Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Dec. 25

Odds and Ends on the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL –

Some random facts and a few thoughts about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League.

1.  I would like to wish all of our loyal WHT readers and all Winnipeg Jets’ fans a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  For the rest of you, I hope you had a Happy Festivus (Dec. 23). 

2.  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-1-1 in their three road games last week and now have an overall record of 20-11-6 for the season. 

3.  The 2018 WJC starts tomorrow (Boxing day) and there will be three players of interest for Winnipeg Jets fans to keep an eye on when they’re not watching Team Canada.  Defenceman, Dylan Samberg will be representing Team USA, goaltender, Mikhail Berdin will be one of the three goaltenders for Team Russia, and forward Kristian Vesalainen will be playing for Team Finland.

4.  The Manitoba Moose played two home games versus San Antonio this past week and won them both extending their points streak to an impressive sixteen games.  Their overall record is now at 23-5-1-2 for the season.  They are currently FIRST overall in the AHL with a winning percentage of .790. 

5.  It seems like I’ve mentioned this more than once recently and I must admit I’m a little concerned but I’ve been extremely disappointed in the play and work ethic of the Scheifele/Wheeler/Connor line the past couple of weeks.  I’m sure it’s only a blip on the radar but I see what I see and the blip is getting a little bigger.

6.  The Spengler Cup also starts on Boxing Day in Davos, Switzerland.  I love this tournament and always watch it but this year it has a little more significance as this Team Canada could closely resemble our Olympic team in February.        

7.  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is one of the most dynamic wingers in the league IMO.  He is one of a handful of players that is actually as fast with the puck as he is without it. 

8.  Pet peeve:  Listening to hockey pundits that don’t watch the Winnipeg Jets on a night-to-night basis gush about certain players.  The latest instance for me was about Jacob Trouba.  He really hasn’t been anything to write home about this season.  For me, he has just been okay.  

9.  Buff watch:  It looks like Dustin Byfuglien is still a couple of weeks away from returning from his LBI.  Funny how you don’t know what you’re missing until it’s gone. 

10.  I’m not sure a Tucker Poolman/Ben Chiarot pairing is a very effective way to break in a rookie rearguard AND especially when you don’t have the last line change on the road.  This pairing had some tough moments and were really exposed.  How about Myers/Chiarot and Poolman/Kulikov?   

BTW … Congrats to Tucker Poolman on scoring his first NHL goal on Saturday afternoon versus the N. Y. Islanders.

11.  After just thirty-seven games so far this season, the Winnipeg Jets will have already played half of their road games and their weird schedule continues with them playing another eight road games in their next thirteen.  If my gazintas are correct, they will have played twenty-nine road games in their first fifty leaving them with a very favourable home schedule from February to the end of the season.  More home games and less travel could make for a very interesting finish for the home team especially the way they are playing at Bell MTS Place.    

12.  I must be getting old because I’m actually glad the NHL has a mandated break in the schedule at Christmas.  I feel sorry for the families of NFL and NBA players that won’t be all together on Christmas day.  I applaud Gary Bettman and the NHL for resisting the temptation to play games during the holidays.  (Yes, I actually gave Count Chocula some props.  It’s not a typo.)        

13.  FYI:  The NHL’s holiday roster freeze will be lifted on Wednesday, Dec. 27.  I have a feeling Chevy might be doing a little tweaking in the next week or so.  

14.  Marko ………………………………………………………………………………………… Dano.

15.  Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff:  Since Jack Roslovic isn’t just a center anymore and he is playing very well, I wonder if his new-found versatility has tempted you to call him up for a look-see?  He might actually be too good for the AHL right now.  It’s not like Joel Armia is setting the house on fire!

16.  I know PoMo is going to do what PoMo is going to do but I see no reason why he can’t get Marko Dano into a game here and there.  It’s not like the Winnipeg Jets are a perfect team and every player is irreplaceable.  I don’t like any player rotting away in the press box especially younger players.  Players gotta play. 

17.  It’s a good thing the Jets are a solid 19-11 in regulation time because they suck at “gimmick time”.  They have one win in seven attempts at the “bonus point”.  Yuck.    

18.  I have no complaints about the play of the Lowry/Copp/Tanev line.  They have been the Winnipeg Jets most consistent line for quite some time now.  They aren’t flashy and they don’t score a lot BUT they show up and compete every night.  When this line is the Jets fourth line, they will probably be a team challenging for divisional and conference titles.              

19. Goaltending:

• Conner Hellebuyck:  18-4-5 … 2.44 GAA … .920 SV%       
• Steve Mason:  2-6-1 … 3.47 GAA … .899 SV%

20.  Special Teams:  Rule of thumb.  Have the two red numbers total at least 100% when added.  (as your minimum) 

• PP:  4th at 25.10% … down from 3rd from 25.40% last week.    
• PK:  20th at 79.70% … down from 20th at 79.83% last week.  

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Hockey Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]  

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL and Winnipeg High School.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know.  We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch 

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