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 Heritage Classic weekend is over and I’m not sure what game was more popular with the fans; the Alumni game or the real NHL game? Both were great but beating the Oilers in the Alumni game was pretty awesome!
2. Down 4-0 against the Toronto Maple Leafs last Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets performed another Houdini act and came from behind for the second time this season, winning 5-4 in overtime … AGAIN.
3. Patrik Laine’s hat trick against the Leafs couldn’t have been scripted any better. First overall pick versus the second overall pick and the #1 gets robbed on a breakaway in OT and the #2 snipes the winner seconds later on a two-on-one AND for the “hat trick”. You can’t make this stuff up.
4. So far, not so good for our Winnipeg Jets. I know it’s early but it’s a new team with new players but the same old problems. No goaltending, no powerplay, and can’t win faceoffs.
5. I think Paul Maurice is losing it. I’m definitely not one of the many Drew Stafford haters BUT I don’t see him as a guy I would have on my powerplay. As important as it is selecting the players for a hockey team, determining their usage is even more important. Early on, I’m not impressed with anything Paul Maurice is doing right now. Maybe being away at the World Cup of Hockey and missing most of the Jets training camp has something to do with this.
6. Kyle Connor is NOWHERE close to being a regular at the NHL level. It’s time for him to go to the Manitoba Moose and play some meaningful minutes and get used to playing on the small ice. Maybe in the AHL he’ll realize that there is hitting, play along the boards, and in the corners. You cannot succeed as a perimeter player in the NHL. So much for my ten-game window, I’ve seen enough.
7. Dustin Byfuglien is already logging way too much ice-time.
8. I know Paul Maurice and the Jets have this dream of being a fast, high scoring team but they had better learn to play TEAM defence first. Right now, their neutral zone play is horrible.
9. I think the NHL schedule maker should be shot with a ball of his own S**T. I would like somebody, anybody to explain the rationale of playing a game in Dallas and then back to Winnipeg for another game with Dallas AND then the next night play in Denver. REALLY? Then, back home for a game versus Buffalo. Nice work GARY … once again.
10. Is it my imagination or is Toby Enstrom shooting the puck a lot more this season?
11. Those Winnipeg Jets Heritage Classic jerseys were sweet. I hope we get to see them a lot more as the Jets “Third Jersey”.
12. My Jeopardy moment:
Answer: “2016 Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg will be delayed because of sunshine”.
Question: “What is something Winnipeggers would have never have thought possible in 1996”.
13. Although the Jets third and fourth lines look better on paper this season they really haven’t done squat on the scoreboard. Hopefully, they get it going and sooner rather than later.
14. Cam Talbot was the difference in the Oilers victory yesterday, especially early in the game. The Oilers finally have a goalie.
15. Although the Jets would never admit it, I have a funny feeling that this season is all about playing the young guys, giving Hutch and Helle lots of playing time and damn the results. They do have a potential lottery pick just down the road in Brandon.
16. So far I’ve been extremely underwhelmed by Connor Hellebuyck’s play and I’m not just saying that because I’m on record as being a Hutch fan.
17. I like that in Scott Oake’s interview with Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers he called him Nik a couple of times. Maybe he didn’t get Scott Brown’s memo or maybe he just figured screw the memo.
18. The Heritage Classic visuals of IGF looked stunning on tv and I’m not just saying that because I’m a homer. It looked much better than most of the other outdoor venues. The NHL did a nice job in Winnipeg. Well done GARY!
I bet you didn’t see that coming did you?
19. Is anybody going to Tucson in November for the Manitoba Moose’s two-game series versus the Roadrunners?
20. BTW, if Wayne Gretzky ended up in Winnipeg there is no way that he and Dale Hawerchuk would have ever played together. If Gretzky would have been a Jet in those early years, they wouldn’t have been bad enough to get Dave Babych or Ducky.
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Thanks, Mitch
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Totally agree on Conner, and Buff playing way too many minutes. Maurice seems awfully stubborn with his systems. PP and PK systems just don’t work at this level.
yup … I wish fans would stop seeing the AHL as a punishment … Kyle Connor has NHL speed BUT that’s it right now … playing in that weak Big 10 Conference and then jumping the the NHL’s Western Conference is a huge step.
#5 The Jet’s masterminds have determined that this year’s version of the Jets will be made up of youth from the last few year’s draft. This is fine but if that is the choice, do it like Toronto did it last year. Get rid of the Stuarts, the Postmas, the Enstroms, and bring out the kids. Not going to be much worse than the current crop. AND.. there are a lot of teams with injured goalies looking for a sub.. Pavalec seems to be a prime candidate except for the fact that he is playing for the Moose on a 3-4 $M contract. Blow him off for whatever you can get.. prospects – young studs… doesn’t make much of a difference if the Jets pay a substantial portion of his contract in a trade. I don’t imagine they want to pay him big bucks to be the man in the net for the Moose.
I agree … if you’re going to turn the page then just turn the page … I think they can win with this group BUT they need a defensive system that EVERYBODY commits to … right now the compete level is lacking up and down the lineup.