Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 4

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned. 

1. Jets:  I want to get excited about some of the performance’s in the pre-season games but I’m going to temper my optimism because the games have been filled with a lot of AHL players but in saying that I thought Jansen Harkins, Cole Perfetti, and Evgeny Svchnikov have looked good.  Conversely, I thought Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler looked like they could hardly wait for the regular season to start.    

2. Jets:  Update for Jets fans wanting to attend training camp, the IcePlex will be open to watching practice but there are rules. 

• Fans will be allowed to into the rinks to watch. 
• Seating will be limited. to 250 people max per rink.
• Spectators need to be fully vaccinated and have proof  (QR code or physical card) and one piece of government-issued photo ID.

3. Jets:  Jansen Harkins has looked poised and more like a veteran so far this season and is a lock for a roster spot.  I’m a little biased because I’ve always liked him but in this case, I believe my optimism for him is deserved. 

4. Jets:  I’ll be surprised if Evgeny Svechnikov isn’t on the Winnipeg Jets opening night roster.  Svech might be the steal of this summer’s UFA market.  

5. NHL:  Duncan Keith hasn’t quite grasped the concept that the NHLPA’s job is to protect its members and not selfish individuals.  Getting vaccinated and protecting the rest of the league’s membership is exactly what the NHLPA is mandating.  ME ME ME ME … I’M SICK OF IT.

From Jim Parsons at the Hockey Writers

Duncan Keith elaborated on why he ultimately decided to get the shot, he said he felt pressure from the NHLPA to adhere to the rules to play. Had he not been essentially forced into getting the vaccine, he made it sound like he wouldn’t have. In the end, he realized he’d have missed too much time and couldn’t have been part of the team had he not gone with the program. “It is what it is he said.” He added it would have been nice to get some more support and push back from the NHLPA for players who were making that personal choice.

DUNCAN, the union did show their support, for the other 98% of the membership.  

6. Jets:  FYI:  Nate Schmidt is an elite skater.   

7. Jets:  Upcoming events.

Oct. 6 – Pre-season game vs Calgary (TSN 3)

Oct. 13 – First regular-season game at Anaheim.

Oct. 21 – Home opener vs Anaheim.

8. Jets:  I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Riley Nash so far this season.  He is a bottom-six forward but seems to have more offensive upside than the departed Trevor Lewis or Nate Thompson.  I believe I’m mentioned this previously but he is only a couple of years removed from a 41 point (15G and 26A) in 76 games season. 

       

9. Jets:  Going into camp most Winnipeg Jets fans think this is the biggest talking point.

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10. Jets: 

• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 
• I promise I won’t pick on Kyle Connor. 

11. NHL:  As usual the NHL implements a new rule and the officials overreact and feel obligated to call it without using any common sense.  I’m in full agreement in calling the hard cross-checks but half the ones I’ve seen called were barely love taps.  C’mon NHL.   

12. Jets:  Mikey Eyssimont has opened a few eyes with his play and I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays on the Manitoba Moose.  He may not ever be an NHLer but he could be a nice pick-up for the Moose.

13. Jets:  I thought last night’s game in Vancouver was Ville Heinola’s best of the pre-season.  I know Paul Maurice has a thing for Nate Beaulieu but I put Heinola ahead of Nate.   

14. Jets:  I don’t care that it’s only pre-season but Kyle Connor might be one of the laziest hockey players I’ve ever watched in a Winnipeg Jets jersey.  (see #10)  

15. Jets:  Mikhail Berdin had an early blip in his first start of the pre-season vs the Nucks Sunday night but I thought he was pretty solid overall.  He gives me a lot more hope for the future than Eric Comrie.  (see #9)

16. Jets:  David Gustafsson may or may not stick with the big club but I would keep him just for his face-off prowess.  He is a beast in the circle and a pretty good hockey player to boot.   

17. Jets:  Kristian Veslalainen has had an up and down pre-season and is still on the bubble according to some experts but I prefer him over a guy like Dominic Toninato.     

18.  Jets:  My forwards are in no particular order based on a 23 man roster with 14 forwards, 7 dmen, and 2 goalies but there is a possibility the Jets could start the season with a 22-man roster for salary cap reasons.

Mark Scheifele … Pierre-Luc Dubois … Adam Lowry … David Gustafsson

Kyle Connor … Andrew Copp … Paul Stastny … Jansen Harkins

Blake Wheeler … Nikolaj Ehlers … Riley Nash … Evgeny Svechnikov

Kristian Vesalainen  

If the Jets go with a 23 man roster the last spot will be between Cole Perfetti, Dominic Toninato or Nate Beaulieu.  As much as I’d like to see Perfetti make the roster there is no rush and he will probably be better served playing big minutes in the AHL to start the season.  I’m not sure how much time Perfetti plays with the MOOSE but it probably won’t be very long.

19. Jets:  My defencemen are in no particular order based on a 23 man roster with 14 forwards, 7 dmen, and 2 goalies but there is a possibility the Jets could start the season with a 22-man roster for salary cap reasons.

Nate Schmidt … Dylan DeMelo … Neal Pionk

Josh Morrissey … Ville Heinola … Logan Stanley … Brendan Dillon

20. CFL:  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are 7-1 after spanking the BC Lions in Vancouver on Friday night.  The Bombers dominated every facet of the game and are easily the class of the league to date. 

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In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

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Thanks, Mitch