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.  

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1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-0-2 this past week, and although they got points in all three games, they lost ground to both Anaheim and San Jose, who both beat them in overtime.  Their record sits at a very underwhelming 23-26-10, nine points out of the playoffs.  The team now has an eight-game homestand that will be their last kick at the cat for those who still believe they have a shot at the playoffs.   

2. Jets:  Any coach who would play Adam Lowry in overtime ahead of Gabe Vilardi or even Alex Iafallo should not be allowed to coach in the NHL.  I am soooo done with Scott Arniel, and his idiotic lineup decisions, and don’t get me started on Dylan Samberg or Dylan DeMelo ahead of Elias Solomonsson in OT either.  

3. Jets:  The NHL trade deadline is this Friday at 2 pm local time.  So far, this is what we know.

• Luke Schenn should be traded.
• Even though Jonathon Toews is a pending UFA, he is committed to returning to Winnipeg next season, and he won’t waive his “No movement clause”.
• Logan Stanley is a pending UFA and has said he would like to resign with the Jets but he doesn’t have a contract yet for next season.  The buzz around the league is that he could net the Jets a 1st round pick plus.  If the Jets don’t sign him before the deadline, they have to move him.

4. Jets:  From the “Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.  

There sure is a lot of fake outrage over the USA hockey team visiting the White House.  This has always been the norm for all teams winning a championship, in all the major sports, to visit the White House, with the odd player bowing out because of politics, but it should be an honor.  I have a great example of a true story I’ll share with you during the live show on YouTube tonight.

If you are so narrow-minded that you can’t see the difference between celebrating a monumental achievement but see it as a political statement, you’re a moron and can eat shit, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

5. Pet peeve:  TSN Jets announcer Dan Robertson tried putting a positive spin on the 3-game road trip by stating the Jets got 4 out of 6 points, which is factually incorrect because in those three games there were NINE points awarded, not SIX.  The Jets earned 4 out of 9 points.  Big difference.

6. Jets:  After watching that fiasco in Italy, tell me again how Mark Scheifele wouldn’t have been a top-6 forward on that team.

7. Jets:  Right now, Connor Hellebuyck’s value has never been higher … would the Jets ever consider trading him for multiple pieces and picks?

8. Jets:  I was impressed by Walker Duehr’s speed in his Winnipeg Jets debut on Sunday. 

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9. Jets:  Logan Stanley has a big, heavy shot, and he’s not afraid to use it, which adds a different element to the Jets’ powerplay.

10. Things that make me go hmmm: #1 🤔  I’m not opposed to trading Cole Perfetti depending on the return, BUT it would have to be for a center and at approximately the same stage in age and/or development.

Nick Kypreos: Re Jets: Teams are also calling on winger Cole Perfetti. He would be Winnipeg’s most valuable trade chip; For now, he’s not on my list, but is a name I’m watching closely heading into next week – Sportsnet (2/24)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 27, 2026

11. Jets:  Special Teams:  Rule of thumb. 

Have the power play and penalty kill (PK and PP) numbers total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).

• PP: 22nd at 18.60% (net 20th at 16.80%)
• PK: 17th at 79.30% (net 13th at 82.20%)
• FO: 15th at 50.50%

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

• Connor Hellebuyck:  13-16-9 … 2.82 GAA … .900 SV%
• Eric Comrie:  10-9-1 … 3.01 GAA … .893 SV%

13. Jets:  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly this past week.

• Good:  The Jets earned points in all 3 road games last week with a win and two overtime losses for 4 points total. 
• Bad:  The Jets also gave up 5 points in those same 3 games.  
• Ugly:   Watching Adam Lowry.  He is where offence goes to die, which is normal, but the rest of his game now stinks.  

14. Jets:  I’ve been known to be hard on Kyle Connor at times, but he didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt at the Olympics.  Even on KC’s worst day, he shouldn’t be the extra forward on that team.  I’m sure he is proud of his Gold Medal but probably has a hollow feeling about his contributions.

15. Things that make me go hmmm: #2🤔 Some post-Olympics fallout that got me thinking.  Is it sour grapes or a legitimate observation/complaint?

From Team Canada coach Jon Cooper:

“You take four players off the ice, now hockey’s not hockey anymore. There’s a reason overtime and shootouts are in play — it’s all TV-driven to end games, so it’s not a long time. There’s a reason why it’s not in the Stanley Cup Final or playoffs.”

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.  

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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.  

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 2-0-1 at home this past week.  The boys let one slip away on Saturday vs Toronto, but still managed 5 of 6 points on the week, so not too bad.  Their record has improved to 19-22-6, seven points out of the playoffs.     

