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.
1. The Winnipeg Jets played three games last week, collecting points in all three games going 2-0-1 and are now 7-3-3 overall for the season.
2. The Jets have garnered points in seven straight games and a lot of observers don’t think this team has dressed it’s optimal line-up or played its best hockey. I can’t say I disagree.
3. I don’t know about you but I’m already sick and tired of the pissing and moaning by a certain segment of Jets fans about Brandon Tanev and Matt Hendricks. PoMo is PoMo and no matter how much you pout, kick, and scream he’s going to do things his way. I don’t agree with a lot of things Paul Maurice does but I’ve finally learned that no matter how much I yell at the tv he can’t hear me. BTW, my wife pointed that out to me. Wise women.
4. To almost no one’s surprise, the Winnipeg Jets have re-assigned Tucker Poolman to the Manitoba Moose. No doubt the correct decision but I must admit, he showed me more than I expected. Like I always tell anybody who will listen, going to the AHL is not a punishment.
5. Mark Scheifele’s timing is impeccable. Nothing like notching a hatty while Ma and Pa were in the crowd.
6. Kyle Connor is fast.
7. Dustin Byfuglien was clearly interfered with on the GWG versus Montreal on Saturday night and it was a blown call for sure but the Jets had TWO solid opportunities to get the puck out in spite of the blown call. It just wasn’t meant to be.
8. Pet peeve: This past week the Jets had a goal called back on a “coaches challenge” that was iffy at best but Dallas coach, Ken Hitchcock took a chance and was rewarded with a generous call. My question is: Why aren’t all goals reviewed?
9. I had to laugh when during a media scrum last week, Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers was asked about some of the team’s PP struggles and twice the obvious answer could have been …. “well guys if I was on the #1 PP we wouldn’t have those problems.” Wouldn’t that have been a hoot?
10. I think Patrick Laine was being a little hard on himself when he was saying he wasn’t playing very well. I’ll make a couple of excuses for him because I can. His usage has been a little questionable at times and his centerman is awol. All I can say is patience grasshopper. You play on a line with two very good players and the goals and points will come. BTW, after scoring a couple of times this week, Laine has 6 goals in 13 games.
11. After months of rumours, the Colorado Avalanche have finally traded Matt Duchene. It was a three-way deal involving Ottawa and Nashville. Ottawa acquired Duchene and Nashville received Kyle Turris. The Avs received prospects and draft picks. It was actually a pretty good haul but losing your best player for a bunch of “maybes” would be a tough pill to swallow for me. There are no guarantees.
12. Paul Maurice didn’t use his challenge on Andrew Shaw’s goal Saturday night when the puck was clearly hacked out of Helle’s glove. Maybe it’s just me but isn’t that goalie interference? Pomo said in his presser on Sunday that he doesn’t know what a goal is or isn’t anymore and didn’t want to risk burning his challenge that early in the game. (see #8)
13. FYI: Connor Hellebuyck still hasn’t lost a game in regulation this season
14. It makes me a little sad that I won’t be at the Nov. 14 game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Winnipeg Jets. Dale Hawerchuk is being inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame. A banner with Hawerchuk’s name and number will be raised to the rafters at Bell MTS Place and will hang next to the banners of former Jets greats Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. I was a pretty big “Ducky” fan back in the day and it was a sad day for me when he was traded to Buffalo.
15. Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: When you are watching the game from the press box, do you ever feel like throwing the challenge flag or calling the bench to tell Paul Maurice to challenge the play? (see #12)
16. I’ve noticed this season that Patrick Laine is playing with a little more edge in his game. He is not letting opposing players take liberties with him on the ice.
17. The year Steven Stamkos scored 60 goals he played in all 82 games and scored his 60 goals in 44 games. This means he didn’t score a goal in 38 games. This really puts a bit of perspective into the expectations of goal scorers like Patrik Laine and the expectations of fans. How many games does a 20, 30, 40, or a 50 goal scorer not score in? (see #10)
18. I wish Dmitry Kulikov would change his number. Mark Stuart ruined #5 for me.
19. When Mathieu Perreault and Adam Lowry return from their injuries, they actually have the making of a decent bottom six but I doubt Paul Maurice will construct the 3rd and 4th lines like I see them.
Copp – Perreault – Armia/Dano
Tanev – Lowry – Dano/Armia
Chevy might have to risk putting a depth guy on waivers but Matthias, Lemieux, Hendricks, and Tanev can roll in and out of the line-up/roster as needed. The Manitoba Moose are just across the hall. Armia and Dano can flip-flop as well. I would even consider sliding Kyle Connor up and down the left side. Scheifele and Wheeler can carry a different variation of left-wingers and probably wouldn’t skip a beat. (see #2 or #3)
20. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum)
- PP: 7th at 23.3% … up from 23rd at 14.7% last week. (not a misprint)
- PK: 26th at 76.6% … up from 24th at 77.8% last week.
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Thanks, Mitch
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You know who is starting to really impress me? Kulikov. I think he’s been playing very well. And man does he have a wicked wrist shot. I said at the beginning of the year the Jets would be fighting for first place. They are looking pretty good. But the way playoffs were officiated last spring do they have a team that can play through what’s let go in playoffs assuming they officiate the same way?
I think this team is actually built for the playoffs