Apr. 20 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

April 20, 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

Listen to the detailed version of the Curmudgeon’s thoughts.  LIVE at 7:00 pm. 

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for the Apr. 20 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.  Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk 

Check out our YouTube channel for the Winnipeg Jets season-ending report cards starting Wednesday morning.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets’ season has mercifully come to a conclusion with them missing the playoffs after winning the “Presidents’ Trophy ” the previous year.  The Jets finished the season with an underwhelming 35-35-12 record.  What’s next?  WTF knows.

2. Jets:  I thought Brayden Yager showed pretty well in the 3 games he played, and I’m sure he has his sights set on making the big club next season, and that could be a big ask for the young centerman, but I liked what I saw, and I’m pulling for him.   

3. Things that make me go hmmm 🤔:  I often wonder how smart the Jets’ braintrust is when they watched Gus Nyquist flail away all season and accomplish SFA but thought that was still a better option than giving their prospects a look.  Sometimes you have to eat crow and admit you f’d up.  Chevy and Arniel wasted 51 games of prime developmental ice time on a 35-year-old.   

4. Jets:  Mark Scheifele won the “Three Stars Award” as the Jets player to receive the most ‘Three Stars’ honours in 2025-26.  Scheif also set the franchise record with 103 points this season. 

5. Jets:  The Dan Snyder Memorial Award is presented each year to the Winnipeg Jets player who embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed, and this year it was presented to Morgan Barron.

6. Jets:  Is the injury to Connor Hellebuyck and their post-Olympic run enough to save the job/jobs of Scott Arniel and/or Kevin Cheveldayoff?

Are the Coach and GM safe?

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7. Jets:  Scott Arniel admitted that he played injured players at 50%-60% healthy over healthy prospects.  Discuss amongst yourselves.

8. Jets:  Playoff and Lottery Odds: 

 

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9. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose will host the best-of-3 opening playoff round versus Milwaukee on April 22 at Canada Life Centre.   

GO MOOSE GO

10. Jets:  Tidbits and FYIs:

  • Mark Scheifele was tied for 3rd in the NHL with 80 even-strength points.
  • Morgan Barron led the Jets with 1:52 on-ice per game shorthanded.
  • Mark Scheifele and Dylan DeMelo will be off to the World Championship to play for Team Canada.
  • Thomas Milic was named Manitoba’s MVP this season.
  • The Moose presented Isaak Phillips with the Best Defenceman Award.

Check out our YouTube channel for the Winnipeg Jets season-ending report cards starting Wednesday morning .

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Apr.13 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

April 13, 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

Listen to the detailed version of the Curmudgeon’s thoughts.  LIVE at 7:00 pm. 

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for the Apr. 13 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.  Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 2-1-0 this past week but it won’t be enough as they are virtually on the brink of elimination.  The Jets gave it an honest effort post-Olympic break, but the hill was just too tall to climb.  Their record currently sits at 35-32-12.  To be officially eliminated, all it takes is for Los Angeles to gain 2 points or Winnipeg to drop 2 points in their final 3 games. 

2. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets recalled Nikita Chibrikov and Brayden Yager from the Manitoba Moose.  I’m looking forward to seeing Yager at the NHL level, and I’m already a fan of Chibs. 

3. Things that make me go hmmm 🤔:  I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I can’t help but wonder if the Jets’ performance vs Philadelphia was a direct result of LA defeating Edmonton 1-0 in an afternoon game on Saturday.  Hoping a win vs Philly gets them to within 1 point of LA must have been a kick in the groin that the Oilers couldn’t even muster up 1 goal against LA.

4. Jets:  Miracles do happen.  The Jets’ power play actually won them a hockey game, going 3 for 3 in a 6-2 win over Seattle.  The powerplay staked them to a 3-1 lead after 2 periods, and the team never looked back.  All it took was a Jonathon Toews for Cole Perfetti swap to ignite them.

5. Jets:  Mark Scheifele notched his 900th career point on Monday vs Seattle, and with his 2 points vs St. Louis, he now has 99 points, 1 point from his first 100-point season.  What a waste of Scheif’s best season.

6. Jets:  Is the injury to Connor Hellebuyck and their post-Olympic run enough to save the job/jobs of Scott Arniel and/or Kevin Cheveldayoff?