2. Jets:  The Jets have 9 games left before the mini trade deadline (Feb. 4), four at home and five on the road, and this will probably determine whether they are buyers or sellers when the actual trade deadline rolls around on Mar. 6.  

3. Jets:  It took a couple of injuries, but Elias Salomonsson has received a second call-up, and he looks like a veteran now.  Sometimes, the biggest compliment you can pay a player is that you didn’t really notice him on the ice.  Salomonsson has looked very solid.  He should/could be here to stay.

4. Jets:  From the “Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.  

Lately, I’ve been extremely disappointed in the play of Adam Lowry.  On the upside, he looks much more dangerous offensively, but on the downside, he’s been poor defensively. More often than not, he has been responsible for blown coverages in the defensive zone or being a step or a second late covering his man.  I can’t remember the last time Lowry has won a key faceoff.  Lowry never cheats the game, but he is definitely off his game, and this Jets team needs their captain to step up.  I don’t take great pleasure in criticizing the captain, but I’m not a cheerleader either, so if you can’t handle the truth, put that in your pipe and smoke it

5. Jets:  I have to admit that since the lines seem to have sorted themselves out, I like what Tanner Pearson brings to the 4th line.  He was never the fastest guy, and he has definitely lost a step, but he knows where to go on the ice.  A perfect example was his goal against Minnesota on Thursday in St. Paul.  I’ll discuss this more on the LIVE show tonight.

6. Jets:  Jonathan Toews will be visiting Chicago tonight for the first time since his return to the NHL.  There should be a lot of emotions in his first game back at the United Center.  Let’s hope JT puts on a show.

 

7. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose are 4-2-1-0 since the calendar has flipped to 2026 and now have an overall record of 19-14-3-0.  They sit comfortably in 3rd place in the 7-team Central Division with a winning percentage of .569.  The good news is that the team is very competitive, but the bad news is that they don’t score a lot.  Right now, the Jets’ best prospects seem to be on the blueline and in goal, although some of their forward prospects are playing much better.  One of my faves, goaltender Thomas Milic, has been selected to play in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois.

8. Jets:  I think we’ve seen enough of Danny Zhilkin for now, and maybe it’s time to give another Moose forward a look. 

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9. Jets:  As of Monday morning, the Jets’ chances of making the playoffs are sitting at 14.3%, basically slim and none and slim just left town.  As you can see, the percentage fluctuates daily, whether the team plays or not; however, the days following games exhibit larger fluctuations.  

10. Things that make me go hmmm: #1 🤔 Considering the Jets traded up to draft Logan Stanley and they’ve dealt with the ups and downs of his development, plus his injuries, can you see them letting him walk to free agency just when he’s just starting to look like the dman they had envisioned?  This creates an interesting situation.  It has been reported in the past that “Big Stan” has asked for a trade, and considering he is a pending UFA, I can’t help but wonder what is going on behind the scenes.

11. Jets:  Special Teams:  Rule of thumb.  Have the power play and penalty kill (PK and PP) numbers total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).

• PP: 21st at 19.50%, up from 19th at 18.70% last week (net 18th at 18.00%)*
• PK: 19th at 78.60%, up from 22nd at 77.70% last week (net 15th at 82.10%)*
• FO: 11th at 50.80%, down from 9th at 51.20% last week

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

• Connor Hellebuyck:  12-12-5 … 2.76 GAA … .901 SV%
• Eric Comrie:  7-9-1 … 3.33 GAA … .884 SV%

13. Jets:  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly this past week.

• Good:  Getting points in 6 of the last 7 games.  
• Bad:  The leads the boys keep giving up. 
• Ugly:  I don’t think Morgan Barron or Adam Lowry has won a faceoff while the Jets were short-handed.  

14. Jets:  I’ve watched Jonathon Toews long enough not to doubt my belief that he could still be an effective piece in this Winnipeg Jets puzzle.  My evaluation of JT is based on what I was seeing him do and not looking at his points or linemates.  He is doing basically the same now as he was earlier on, but now working with a Cole Perfetti who has come out of hibernation and a legitimate top-6 forward like Gabe Vilardi, it’s not surprising to see the positive results.  It also helped when Scott Arniel stopped treating JT like a 4th liner.  We are still seeing the odd blown coverage and too many careless penalties, but those are correctable.  I’m hoping for a big second half of the season for JT.

15. Jets:  I’m worried because the Jets are on back-to-back, tonight (in Chicago) and tomorrow at home (St.L), and that means Eric Comrie gets a start.  Although he played okay in his last outing versus the LA Kings, that was a low-event game that our ECHL goalies would have won, with all due respect to Winnipegger Isaac Poulter, who tends the net for the Norfolk Admials. 

