Apr. 27 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

April 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment

1. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose won their opening round series two games to one over the Milwaukee Admirals, exercising some old playoff demons from tough losses to Milwaukee in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Central Division Semifinals.

2. Jets:  I thought Brayden Yager showed pretty well in the 3 games he played with the Jets at the end of the season, and his solid play continued in his first three playoff games as a pro.  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 like what I am seeing, and I’m pulling for him.   

3.  Moose:  Domenic DiVincentiis was very solid in leading the Moose to both victories over the weekend when they were facing elimination after Thomas Milic dropped the first game to a very opportunistic Milwaukee squad.   

4. Moose:  It looks like the Moose will be rotating the goalies on a win-and-stay-in basis.

5. Moose:  A brilliant effort on the forecheck by David Gustafsson, and then a nice pass leads to the 2-0 goal for the Moose late in the second period to give the team a little breathing room going into the 3rd period, and boy did they need it.

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6. Moose:  I was very pleased and surprised with Elias Salomonsson’s level of physicality in the two games he played in the series.  Paired with Isaak Phillips, they made a formidable duo on the back end, and it is no coincidence the Moose won with Salo back in the lineup.

7. Things that make me go hmmm 🤔:  Why is David Gustafsson playing in the AHL?  I’m so on board with the “Gus Bus.”  I don’t get it.

8. Jets:  Based on what I’ve seen so far in the first round of the NHL playoffs, I’m not sure if the Jets could compete physically.

9. Jets:   Everybody was making a big deal about Helle’s garbage bag day interview, but not much has been said about this quote from Scott Arniel.

I’d love to be a 100 mph team, but I have to coach what’s in front of me.

10. Moose:  Brayden Yager and Brad Lambert have developed some interesting chemistry together.

11.  Moose Turds:

  • Gus has 3 points in 3 games (1 goal & 2 assists) and all of them huge.
  • Nobody stands in front of the Moose net when Terell Bauer is on the ice.
  • Domenic DiVincentiis only allowed 1 goal in each win this weekend, along with a .962 sv%.
  • Attendance was 4,853 for game 3.

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Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets for Nov. 17 2025

November 17, 2025 by

Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon.“

Odds and Ends, Thoughts, and Questions from this past week in Hockey

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, 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.

Watch WHT’s YouTube show here >>> https://youtu.be/gsFpDc79Kxw

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets finished their 6-game trip with a 2-4-0 record and fulfilled my prediction of winning 2 of the last 3 games to help salvage the backend of the trip, BUT, BUT, had to go to a shootout versus the lowly Calgary Flames to do it.  The team has an 11-7-0 record and currently sits in 3rd place in the Central Division. 

2. Jets:  Dylan Samberg returned to the lineup last week and made a noticeable difference, but unfortunately, he and Josh can’t make up for the rest of the def corps’ shortcomings, although he does help Neal Pionk look a little better, but not enough in my opinion. 

3. Jets:  I know I’ve been harping on the Jets’ blueline an awful lot this season, and good team defence needs to include the forwards as well, BUT most of the glaring mistakes that are leading to goals against have been when we’ve already had possession of the puck and given away by our dmen.  

4. NHL:  FYI:  In standings, a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

5. Jets:  Dylan DeMelo gift-wrapped Seattle’s first goal on Thursday night.  I feel so sorry for Josh.  It’s getting tough to miss the constant mistakes from #2.

6. Jets:  Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff:  I’m sure you’re seeing the same mistakes and poor play defensively from your team, so my question is, what are you going to do about it?  I know top-4 defencemen don’t grow on trees and aren’t readily available in the trade market, but are you looking, or do you need to look within the organisation?

7. Jets:  Just based on the “eye test,” I would have never thought that Jonathon Toews was a team high -8 in the +/- statistic.

8. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose won all three of their games last week and finished their 5-game road trip with 4 wins, improving their record to 7-6-2-0.  The Moose are now in a tie for 3rd in the Central Division and are back home for six games.  Brayden Yager is starting to find the score sheet a little more regularly after a slow start.  The first-year pro now has a very respectable 8 points in 15 games.  Thomas Milic is the leading goaltender with a 4-2 record, 2.28 GAA and .915 SV%.

