Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 25

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.

An abbreviated summer edition of my “Random Thoughts”

1. Is there anyone else out there that is wondering where all the supposed offer sheets for Jacob Trouba are?

2. I noticed a couple of teams with analytics gurus in their brain trust still ended up signing defencemen that are supposed Corsi black holes.

3. Last week in “Random Thought #10”, I used the phrase “cushy media jobs”. Most of us on the outside looking in think that being in the media and covering sports for a living would be a dream job but I know it’s not cushy. I shouldn’t have painted all the media with the same brush BUT I will still stand by my thought that there are a few minor media celebrities in this town that would be irrelevant if it wasn’t for the Winnipeg Jets.

4. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I find myself continually needing to urge our rabid fan base to tone it down a notch or two. We get so caught up in the hype with our young prospects and then place unreal expectations on them. In this instance, I’m talking about Jack Roslovic. He had a terrific development camp and now fans have him on the Jets opening night roster. He looked very good against his peers but that camp wasn’t even close to AHL caliber. He is a talented prospect that is still a long way from the NHL right now. Please be patient.

5. One more RFA off the “to do list” for the Winnipeg Jets as they have agreed to terms with forward Brandon Tanev on a one-year, two-way contract worth an NHL AAV of $874,125. I have to admit that in his few games down the stretch last season he showed me a lot more than I expected. I think he will be a nice addition to the Moose.

6. There have been a few fans that have been wondering where Jets prospect, Jack Roslovic will be playing this season if he doesn’t make the big club. There are potentially two options.

A. Right now, Roslovic can be sent down to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose if he doesn’t make the Jets.

B. The London Knights have acquired Roslovic’s OHL rights BUT he has not signed an OHL contract with them yet, although there have been rumours that he might. IF he does, then option “A” is out the window. He either plays in the NHL or the Jets would have to send him to junior unless there is some loophole that I am not aware of.

7. Team USA’s National Junior Evaluation Camp starts this weekend in Plymouth, Michigan and Winnipeg Jets prospects Jack Roslovic and Eric Foley have been invited. It would be nice to see one or both of them make the team as it makes the World Junior Hockey Championships a little more interesting to watch. It’s fun being an armchair scout.

8. As a fan, I hope the Josh Morrissey that helped the Kelowna Rockets in their WHL playoff run two seasons is the player we end up seeing on the Winnipeg Jets blueline within the next couple of years. He was terrific. The reason I mention this is that I was looking at the Jets organisational depth chart and I don’t see a lot of help coming in the near or distant future. Chevy might need to swing a big trade or sign a UFA to find a top four defenceman.

9. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey: 55 days (Sept. 17) in Toronto, Ont. The final rosters of 20 skaters and 3 goalies are posted here >>> Rosters

10. Countdown to the 2016 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic: 91 days (Oct. 23) in Winnipeg, MB.

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