October 5 Random Thoughts on Jets Talk

October 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Welcome to Jets Hockey Talk’s post-game report with Mitch Kasprick, as he looks at the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY from the Winnipeg Jets game last night.

Please join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a more in-depth discussion of these Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League on our new WHT YouTube channel here >>>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk  LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.  

This week’s YouTube show

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a look at the opening night roster and viewer questions.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have played 2 games and have earned 3 points in the standings.  Not a bad start.

2. Jets:  Poll Question:

What should Chevy do now that Helle is officially a “holdout”?

3. Jets:  Nice touch for Tyrel Bauer to have his WHL billets from Seattle attending his NHL debut.

4. Jets:  Last season KC had 5 powerplay goals, but this year he already has 3 in just 5 games.  How do you explain that?

5. Jets:  I don’t understand why Lowry plays on OT, and I’m not the only one based on my X timeline.

6. Jets:  I have to admit I was a little disappointed that Brayden Yager was assigned to the Manitoba Moose to get to their 23-man limit, but I get it.  We’ve seen this before.

From Scott Arniel:

“He’s an NHL player.  The numbers game, for now, necessitated a tough decision.   We expect Yager to play a role with the team this season.”

7. Jets:  Adam Lowry lost every faceoff in the Jets’ end on the PK.   He was 0 for 6.

8. Jets:  Any time the Jets were in trouble, it seemed to be a result of something Dylan DeMelo had done.

9. Jets:  So far, so good for Stuart Skinner.

Record:  1-0-1   GAA  2.92  SV%  .909

10. Jets:  Ty can chuck em with both hands.

https://x.com/ICdave/status/2106799122002960806?s=20

 

Viewer questions for the show:

From Ben:

1.  Is a physical and emotionally fired-up player like Bauer exactly the change in atmosphere the Jets need iyo?

2.  How in the world are speedsters and skilled guys like Perfetti and Lambert warming the bench in OT when you want skill and speed with all that open ice?!! I don’t get it. Love Lowry, but come on Arniel.

From Sparky:

1. Kolesar made a mistake letting Bauer get up off his knees at the beginning of that fight

From Andy:

1. Do you think the Jets look faster this year than last year?

2.  Tyler Bauer is sure making the Jets a lot bigger.
Question:  Should we let our number one goalie sit out the season?

 

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look, and with the answers to the questions above.

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September 28 Winnipeg Jets’ Opening Day Lineup.

September 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Please join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a more in-depth discussion of these Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League on our new WHT YouTube channel here >>>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk  LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.  

This week’s YouTube show

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a look at the opening night roster and viewer questions.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  It’s a new season, with a new roster, new lines, new goaltenders, and new hope for the Winnipeg Jets. 

To get down to the 23-man roster limit, the Winnipeg Jets assigned Brayden Yager and Domenic DiVincentiis to the Manitoba Moose.

  • Goaltenders: 
  • Stuart Skinner … Clay Stevenson
  • Defencemen:
  • Josh Morrissey … Dylan DeMelo
  • Dylan Samberg … Neal Pionk
  • Mario Ferraro … Tyrel Bauer
  • Hayden Fleury … Jack St. Ivany
  • Forwards:
  • Kyle Connor … Mark Scheifele … Cole Perfetti
  • Isak Rosen … Viggo Bjorck … Gabe Vilardi
  • Morgan Barron … Adam Lowry … Brad Lambert
  • Nino Niederreiter … Vlad Namestnikov … Alex Iafallo … Cole Koepke
  • IR:
  • Garrett Brown … Elias Salomonsson … Walker Duehr

2. Jets:  Poll Question:

What should Chevy do now that Helle is officially a "holdout"?

View Results

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 3. Jets:  According to multiple “INSIDERS,” a possible Connor Hellebuyck deal could hinge on a trade between Carolina and St. Louis involving Alexander Nikishin.  This trade may or may not happen, but if it does, then the next domino could be Helle.  Stay tuned!

4. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have their history back as the NHL announces consolidation of the Winnipeg Jets’ history and has united both franchise eras into one official statistical history.

The Jets’ history now includes their first stint in Winnipeg (1979-96) as well as their years as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011) and their seasons in Winnipeg since 2011-12.

5. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets 2026 October Schedule.

The 84-game schedule has the Jets playing all their Central Division rivals four times, a pair at home and a pair on the road, for a total of 28 games.  They will play Pacific Division teams three times, while hosting and visiting all 16 Eastern Conference teams once.

Winnipeg has nine back-to-backs this season: six are two straight games on the road, two feature a home-and-road game, and one will be back-to-back games in Winnipeg against the Dallas Stars.