Watch the WHT YouTube channel live every Monday at 7 pm.

9. Jets:  Not only is Josh Morrissey the Jets’ best defenceman, he is one of the team’s best offensive weapons as well.  Josh is 3rd in team scoring, and the team scores many of their goals where he doesn’t get an assist, but it was one of his slick breakout passes that started the rush.  Josh has officially reached stud status in my books.  Josh is an All-Star and a lock for Canada’s Olympic team.

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10. Jets:  I had to laugh when the HNIC announcer, Jon Abbott, said there sure have been some egregious turnovers in this game just seconds after Dylan DeMelo served up a pizza with extra cheese.

11. Jets:  WHT Poll

If the price is right should Chevy look into acquiring Steve Stamkos?

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12. 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: 8th at 24.10% up from 13th at 20.00% last week
  • PK: 8th at 84.10% down from 6th 86.90% last week
  • FO: 7th at 53.00% up from 8th at 52.70% last week

13. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  8-6-0 … 2.51 GAA … .913 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  3-1-0 … 2.75 GAA … .908 SV%

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

  • Good:  The return of Dylan Samberg and the stability he has brought to the second defence pairing.   
  • Bad:  The Jets blew two 3-goal leads twice in the last two games of the road trip.  It cost them a win in Seattle and forced the Calgary game into overtime, then a shootout, which they won.  
  • Ugly:  The schedule.  Six games on the road, then three at home, and back on the road for five more.  Not great when the team is not playing well. 

15. Things that make me go hmmm: Part 1  

There are a lot of fans and people who cover the Jets, scratching their heads, wondering why the Jets can’t protect a lead when they were so good at it last year.  Well, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out this is not the same team.

16. Things that make me go hmmm: Part 2  

Why would you continue to play Gus Nyquist, who has done nothing to justify his icetime and not give David Gustafsson the job he has rightfully earned OR let one of the kids like Nikita Chibrikov or Brad Lambert get some much-needed on-the-job training since they are the future of this team?

17. Jets: From the “You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth” file.

Right now, as this Jets team is currently built, it looks like they will be in a dog fight all season for a playoff spot, and there is a chance they could not make it.  Do I think they’ll miss the playoffs?  No, because I don’t think Chicago, Anaheim, Seattle, or San Jose will stay in the race, but you never know.  The Jets are a veteran team that knows how to win, but Scott Arniel needs to fix whatever ails them quickly! 

18. CFL:  As a proud Winnipegger, it hurts when you hear people badmouth our hometown, but this week, all we heard is out-of-town visitors here for the Grey Cup compliment the people and hospitality at the events and how terrific they were.  I have to admit it felt nice. Well done, Winnipeg!

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 6

March 6, 2023 by

Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon” 

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, 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. You’ve been warned. [Read more…]

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 18

July 18, 2022 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, 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. You’ve been warned.

 

1. Jets:  A lot of Jets fans are asking how the Jets let RFA, Eric Comrie slip away and turn into a UFA?  Was it an oversight or an organisational decision not to tender a QO to Comrie?  Comrie had played in enough games to still be considered an RFA but he was 90 minutes short in those games to retain his RFA status.  Somebody over at TNSE has some “splaining to do”.  The winner in all this was Eric Comrie who earned himself a tidy little raise and a chance to be the #1 tender in Buffalo.  Two years at $1,800,000 per season is a helluva lot more than he was going to get in Winnipeg.  Good for him.      [Read more…]

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 11

October 11, 2021 by
Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, 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. You’ve been warned. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE

1. Jets:  Just in case you forgot, Mark Scheifele won’t be available for the season opener in Anaheim Wednesday night because he still has to serve one more game of his four-game suspension from last season’s playoffs.    

2. Jets:  I’d feel a lot better about Andrew Copp playing on the second line if Paul Maurice said he wanted to add a defensive presence to the line and not because he believes Copp is a top-six winger.   

