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 ended up 0-2-1 on the week and are 25-29-4 overall. 33 loses in 58 games. NOT good.
2. According to Sports Club Stats: After going 0-2-1 this week, the Jets odds of playing in the postseason were at 1.5% at the end of play on Sunday night. The odds of getting Auston Matthews are much, much higher.
3. I wonder how Gary Bettman feels about no Canadian teams currently being in a playoff position.
4. I would think by now most Jets fans have come to the realization that Winnipeg are going to be a lottery team and that’s it’s going to be tough watching them lose more that they win down the stretch but, in the long run, it could turn out ok.
5. How many games do I have to watch the Winnipeg Jets score only ONE goal and hear how well they played. Scoring one goal isn’t good enough 90% of the time. Last time I checked hockey was a “goal oriented” business. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
6. I wonder how many “sick days” will be used on Feb. 29th. (see #18)
7. It was about time Paul Maurice finally flipped his lid. Keeping in all that pent-up frustration can’t be healthy
8. Andrew Ladd’s recent play sure has a lot of Winnipeg fans flip-flopping on his future.
9. The talk of tanking has been in the conversation for the last couple of years but this is usually not the norm. Outside of McDavid/Eichel, last year and Matthews this year there really haven’t been very many “tankable” (I know there’s no such word) drafts so it’s probably much ado about nothing.
10. Do you remember at the start of this season when I mentioned that the Manitoba Moose might have better goaltending than the Winnipeg Jets? You can remove the word might from that statement.
11. It’s happening again. Jets fans are getting too hyped up about another prospect. Now it’s Kyle Connor. He is having a terrific season in Michigan but now the Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin comparisons are starting. Relax people.
12. The Manitoba Moose are playing some decent hockey of late and in their last eight games, they are 5-1-1-1. Not bad eh?
13. Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is one of the lightest forwards on the Jets but yet he’s willing to go wide on a defenceman and cut hard to the net creating a scoring chance or drawing a penalty while our other big, fast, strong, power forwards choose to skate in circles like a bunch of figure skaters. Talk about NOT going into the greasy areas. I’m a big fan of Mr. Nikolaj Ehlers!
14. BTW, Kyle Connor has tallied 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points in only 28 games. These are very impressive numbers for this league and especially for a freshman. (see #11)
15. On a totally unrelated topic, does Tiger Woods still play golf?
16. Things that make you go hmmm?: I’m still 50/50 on whether Anton Stralman could have avoided the hit on Brian Little but I can’t excuse the attempted knee on knee versus Nik Ehlers. How would the referees and the league have reacted if that was Dustin Byfuglien?
17. Winnipeg Jets Special teams update:
PK: 27th at 77.9% up from 28th at 77.8% last week.
PP: 26th at 16.7% up from 28th at 16.1% last week.
18. Countdown to the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline: NEXT MONDAY (Feb. 29)
19. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup: 209 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto) Preliminary rosters must be posted a week next Wednesday.
20. For an explanation of No-Trade Clauses and No-Movement Clauses and the NHL players that have them you can get that info here >>> NTC and NMC
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Thanks, Mitch
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Luckily, I don’t need to use a sick day next Monday but as usual I will be in front of the TV all Monday until deadline time.
nice …. it’s a big day that has an impact in many fantasy leagues as well LOL
9. I think we should tank next year too for Nolan Patrick – kidding of course, but how good we he look playing for his hometown team
Last year was the ONLY year I’d endorse an all-out tank … finishing last guaranteed you either McDavid or Eichel … you won’t ever see that again.
#8 I wish Ladd well for whomever he plays for next season. He may have played this year with some sort of injury but that said, I don’t think he warrants more than a 3 year deal… of course he wouldn’t bite on that – someone will pay him. I also think he has shown more drive the past 6 games than the entire season prior to that.
I’d offer him a 5 year deal but no 7-8 year deals
7. Hmmm, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of Paul Maurice. I really haven’t seen what I think is the most important ability for a coach in “today’s game”: the ability to make in-game adjustments. In fact, we’ve had to suffer through a lot of same old, same old.
8. Hmmm, it’s kind of damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Ladd is the type of player that shortens their career by playing the style they do. They deserve something more, relative to soft players, but what exactly that ‘more’ is, I don’t know.
10. Yep, I recall. And, I agreed with you (at that time, and at this time, too).
13. Yep, Ehlers is great. Needs to continue to play with talent though.
16. I haven’t watched too many replays but to lay a hit (though he did turn his body to use his side) on a guy so vulnerable kind of makes me cringe. Easy to judge (speaking about myself) from the sofa.
Paul Maurice was an upgrade over Claude Noel but he is basically a .500 coach BUT has tons of experience … he is a little old school and based on some of his line-up decisions, he is stubborn or too loyal.