Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind —
Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League.
1. The Winnipeg Jets had a pretty good week going 3-1-0. The most impressive part was that they won back-to-back road games on the weekend against the Central Division’s top two teams. Their record is now 13-13-2. They currently hold down the last wild-card position BUT the teams right below them have games in hand.
2. I’ve never understood the rationale for a high-sticking penalty being 2 minutes or four minutes based on whether the offended player is bleeding or not. If it looks like it’s accidental then give the offender two minutes. If it was deemed to be malicious or with bad intentions make it four minutes or a five-minute major. It’s embarrassing watching grown men squeezing their wound trying to squeeze a drop of blood to show the referee. Is there any honour left in Gary Bettman’s NHL?
*I actually wrote this thought before Sunday’s game versus Chicago. Then what happens? Jacob Trouba takes a four-minute high-sticking penalty with three minutes left versus Chicago on Sunday night. It was accidental but he drew blood so he got a double-minor. It makes no sense.
3. I think most of us knew this season was going to be a roller coaster ride but after watching the Western Conference closely this past month I’m not convinced a healthy Winnipeg Jets team can’t compete for a playoff position. I truly believe this team has the talent. I will overstate the obvious that it will take consistent goaltending and improved special teams.
4. Poll question:
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UPDATE:
This afternoon, Winnipeg Jets prospects Jack Roslovic and Erik Foley have been named to the preliminary roster for the 2017 U.S. National Junior Team. This is not the final roster so vote accordingly.
5. While watching Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine, Josh Morrissey, Jacob Trouba, and Connor Hellebuyck develop right before our eyes, I sure hope Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Toby Enstrom, and Tyler Myers are still relevant when the kids get close to their peak. Otherwise, all the Winnipeg Jets have done is waste the prime years of most of their core and then as the kids turn into the new core they wait for the next wave. Like a mouse on a treadmill. This is my greatest fear as a Jets fan.
6. For fans outside of Winnipeg that think Patrik Laine is just a shooter, I hope they get a chance to see the play he made on Bryan Little’s OT winner in St. Louis. He can dish it too.
7. When was the last time Mathieu Perreault actually did something? I like MP but I like goals and assists even better.
8. I had to laugh when Paul Romanuk called Jordan Tootoo a heavyweight after his fight with Chris Thorburn AND what are the odds of Jordan Tootoo who wears 22 fighting Chris Thorburn who also wears 22 at the 2:22 mark of the period?
9. Why was Jacob Trouba caught up the ice on the Hawks tying goal? The Jets already had a 3-on-1 AND the score was 1-0 late in the third? WHY? WHY? WHY?
10. Watching Patrik Laine snipe those two goals versus the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night sure took the sting out of a crappy loss.
11. Welcome back Bryan Little. Winnipeg fans all know that Little is probably the best-kept secret in the NHL and we were quite happy to get him back in the line-up but who would have expected him to jump in like he never skipped a beat. He has scored goals in three consecutive games and has four points in four games.
12. Poll question:
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13. Jordan Martinook of the Arizona Coyotes might be the best penalty killer in the NHL.
14. Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: When Tyler Myers returns from the IR the Winnipeg Jets will have five NHL defencemen. Do you think you could go out and acquire a sixth and give this team a chance to make a playoff run? Ben Chiarot can then become the swingman while Paul Postma and Mark Stuart can join the popcorn brigade. Just a thought Chevy.
15. Is it possible to like the way a goaltender played but yet hate the goals he let in? That’s exactly how I felt about Hutch on Saturday night in St. Louis.
16. Bryan Little finally gets back into the line-up and now Mark Scheifele gets banged up. The hockey gods can be cruel.
17. Adam Lowry, Marko Dano, and Andrew Copp had their best game of the season Sunday night in Chicago. It was nice to see their hard work pay off with Copp’s game winner.
18. The numbers:
Connor Hellebuyck: GAA – 2.67 … SV% – .911 … 2 shutouts
Michael Hutchinson: GAA – 3.05 … SV% – .898 … 1 shutout
19. When the time comes I hope Kyle Connor makes the most of his time in the AHL and learns the nuances of being a pro and competing in all three zones of the ice. There is nothing wrong with playing in the AHL while you hone your craft. I maintained all along that the jump from the NCAA to the NHL is a major step even for special players. I’m very interested to see how he handles it. He need not look any further than Jack Roslovic.
Editors note:
Kyle Connor hadn’t been officially re-assigned to the Manitoba Moose, the Winnipeg Jets took him on their two-game road trip because of Mark Scheifele’s injury. Paul Maurice confirmed today on Hockey Central At Noon that Scheifele has a “lower-body’ injury and not an “upper-body” injury I reported earlier.
20. Special Teams:
PP: 17th at 15.9% …. up from 22nd at 14.6% last week. I don’t think it takes a genius to figure out that setting up a Patrik Laine one-timer on his off wing is the secret to success for the Jets PP. Those two PP goals versus Edmonton were worth the price of admission.
PK: 24th at 79.6% …. up from 25th at 75.9% last week. The Jets PK got schooled on Thursday against the Oilers but then rebounded nicely in St. Louis and Chicago on the weekend.
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Thanks, Mitch
Use the “Comment Section” below.
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Re: the polls.
I have another: Did Chris Thorburn just score his last NHL goal?
My god, as per the replay, it looked like he almost missed the net.
This team will be very relevant in the next 2 or 3 years.
This team could be very good, especially if they get goaltending.