Are the Coach and GM safe?

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7. Jets:  This past week really showed me how much confidence Brad Lambert has gained, and I must admit I was very, very concerned he might be another overrated prospect, and I can’t see him playing in the AHL next year.

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8. Jets:  Playoff and Lottery Odds:  As of April 12, the Winnipeg Jets are not eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, but their chances are slim, and none and slim just left town.

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9. Moose:  Moose clinch with 6 games to go in the regular season! 

10. 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: 24th at 18.10% (net 25th at 16.20%) +4
  • PK: 19th at 78.50% (net 19th at 81.30%)
  • FO: 10th at 51.00%

11. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  23-22-11 … 2.80 GAA … .897 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  12-9-1 … 2.95 GAA … .894 SV%

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

  • Good:  Alex Iafallo, almost every night. 
  • Bad:  Jacob Bryson, Dylan DeMelo, and Haydn Fluery.  These are not SC dmen.
  • Ugly:  Saturday night.

13. Jets: Tidbits and FYIs:

  • The Jets’ record since the Olympic break is a solid 13-6-4.
  • Jonathon Toews nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually by the NHL to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
  • Josh Morrissey didn’t make it into TSN’s “Top 10” Norris Trophy candidates. Discuss amongst yourselves.
  • Gabe Vilardi has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and makes a notable contribution to the community.

14. Jets:  Pet Peeve:  Fans and media that continuously defend and make excuses for the owner, the GM, or the coach.  Why is nobody at TNSE ever accountable?

15. WHT on X:

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Apr. 6 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

April 6, 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 Apr. 6 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.

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

Note: Because of today’s Jets game, we will be Live at 5:30 pm

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 2-1-0 this past week but have failed to gain any ground in their pursuit of the final wildcard in the Western Conference.  Their record currently sits at 33-31-12.  The boys are 3 points out of the playoffs with 6 games remaining in the regular season and still kicking at the cat, but they’re running out of games.

2. Jets:  It’s funny, Brad Lambert hasn’t put any points on the board lately, BUT you’d never know he’s the rookie out there.  

3. Things that make me go hmmm #1 🤔:  Almost all of the local podcasters or YouTube channels dedicated to following the Winnipeg Jets have all said the same thing.

The Winnipeg Jets are a much better team right now, but no thanks to the braintrust that finally made the correct roster moves based on necessity and not good roster management.

Most of us had been begging for these moves months ago, and if a bunch of keyboard warriors and basement dwellers could see it, why couldn’t our illustrious braintrust?  This organisation is so slow to react, if they react at all.  VERY FRUSTRATING.

4. Jets:  From the “Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.   It’s hard to get “frontier justice” if the intended target doesn’t want to engage, like on Thursday night in Dallas when Jason Robertson executed a legal but dirty reverse-hit on Elias Salomonsson that knocked him out of the game and the next game in Columbus.  The thing is, he (Robertson) tried it again late in the 3rd period on the much smaller Cole Perfetti with the score 3-0, and Neal Pionk wasn’t happy about it and gave him a couple of shots, then challenged him, but Robertson wanted no part of that, and his teammates came to his aid and jumped Pionk.  The part that bothered me about this course of events was that Jets’ captain, Adam Lowry, ended up having to fight Stars’ captain Jamie Benn while the gutless puke stood there and watched, uninvolved and unscathed.  Jason Robertson, who is 6’3 and 200 lbs, is under no obligation to fight if he doesn’t want to, but I’m sorry, if he can’t sack-up and fight the smaller Neal Pionk at 6’0, 190 lbs, he shouldn’t be playing that way.  As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t settled, and I hope the Jets’players don’t forget it either, which they won’t.  I’m sorry to all the snowflakes that won’t like the “frontier justice,” but that’s how it works, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

5. Jets:  The second period in Columbus might be the most dominant period of hockey they’ve played all season, but it took them 18 min and 14 sec to get something to show for it.

6. Pet Peeve:  Officials/linesmen constantly in the way along the boards affecting play.  GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY FFS.

7. Jets:  This past week, whenever the Jets were in trouble on the ice, it seemed like Dylan DeMelo or Jacob Bryson were the cause.  We are contractually (2 more years) stuck with DeMelo, but I hope Chevy doesn’t do something stupid like offer Bryson a contract.

