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 were the big winners at the NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday night going from the sixth pick overall to the second pick and potentially getting the best player in this year’s draft. (I’m still having a hard time wiping the smile from my face)
2. I wonder how many GMs wish they would have moved on Jonathon Drouin when his was being shopped before the trade deadline. I’m sure he’s still available BUT the price has certainly gone up!
3. I almost puked when Glen Healy compared OV vs Sid to Magic vs Bird on Thursday night. Bird and Magic actually played against each other in THREE epic NBA finals. What have OV and Sid played in?
4. Right now the NHL is experiencing the worst officiating I have ever witnessed in all my years of watching hockey AND the linesman aren’t any better. Dreadful!
5. After watching Patrik Laine’s skype interview on SportsNet before the draft lottery on Saturday night, I wasn’t sure if Daren Millard was interviewing Laine or Jeff Spicoli. For you youngsters out there, Jeff Spicoli was a Sean Penn character in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” … AND if you don’t know who Sean Penn is there is no hope for you, go listen to your Justin Beiber CDs.
6. I can’t help myself when it comes to crapping on Gary Bettman and his band of merry men but they are such idiots. GARY … NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR SHITTY BRACKETS! Because of your brackets and not re-seeding after the first round the #1 seed is playing the #3 seed and the #5 seed is playing the #7 seed in the east. It should be The Capitals vs Islanders with Washington having home-ice AND the Penguins vs Lightning with Pittsburgh having home ice. How does the 5 seed get home-ice? In the west, it’s the same thing. It should be the Stars vs Preds with Dallas having home ice AND the Blues vs Sharks with St. Louis having home-ice. How the hell does St. Louis not have home-ice?
7. Does anybody remember a Winnipeg Jets right-handed Finnish winger that took Winnipeg by storm a couple of decades ago? What was his name? Teemu or something like that?
8. I’d love to see the Winnipeg Jets use that 1st round pick they got in the Andrew Ladd trade to either move up in the draft or acquire a roster player.
9. I guess Bruce Boudreau forgot how to coach or should I say Corey Perry forgot how to score? Sometimes a coach getting fired just isn’t fair.
10. So much for all of the eastern media squawking about Kris Letang being a Norris Trophy candidate … he’s not even a contender for a nomination, never mind winning it. Like I said a couple of weeks ago, the guys out east need to stay up a little later and watch the “big boys” in the Western Conference play a little more. (don’t get me wrong, I actually do like him but I just get tired of the eastern bias in ALL sports)
11. Draft day was going to be an interesting day regardless whether or not the Winnipeg Jets moved up in the draft but now getting the second overall pick and having a second first round pick has certainly given Kevin Cheveldayoff some options to make some moves.
12. There was a collective scream across Canada when Edmonton was named as the fourth pick in the entry the draft. They are still going to get a good player BUT …. you know the rest.
13. I wonder how Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor will look flanking Bryan Little?
14. Try figuring out the Winnipeg Jets four lines now. Ehlers, Scheifele, Wheeler … Connor, Little, Laine … Burmi, Perreault, Stafford … Armia, Lowry, Copp … Dano, Petan, Kosmachuk … Thor? Tanev? De Leo? Peluso? Lipon? It should be a very competitive and interesting training camp.
15. It looks like Patrik Laine (pronounced LINE-AY) is the consensus #2 overall pick by most scouting agencies. Some scouts even think he might challenge Auston Matthews for the #1 overall pick. Maybe, maybe not, but it appears he has pulled away from Jesse Puljujarvi who should go #3.
16. The Jets drafting Laine should make the upcoming World Hockey Championships in Moscow and St. Petersburg a little more interesting. I’m assuming he will be representing Finland and a lot more Winnipeggers will be watch Team Finland games … AND don’t forget Kyle Connor playing for Team USA. ( I will be posting the broadcast schedule soon)
17. I’m okay with the Toronto Maple Leafs getting the #1 overall pick and I’m sure they will select Auston Matthews.
18. Is it just me or does it seem like the linesmen and referees are in the way an awful lot during these playoffs?
19. There is no hope in hell that the Chicago Blackhawks offer Andrew Ladd a contract for next season, hometown discount or not. He’d have to play for free. The Hawks need to re-sign Andrew Shaw and Artemi Panarin has a big performance bonus kicking in, so Ladd is SOL.
20. It is 139 days (Sept. 17) until the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. The final rosters to be posted on June 1.
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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
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I get this feeling that come draft day, the Leafs will use pick #1 for Laine.
Also, it’s probably way too early to be tossing out trade garbage but I would like to see Trouba go to Edmonton, Player TBD from Edmonton to NYI, and Hamonic to the Jets. A cozy little 3 way and I must say I’ve been very impressed with Hamonic’s defensive talent in the playoffs.
I can’t see the Leafs passing on a center but the upcoming WHC in Russia should be the final proving ground for the top picks.
#10 My 3 Norris candidates were Letang, Doughty, Burns. Sorry Mitch
#15 I am DEFINITELY in the minority but I like Tkachuk at 3rd pick instead of Puljujarvi. Think he is better suited to the smaller ice and NHL phisical game.
Letang is actually one of my faves BUT I have him as a “top 10” and not a “top 3”. He has been a “top 3” in the playoffs which might have started the eastern media Norris talk.