Viewer questions for the show:

From Ben: 

1.  What will Chevy and Helle’s mindsets be on either of the following?  Jets start season 8-2 or Jets start season 2-8.

2.  What kind of leash will Clay Stevenson have to prove himself before they either have to make another move or Milic or Dom get broken in?

From Sparky:

1.  Could the Jets have one of their best 4th lines?

2.  Is Chibrikov’s window closing?

From Andy:

1.  What do you think of our goalie we got off waivers?

2.  How much is Bauer gonna get into the rotation?

 

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look, and with the answers to the questions above.

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September 21 Winnipeg Jets’ Training Camp Opens.

September 21, 2026 by

Please join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a more in-depth discussion of these Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League on our new WHT YouTube channel here >>>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk  LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.  

This week’s YouTube show

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube at 7 pm, Sept. 21.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets’ training camp officially opened with medicals this past Wednesday, and Connor Hellebuyck was a no-show.  Helle was promptly put on the suspended list. 

Being on the suspended list is not a big deal until it starts costing Helle money, which won’t be for a couple of weeks (Oct.8), and then we’ll see how strong his resolve is.       

2. Jets:  Poll Question:

What should Chevy do now that Helle is officially a "holdout"?

View Results

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 3. Jets:  Viggo certainly did not disappoint in his first game as a Winnipeg Jets prospect.  My first impressions of Viggo were very positive. He can skate, has good vision, can pass the puck, and has a very high compete level.  

4. Jets:  The rumblings we heard that Elias Salomonsson’s recovery is tracking toward being ready around training camp or the beginning of the regular season were close.  He is in camp in full uniform, rehabbing, and the soft projection for his return is late October.

5. Jets:  During Kevin Cheveldayoff’s presser on Friday, he was asked about the “promise to win” not being fulfilled with Hellebuyck:

“A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League.  Period.  There are no side agreements; the league doesn’t allow for that, so any notion around that would not have any merit.”

6. Jets:  Kyle Connor described the Hellebuyck situation as “heartbreaking.”  KC also said he tried to talk him out of it, but respects that he has to make his own decision.

7. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets 2026 Pre-season Broadcast Schedule.

8. Jets:  I may be accused of being a little biased, but I thought Thomas Milic acquitted himself fairly well versus Edmonton on Saturday night.

9. Jets:   On paper, the line of Viggo Bjorck, Isak Rosen, and Brad Lambert looked like it should be the Jets’ first line versus Edmonton, and they actually played the part.  They created some good scoring chances and were very dangerous at times 

10. Jets:  I was surprised by Noah Gregor’s speed, but the problem is we have enough of these 4th-line type of players.

Released: 

  • D – Noa Ta’amu (Edmonton – WHL)
    D – Alexandre Taillefer (Quebec – QMJHL)
    F – Jacob Cloutier (Saginaw – OHL)
  • G – Alex Worthington  (PTO)

Next Week:  

  • New look lines.
  • Schedule.
  • Back-to-backs.
  • Were there actually threats on Helle and/or his family?

For a much more detailed look check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube.

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June 29 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

June 30, 2026 by

Please join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a more in-depth discussion of these Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League on our new WHT YouTube channel here >>>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk  LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.  

This week’s YouTube show

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for the June 29 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.

Listen to a more detailed version of the Curmudgeon’s thoughts.

1. NHL:  The 2026 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone, with the most famous line on draft day being,

“I can’t believe he was still available with our pick”. 

That’s how I felt, along with thousands of Winnipeg Jets fans, when Gary Bettman announced the Jets had selected Viggo Bjorck.

Embed from Getty Images

2. Jets:  The next date of importance is this Wednesday, July 1st, when free agency opens.  Most teams have a lot of extra money to spend, and there will be a lot of competition for players in this slim UFA class, but there are some interesting players available that shouldn’t break the bank.

3. Jets:  The votes are in on whether Kevin Cheveldayoff should use the 8th overall pick in this year’s draft or trade it for a second-line center.

 

4. Jets:  I said Helle wouldn’t get traded, and I was right, but I’ve done a complete 360 and now think there’s a 60/40 chance he does get moved.

5. Jets:  I’m very interested to see what type of goaltender the Jets look at when free agency opens on Wednesday.  It could indicate how they feel about the long-term status of Connor Hellebuyck and the short-term status of Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis.