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.  

Click ICON to follow WHT  on X. 👉👉👉 Follow @WpgHockTalk

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Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon.“ Odds and Ends, Thoughts, and Questions from this past week in Hockey

I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.  I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman, or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps, or is it the 8Ps?  You’ve been warned.

For a more in-depth look at these Random Thoughts, check out the new WHT YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

Host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk writer Mitch Kasprick discuss his Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League. 

 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 0-4-0 this past week and extended their losing streak to nine games.  I believe the 6-5 loss in Toronto officially broke them.  They have hit rock bottom.  Their record is currently 15-21-4.     

2. Jets:  Can you imagine being the GM of a hockey team and trying to explain to your owner how you missed the playoffs with the best goaltender on the planet?  I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.  

3. Jets:  It’s not just me, folks.

Remember the good old days when DeMelo was average?

— Jason Bell (@JasonBell1966) January 1, 2026

4. WJHC:  From the “Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.  

Ask me if I was impressed with Gavin McKenna’s 3-goal performance in Canada’s 9-1 victory over Denmark?  NO, I wasn’t!  If you want to impress me, score a couple of goals against a good team like Finland or Team Sweden in a meaningful game.  Padding your stats against the weak sisters doesn’t impress me … So Put that in your pipe and smoke it.  

5. NHL: Olympics:   Team USA announced their roster for the Olympic Games, and to absolutely nobody’s surprise, Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck were named to the team. 

6. Jets:  Question for Scott Arniel:  Why didn’t you pull Comrie … Why didn’t you pull Comrie … Why didn’t you pull Comrie … Why didn’t you pull Comrie … Why didn’t you pull Comrie… WTF is wrong with you?  WTF are you waiting for?  Your season is circling the drain right in front of you, and you’re going to hang your hat on a guy that can’t stop a beachball?  Are you trying to get fired?          

7. NHL: Olympics:  Hockey Canada released their final roster for the Olympic Games, and I guess I have to eat my words as Mark Scheifele did not make the team, even though he is better than Nick Suzuki, Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and maybe even Bo Horvat.  Scheif is still in the Olympic Games’ doping protocol and could end up going if somebody gets injured before the games.  The consensus is that he should have been in the original group.  I don’t usually give a crap about this type of stuff because it doesn’t affect my life, BUT I genuinely feel bad for Scheif.

8. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a guy on their 1st-unit powerplay with 0 goals, and then next game he was a healthy scratch again … I wonder how Brad Lambert would do with that same opportunity?

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9. Jets:  As of Monday morning, the Jets’ chances of making the playoffs are sitting at 9.3%, basically slim and none and slim just left town.  As you can see, the percentage fluctuates daily, whether the team plays or not; however, the days following games exhibit larger fluctuations.  

 

10. Things that make me go hmmm: #1 🤔 Fans are screaming to call up the kids from the Manitoba Moose, and as I pointed out on one of my “playoff odds updates”, why not call up the 3 best players? 

11. Jets:  Special Teams:  Rule of thumb.  Have the power play and penalty kill (PK and PP) numbers total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).

• PP: 18th at 19.10% down from 11th at 21.00% last week (net 15th at 17.40%)*
• PK: 21st at 78.30% down from 16th 80.90% last week (net 18th at 88.20%)*
• FO: 10th at 51.50% down from 10th at 51.60% last week

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

• Connor Hellebuyck:  9-11-3 … 2.58 GAA … .905 SV%
• Eric Comrie:  6-9-1 … 3.49 GAA … .880 SV%

13. Jets:  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly this past week.

• Good:  Outside of hurt feelings, the team didn’t suffer any major injuries on their 4-game road trip. 
• Bad:  The team didn’t suffer any major injuries during their 4-game road trip. That seems to be the only way they call up players from the AHL.
• Ugly:  The Jets were 9-3-0 once upon a time in October, but since then, they have gone 6-18-4. 

 14. Things that make me go hmmm: #2 🤔

It’s been about 22 months since that unnamed player from a Western Conference team called the Winnipeg Jets FRAUDS?

“The Winnipeg Jets are the biggest frauds in the league, and they’ll lose in the 1st round.”

An unnamed NHL player has dubbed the Jets as the biggest frauds in the NHL.https://t.co/dCv00oLVdK pic.twitter.com/MbyGlA2vya

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 2, 2024

15. Jets:  Kevin Cheveldayoff held his mid-season presser this morning, and nothing earth-shattering was revealed but at least our media guys did ask some tough questions.  If the Jets players could dangle around the ice like Chevy dandles at these pressers, they’d be in 1st place.

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