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. ICYMI or as normal people not on Twitter would say, in case you missed it, the Winnipeg Jets named their captains this past week and to absolutely nobody’s surprise, Blake Wheeler will be wearing the “C”. The Jets named two alternates or assistants and in a bit of a surprise “Big Buff” will be donning an “A” along with Mark Scheifele. Great choices in my opinion.
2. It should be fun watching our Winnipeg Jets players participate in the World Cup and I hope they all do well but my biggest concern is that they ALL return healthy for the regular season.
3. It has been stated more than once and from different players that Dustin Byfuglien is the straw that stirs the drink in the Jets dressing room even though he never wore a letter so some were surprised he was named an alternate captain but I had a feeling he might be named. Big Buff isn’t exactly the most talkative player when it comes to post-game interviews but maybe his new 5-year commitment to the team lead to him accepting the “A”. (see #1)
@WiebeSunSports I think Buff accepts an “A”
— Winnipeg Hockey Talk (@WpgHockTalk) August 31, 2016
4. Was anybody else a “Little” surprised that “Bryan” wasn’t named an alternate captain for the Jets? Pun intended.
5. I have to admit that I am really pissed off at the NHL for their lack of information about the mailing and/or arrival of the “Heritage Classic” tickets. Is mail the only choice? Are they being emailed so we can print them? The Winnipeg Jets aren’t responsible for the issuing of these tickets since this is an NHL gig and the NHL’s response’s have been non-existent. WELL DONE GARY! Why am I surprised? You know I can’t resist taking a shot at the NHL’s grand poobah even if it’s not his fault!
6. In last week’s poll question, we asked Jets fans if Jacob Trouba should play in the World Cup of Hockey without an NHL contract and 70% of the voters felt he shouldn’t and I agree.
7. The Hockey Writers named every NHL team’s worst contract for the 2016-17 season and Toby Enstrom was their choice for the Winnipeg Jets. Two more years at $5,750,000. Discuss.
8. Don’t be surprised if Oakbank’s Quinton Howden opens some eyes at Jets training camp in a couple of weeks.
9. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey: 13 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: 49 days (Oct. 23) in Winnipeg, MB.
Download our new “FREE” Winnipeg Hockey Talk mobile phone app for Android users here >>>> WHT app
We are looking at a couple of designs for a WHT Podcast t-shirt. Please give us your feedback. We would like to have a tee-shirt design in place and available for purchase sometime this summer.
Loading ...
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Hockey Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL and Winnipeg High School.
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.
*
Enstrom the worst contract? Bwahahahahaha
Enstrom may be a little over compensated but he contributes very possitive results. The Jets and and his team mates are better when he is on the ice. Go look at his stats if you doubt my veracity. On the other hand, Pavelec, Stuart and Stafford are all overpaid and negatively impact their team mates and the team. Dump those three boat anchors and the team has eleven million in contract space to replace them with players who can contribute and enhance the team instead of dragging it down. In fact the Jets have the tallent depth to replace them with players already under contract and still have 11mill in newly freed cap space to play with. The Jets could be a far better team if Chevy would just do some “addition by subtraction”.
I agree BUT if Toby was right-handed this would be a much different conversation
Start adding the “if” factor and every conversation would be much different. No?
Is Toby overpaid? You bet. But the stats all say the Jets are a better team for his contribution. I just think that picking on Toby is a dangerous distraction from putting the focus on the overpaid five or six players who demonstrably make the team worse and despite having better talent in the system, are still played.
Starting a pointless “pecking party” on Toby would be just the smoke screen Chevy would love so he can keep Stu on the third pairing and not in the press box or on the Moose where he belongs.
the only way Stu gets pushed into the press box is if Josh takes that job … I’m really looking forward to camp to see if Josh is ready … the Jets are pumping out young forward prospects left and right BUT nothing on the back end.
I think Morrissey should get it. Both Morrissey and Postma are better D men than Stu. But then again, if you pop riveted skates on a traffic cone it would be stiff competition for Stuart. Postma is a potentially sound 3rd pairing talent if he could just get enough ice time to get acclimatised. He has good underlying numbers. Giving Morrissey and Postma the 3rd pairing and sheltered exposure would certainly have its painful moments but at least they would be trending up and this would be a good year to make that sacrifice as I don’t realistically see the Jets making a Cup run.
The thing that scares me is I would almost swear that Chevy signed Brian Strait just to make Stu look good. And to a one way contract no less.
I could not be in more agreement regarding the Jets defensive pipeline. Given the three to five years it takes for most defenceman to go from the draft to NHL ready I am quite surprised the Jets did not focus more on drafting D prospects four or five years back. Considering Chevy played defence back in the day one would have expected building a solid foundation at D would have been his strong suit, go figure. The Jets may have to look at swapping some forward prospects for young D men in development.