6. Jets:  I started following and watching Viggo Bjorck quite closely when his name started popping up as a player that should be on the Winnipeg  Jets radar based on the different draft rankings and mock drafts.  TBH, I never thought he’d be around for us at #8.  This kid has been playing with older and bigger players in the SHL and holding his own, and I realize it’s not the NHL or the AHL, nor is it the KHL, but it is men’s hockey.  He was dominant at the U20 level, and a catalyst for Sweden’s “Gold Medal” team at the WJHC, but what closed the deal for me was his play at the Men’s World Championship in Switzerland last month.  Bjorck centered Sweden’s top line, battled head-to-head with some of the best players in the world, and was a beast at the faceoff dot.  I’ve heard some interesting comparables, but I think this kid is Thomas Steen lite”. 

Questions for the show:

From Andy:
1. What do you think of our picks?
2. Why in blue blazing hell would the Jets trade Helle?
3. Do you think Chevy offers Logan Stanley a contract?

From Ben:
How much are NMCs (no movement clauses) hindering Chevy’s ability to make a trade?

From Sparky:
1. Do you think Viggo Bjorck has a shot at making this year’s roster? There have been players to make it first year.
2. Would the Jets have to pay his Swedish men’s team to release him from a contract?

Check out the video version with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look >>> https://youtube.com/live/CIb4dcZXTOo with the answers to the questions above.

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June 22 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

June 22, 2026 by

1. NHL:  The NHL off-season has now officially started, now that the Carolina Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup.  I’m glad that’s over; it seemed like months of torture.

2. Jets:  Three of the four franchises that the NHL absorbed from the WHA have now won Stanley Cups …. I wonder which one hasn’t.

3. NHL:  Red Wings’ captain, Dylan Larkin, has asked for a trade and listed Florida, Minnesota, and Vegas as his destinations of choice.  WOW!  Also, asking for a trade is Oilers’ defenceman, Darnell Nurse.

4. Jets:  The NHL Entry Draft is this Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, and there is a lot of discussion in Jetsville whether Kevin Cheveldayoff should use the 8th overall pick in this year’s draft or trade it for a second-line center.  What do you think?

Should use the 8th overall pick or trade it for a second-line center.

  • No (51%, 160 Votes)
  • Yes (25%, 77 Votes)
  • Why settle for a second line center? (24%, 74 Votes)

Total Voters: 265

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5. Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It:  I think NHL players who request a trade while under contract should lose all no-movement protection, making them null and void.  Case in point is Dylan Larkin.  He asks Detroit to trade him and then gives them a 3-team list.  That’s horseshit and will need to be addressed in the next CBA.  Players shouldn’t be able to dictate any trade parameters if they demand a trade.  IMHO, you can’t have it both ways, so Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It.

6. NHL:  With NHL free agency fast approaching, a reminder that the salary cap for 2026 is set to be 104 million, with 76.9 million being the floor.  Most teams have lots of extra money to spend, and there will be a lot of competition for players in a slim UFA class.  Maybe we’ll see some offer sheets for the RFAs?!?! 

7. Jets:  TSN insider Darren Dreger appeared on the radio show Overdrive on Thursday and was direct in his assessment of the Winnipeg Jets’ situation, stating that he can

“confidently say that they’re not shopping Connor Hellebuyck.” 

Also, in a recent appearance on the Barn Burner podcast,  Dreger stated

the Jets have been willing to listen to offers on their three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a distinction that matters.  Listening and shopping are two very different things, and as of Thursday, Winnipeg appears to be firmly in the former camp.

8. Jets:  It doesn’t matter how much I hate a team, watching the players lift the SC never gets old. Seeing their joy and real emotion is special.

“I loved being in Winnipeg. This was the dream there. I’m obviously sad I wasn’t able to do that with the guys in Winnipeg and the city of Winnipeg. They hold a special place in my heart, I’ve said that. They’re family. The whole organization gave me a shot at playing in the NHL and I couldn’t be more thankful. Like I said, it was a hard decision this summer, but I loved my ten years in Winnipeg. It was a special time.”

9. Jets:  According to Dave Pagnota from “The Fourth Period”, the Winnipeg Jets have been linked to Vegas goaltender Adin Hill and Vancouver winger Jake DeBrusk.

10. Jets:  It looks like the Jets are going to get themselves a good defenceman.

11. Jets:  Jonathon Toews officially retired on Friday and was very eloquent in his farewell speech.

 “I’m so proud to be from Winnipeg.  Thank you for making this year so special. I hope I represented you well. Thank you very much.”

Check out the video version with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look >>> https://www.youtube.com/live/Dhttps://youtube.com/live/Dv9eCne2f08v9eCne2f08?si=aK4VRGw58LAER3Uo

 

 

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