8. Jets:  Playoff and Lottery Odds:  As of April 6

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9. 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: 28th at 17.20% (net 26th at 15.80%)
  • PK: 19th at 78.30% (net 19th at 81.20%)
  • FO: 12th at 50.80%

10. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  21-21-11 … 2.77 GAA … .898 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  12-9-1 … 2.85 GAA … .897 SV%

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

  • Good:  The compete level of the younger players. 
  • Bad:  Helle’s wandering out of the net.
  • Ugly:  How Dallas overwhelmed the Jets with their size.

12. Jets: Tidbits and FYIs:

  • Mark Scheifele has 31 multipoint games this season.
  • On Saturday night, Kyle Connor scored his 35th and 36th goals of the season.
  • Danny Zhilkin notched his first NHL point on Tuesday in Chicago by assisting on Isak Rosen’s goal.
  • Winnipeg is 3 points ahead of its Monday night opposition, the Seattle Kraken

13. WHT on X:

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Mar. 30 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

March 29, 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 Mar. 30 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.

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

 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 2-1-0 this past week in what was probably one of their toughest weeks, with Vegas and a home-and-home versus Colorado on their dance card.  Their record currently sits at 31-30-12.  The boys are 3 points out of the playoffs with 9 games remaining in the regular season and still kicking at the cat, but they’re running out of games.

2. Jets:  It took all year, but Adam Lowry looks like himself again.

3. Things that make me go hmmm #1 🤔:  The Jets are a tidy 9-4-4 since the Olympic break, that is, points in 13 out of 17 games, and I can’t help but wonder how this current roster, even with its flaws, would have done if they were together the whole season.  

4. Jets:  With his 2 goals on Thursday night, Mark Scheifele tied and passed his career high in points with 88 and still counting.  Scheif has been very consistent since becoming the Jets’ #1 center, basically a point per game player.

5. Pet Peeve:  The Winnipeg Jets have this annoying habit of overpassing and not shooting when they get a “Grade A” chance in the slot.  I don’t know why you would work that hard to get in that position and not take advantage of it.

6. Jets:  I would like to see a little more of Danil Zhilkin down the stretch, but with NHL wingers.  I’ve seen enough of Parker Ford to last me a lifetime.  

7. Jets:  If the Jets’ intentions concerning Ville Heinola weren’t completely clear before, the writing must certainly be on the wall now.

8. Jets:  Question for Scott Arniel:  With the way your powerplay is struggling, have you even considered switching the personnel around instead of watching the same shit-show every night?

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9. Things that make me go hmmm #2 🤔:  I wonder what Kyle Connor could fetch on the trade market, or is he considered persona non grata after TWO uninspired international events and/or an 8-year, $96,000,000 contract that starts next season?

10.  Things that make me go hmmm #3 🤔:  The Jets have been looking for a 2C for what seems like a decade now, and they drafted Cole Perfetti as a center, but have not given him an opportunity to give it a try.  Perfetti isn’t the biggest guy, and he isn’t the fastest guy, but he has great vision, good hockey sense, and he is a very good passer, all the things that make a center.  It’s just a thought.  What am I missing here?

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: 27th at 17.20% (net 24th at 15.70%)
  • PK: 22nd at 78.30% (net 20th at 81.30%)
  • FO: 13th at 50.80%

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  19-20-11 … 2.80 GAA … .899 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  12-9-1 … 2.85 GAA … .897 SV%

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

  • Good:  The determination of Connor Hellebuyck in all 3 games last week. 
  • Bad:  In a 3-2 loss to Colorado, where the powerplay could have been a difference maker, it went 0-4.
  • Ugly:  The Jets’ zone entries on the powerplay are ugly

14. Jets: Tidbits and FYIs:

  • Mark Scheifele is now the Jets’ all-time games played leader at 951, passing Thomas Steen.
  • On Tuesday night versus Vegas, Mark Scheifele had his fourth “Gordie Howe” hat trick.
  • Yesterday (Sunday), Captain Adam Lowry turned 33 years young.
  • Cole Perfetti scored his 4th GWG Saturday vs Colorado.  Not bad for a guy with only 11 goals.
  • Gabe Vilardi’s 28th goal of the season on Saturday is a career high, and he has 9 more games to add to it.

