Odds and Ends about 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.
UPDATE: The Winnipeg Jets have reassigned Brendan Lemieux to the Manitoba Moose. It looks like Mathieu Perreault is ready to return to the line-up. The big question is who comes out? Matt Hendricks or Shawn Matthias OR somebody else?
1. The Winnipeg Jets played three games last week, going 2-1-0 and are now 9-4-3 overall for the season.
2. Although their record would suggest the Winnipeg Jets are off to a terrific start, I still feel compelled to bitch about Paul Maurice today. I don’t know why, well actually I do. It boggles my mind how he has Nik Ehlers on the bench during their powerplay. Ehlers is a #1 unit guy on EVERY team in the NHL except for the team he plays for. He has Joel Armia on the Jets #2 unit. Armia has done nothing to deserve that carrot.
3. Mark Scheifele notched his 100th goal in the NHL on Saturday night against the Coyotes and it was a big one. After a sluggish start in this game, the top line eventually showed up and was the difference in a 4-1 victory.
4. The Jets learned the hard way that you better be prepared to work when you play the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights absolutely schooled them on Friday night in Las Vegas. The Jets had the Lowry line and Josh Morrissey show up. The Scheifele line was absolutely horrific and their play was inexcusable. Your captain and your top center can’t go awol like that ever. Some nights you don’t have it and that’s ok but to get outworked in every facet of the game was very disappointing to watch. Tsk, tsk but I’ll cut them a little slack since they’re the only line that has consistently scored this season.
5. I still don’t know how Kyle Connor wasn’t good enough to start the season with the Jets but yet he goes straight from the AHL to the #1 powerplay unit. He should be on the second powerplay unit. (see #2)
6. I guess there’s a reason teams are willing to trade prospects like Marko Dano and Joel Armia. They see what others don’t but we’re all seeing it now. That’s why I constantly say that I’ll take the known rather than gamble on the unknown when trading.
7. Since Patrik Laine claimed that hockey was hard for him and he wasn’t very confident, he has scored in five straight games. He now has 9 goals in 16 games. What a bum.
8. Pet peeve: I have a problem with the NHL and it’s officials enforcement of goal crease violations. I realize that if the puck is in the crease a player can go in and get it. I’m okay with that. I’m not okay with Zack Rinaldo’s goal on Saturday night. He was camped in the middle of the crease with no intention of trying to get out and Alex Goligoski’s shot banked in off Rinaldo’s leg. WHY IS THAT A GOOD GOAL GARY?
9. I can’t remember if or when I’ve actually said this but the Winnipeg Jets special teams were the difference in their win versus Arizona on Saturday night. PP: 1 for 2 …. PK: 4 for 4
10. The Manitoba Moose dropped the first and last games of their six-game road trip but managed a solid 4-2-0-0 road trip and have an overall record of 8-5-1-1.
11. Jack Roslovic is having a nice start to his season with 17 points in 15 games. Will he be a regular next season? Is he ahead of Nic Petan?
12. How come the Moose don’t play in Tucson this season? I don’t get enough hockey down here with Coyotes and Jets games in person or on tv. I’m actually taking in a couple ASU games next weekend.
13. FYI: After mopping up for Helle in the third period in Las Vegas on Friday night, Steve Mason got the start on Saturday versus the Arizona Coyotes and posted his first win of the season. He actually played extremely well and held the Jets in the game after another slow start by his team. After the game, he looked relieved. He is now officially one of the guys. Congrats Steve.
14. Defenceman Jan Kostalek has slid further down the depth chart after being assigned to Jacksonville of the ECHL.
15. Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: Have you ever asked Paul Maurice why Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers has been relegated to the second unit powerplay? (see #2)
16. The Arizona Coyotes had their second biggest crowd of the season (16,078) thanks to the 3000-4000 Jets fans that made the trip to Nevada and Arizona and took in one or both games. My section was 80% Winnipeg Jets fans.
17. Has anybody seen Bryan Little? Asking for a couple of kids (#29 and #27).
18. The Adam Lowry, Andrew Copp, and Brandon Tanev line played pretty well on this 3-game road trip. They didn’t have a lot to show for their efforts on the scoreboard but they had some decent zone time, they competed hard, and they were the ONLY line that showed up for all three road games.
19. I guess it’s time to level with everyone. The reason I complain about PoMo’s usage of #27 is that I have him in one of my fantasy keeper leagues and he is costing me points. It irritates the hell out of me that Kyle College is on the first unit. There … I said it.
20. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum)
- PP: 6th at 24.1% … up from 7th at 23.3% last week. (not a misprint) It would probably be in 1st if Ehlers was on it!
- PK: 26th at 78.0% … up from 26th at 76.6% last week. Same rank but a slightly better percentage.
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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
Use the “Comment Section” below.
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Hey Mitch,
It is completely and utterly beyond me why PoMo doesn’t have Ehlers on the PP. Irritates the bleep out of me. His first year in Halifax, he and Jo Drouin were lineys on the PP and it was a thing of beauty. On a PP unit, Ehlers on the point is what you want. Just my thoughts.
You’re not the only one that thinks this way …. could you imagine Pittsburgh saving Kessel or Malkin for the second unit?