Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind since last Monday —
Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose and the National Hockey League.
1. Ho-hum, another week has come and gone and there is still no news regarding Andrew Ladd or Dustin Byfuglien.
2. The 2015 Young Stars Classic begins this Friday in Penticton, B.C. (see #14 for schedule). TSN 1290 radio will be airing all the Jets games with play-by-play voice Paul Edmonds and analyst Shane Hnidy. The games will also be carried live on JetsTV at www.winnipegjets.com, with Brian Munz doing the play-by-play.
3. I know as fans we like to question some of Kevin Cheveldayoff’s decisions when it comes to signings like Peluso, Halischuk, etc but Paul Maurice obviously has major input in these decisions as well. These type of decisions aren’t made by just one man. How else can you explain it?
4. To view the Winnipeg Jets Young Stars roster click here >>> Jets roster.
5. TNSE announced a $7,500,000, 21,000 square foot expansion to the MTS Iceplex this past week. It sure looks like they are committed to making the Manitoba Moose a permanent fixture in Winnipeg.
6. Is it possible that the Manitoba Moose could actually have a better goaltending tandem than the Winnipeg Jets this season?
7. I wonder if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are looking forward to being out of the local spotlight now with the Young Stars Classic and Winnipeg Jets training camp fast approaching.
8. If Andrew Copp doesn’t win the 4th line center job, who will?
9. For me, the biggest “wildcard” in this year’s training camp will be Ben Chiarot. I really hope he can build on the solid season he had last year but I’m still not totally convinced he is a “lock” for one of the starting jobs on the Jets blueline.
10. I find it amusing how all the hockey experts have the Winnipeg Jets taking a step backwards this season. That’s the easy way out IMO. This team’s success is going to hinge on the continued development of their prospects and building on the foundation that Head Coach Paul Maurice has laid ….. AND like all the other 29 teams in the NHL …… GOALTENDING!
11. Are Nic Petan and Alexander Burmistrov competing for center or winger jobs? (see #8) Hint: there’s no wrong answer!
12. Is it just me or are players born in 1992 just a little too old to be playing in the Young Stars Tournament? (see #4)
13. For the record, I am a big fan of Mark Scheifele but he is #2 on my Jets depth chart at center. Bryan Little is still the #1 center and probably one of the most underrated players in today’s NHL.
14. Countdowns:
A. 2015 Young Stars Classic: 4 days (in Penticton, BC) >>> info and schedule
B. Jets 1st pre-season game: 15 days (vs Minnesota)
C. Jets 1st regular season game: 31 days (at Boston)
D. 2016 World Cup: 375 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)
15. Four years ago today a plane crash claimed the lives of the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team. Forty-four would die in this tragedy and the hockey community still mourns their loss.
16. Winnipeg Hockey Talk is looking for Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose writers AND we would love somebody to cover the Manitoba Bisons as well. If you or somebody you know is interested, please contact us at:
If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. I would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks, Mitch
Use the “Comment Section” below.
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Number 6 caught my attention. It will be an interesting camp in that department!
Number 7: for the life of me I do not know what the hell is with the Bombers. If they do not show a decent effort next game heads will roll IMO!
Jets goaltending should not be a problem in the near future.
Number 6 – Indeed; which relates to Number 10.
I, too, feel that the Jets could very well take a step back this year. Other than Vancouver (he he he) and Arizona, who are in the other Western division, which teams will suck; and, how many teams had ‘off’ years last year that improved their teams in the off-season? St. Louis is hard to read but with Hitch running the show (for one more year), it is difficult to imagine them not being competitive.
Unmentioned was the fact that the veteran/core/leaders, had (near) career years last year – no? Can they repeat?
Like you say, it comes down to goaltending. Pav and Hutch don’t exactly instill confidence on that back-end front. At least there are options if not too late in making a change.
Finally, who will the Jets beat out to get in: Nashville (Rinne), Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, AVs? Tall order to be ahead of 4 of those teams to be a playoff lock.
Once again, it looks like it will, at best, come down to the wire with the hopes of a few more teams in the Pacific division sucking.
I say the Jets are on the outside looking in this year. The good news is that I am usually, completely wrong. Sure hope I am (wrong).
Either way, looking forward to watching some good hockey. I might even buy a TV.
Having a TV would be a good start …. it can be used as a big computer monitor as well.
Exactly the application.
TV ($600) + HDMI ($100) + beer & chicken wings and/or pizza (ahem…$50 each time), Firstrowsports.eu ($0), and a wife rolling her eyes – exasperated (priceless).
😉
is Firstrowsports.eu your best option? once you finally get in it’s okay but do you have to go through a lot of adware screens before you finally get to the game? I haven’t checked it out lately.