15. WHT on X:  These were from the two games vs Colorado.

Thursday:

Saturday:

 

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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Mar. 23 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

March 23, 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 Mar. 23 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

Here >>>  

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-1-2 this past week and earned points in 3 of 4 games but still sit at “Count Chocula’s” bogus .500 at 29-29-12.  The boys are still five points out of the playoffs with 12 games remaining in the regular season and still kicking at the cat but it’s getting tougher because they’re running out of games.

2. Jets:  I would say Brad Lambert had his best week as a professional hockey player. He really looked like he belonged.

3. Things that make me go hmmm #1 🤔:  I can only sit here and dream about the day the Jets defence corp is Josh Morrissey, Elias Salomonsson, Dylan Samberg, Alfonz Freij, Isaak Phillips, Sascha Boumedienne, and Terrell Bauer.  Speed, size, skill, and toughness. 

4. Jets:  The Jets have a terrible habit of puck-watching, and even when their man is marked, it’s always a split second too late, and it results in a great scoring chance or a goal, and it always happens when the puck is behind the net.  Every team does it, but I think the Jets do it more than any other NHL team.

5. Pet Peeve:  The Winnipeg Jets 2.0 only seem to make roster decisions because of injuries and not because of great roster management or decisions that were for the best of the team.  This franchise seems incapable of promoting prospects on time.  For a team that prides itself as a draft and develop team, they sure are piss-poor at it. 

6. Jets:  I’m going to admit something, but don’t tell anyone.  I was actually happy to see Neil Pionk back in the lineup on Saturday vs Pittsburgh because I missed his compete level.

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7. PWHL:  The Ottawa Charge defeated the Montreal Victoire 2-1 in overtime in front of 15,225 fans at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Sunday night. This was the first PWHL game ever played in Winnipeg, and I can’t help but wonder if the purpose of these “PWHL TAKEOVER TOUR” games is to audition for potential expansion teams in the future.

8. Jets:  Question for Scott Arniel:  Have you considered giving Brad Lambert a shot with KC and Scheif?

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9. Things that make me go hmmm #2 🤔:  Things that make me go hmmm.  It’s been a few games since Brad Lambert’s call-up, and based on his play with the big club, I don’t understand why his numbers are so underwhelming at the AHL level.  It might be time for a complete review from top to bottom on how this organisation is developing their prospects.  I always thought the job of a primary farm team was to develop their prospects, not career AHLers.

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

In the past, I have said right here in this forum that I miss the Russians in international hockey tournaments, BUT that in no way means I think they should be included in said events.  Russian players make a good living playing in the NHL, and like it or not, they have a platform to speak out on what is happening in Ukraine, but I believe there has only been one player who has, and that is not acceptable.  Is it because they are all Putin supporters, or is it because they fear retribution for themselves or their families?  Either way, that tells you something about their leader and why they should speak out.  So, as long as lives are being lost in Ukraine because of the war, they shouldn’t be allowed to play in international events, and if the NHL had any balls, they’d ban them from playing as well.  It’s time Gary Bettman and the owners made a stand, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

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: 23rd at 18.00% (net 21st at 16.50%)
  • PK: 19th at 78.80% (net 17th at 81.90%)
  • FO: 13th at 50.80%

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  17-19-11 … 2.85 GAA … .897 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  12-9-1 … 2.85 GAA … .897 SV%

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

  • Good:  The play of the Morgan Barron line. 
  • Bad:  Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor had a rough week.
  • Ugly:  The Jets have a terrible habit of puck-watching, and even when their man is marked, it’s always a split second too late, and it results in a great scoring chance or a goal, and it always happens when the puck is behind the net.  Every team does it, but I think the Jets do it more than any other NHL team.

14. Jets: Tidbits and FYIs:

  • The Jets played their last 3 road games in 65 hours.
  • Adam Lowry scored his first goal in 26 games on Sunday vs NYR.
  • Dylan DeMelo got benched after just two shifts on Saturday in Pittsburgh.
  • The Jets’ #2 PP has a much better look since the trade deadline.
  • Eric Comrie has won his last 6 starts and has a new career high of 12 wins.

15. WHT on X:  All of these were from Saturday during and after a frustrating shootout loss vs the Pens.

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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