3. Jets:  As of today, winger Evgeny Svechnikov is still unsigned but I think it has something to do with the salary cap and his signing is just a formality.   

4. Jets:  This made me smile.

5. NHL:  Has everybody else had enough of Evander Kane and Robin Lehner? 

6. Jets:  The Jets game versus Calgary on Wednesday night was the best Josh Morrissey has looked offensively in ages and he and Nate Schmidt seem to have developed some chemistry together.  I really liked this pairing on the second unit powerplay.

7. Jets:  Upcoming events.

Oct. 13 – First regular-season game at Anaheim.

Oct. 21 – Home opener vs Anaheim.

8. Jets:  I remember a few years back there was talk of Evander Kane to Montreal for Max Pacioretty and at that time I said a “HARD NO”.  Ask me again.  

9. Jets:  Going into camp most Winnipeg Jets fans think this is the biggest talking point.

Will Eric Comrie last the seaon as Jets back-up goalie?

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10. Jets:  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is playing at an elite level so far this season and I’m guessing his early start representing Denmark in Olympic qualifying has a lot to do with it.  I’m expecting big production from him early on and all season.  I think I will take a run at him tonight in our “keeper league” auction.  

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11. NHL:  While I was watching highlights of a Seattle Kraken pre-season game I felt a little bad for the hockey fans of Quebec City.  I guess the only way Quebec City is getting an NHL franchise is if the NHL puts another team in Atlanta and they have to relocate it ten years later.

12. Jets:  Wednesday’s game versus Calgary was the first game this pre-season the Jets dressed a reasonable facsimile of their opening night lineup and although Nate Beaulieu wasn’t awful he did stand out as the weakest link.  He is a battler and a team guy but right now I have him as purely a depth guy, probably 8-9 on my depth chart BUT Paul Maurice probably has him in the 6-7 slot and he’s the boss.   

13. NHL:  Why do most people including sports announcers call pre-season games exhibition games?  That is a very very old-school reference and it irritates the hell out of me.  The NFL doesn’t call them exhibition games, MLB doesn’t call them exhibition games either.  STOP IT. 

14. Jets:  I think Cole Perfetti has outplayed all of the so-called “bubble” players competing for a spot on the Jets roster and he has been better than a lot of veterans that are half-assing it through the pre-season.  It would be a shame for him not to make the Jets 22-man roster but I sort of understand if they send him to the Moose.  There is a bigger picture and I get it but I don’t have to like it.     

UPDATE: 

15. Jets:  Dominic Toninato and Nelson Nogier were placed on waivers Sunday and if they clear will be assigned to the Manitoba Moose.  Cole Perfetti, Kristian Vesalainen, and Evgeny Svechnikov have escaped the axe so far but we won’t know for sure until Wednesday.   

UPDATE: 

16. Jets:  Unless there was some underlying problem between Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets that we don’t know about I wish the Jets would have invested in Laine before committing long term to Kyle Connor.  That doesn’t mean I still wouldn’t want KC but I would have prioritized the true sniper.  KC is a good enough scorer but Laine was elite and didn’t have to be attached at the hip with Mark Scheifele.

17. Jets:  In a bit of a surprise, at least for me, the Winnipeg Jets have assigned David Gustafsson to the Manitoba Moose.  This tells me they are probably going with a 22 man roster.  The good news is Cole Perfetti hasn’t been sent down as of the writing.  Hmmmmmmmmm. 

18.  Jets:  Not that I’m overly concerned about it but Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t looked great during the pre-season games he has played in.   

19. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois has looked decent during the pre-season and all Winnipeg Jets fans are hoping for big things from PLD.  He will definitely be under the microscope early on this season and especially Wednesday night when the Jets play their season opener in Anaheim versus the Ducks without Mark Scheifele.    

20. CFL:  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are now 8-1 after dominating the Edmonton Elks on Friday night.  The Bombers’ defence absolutely smothered the Elks offence for 60 minutes.  I’ve seen a lot of great Bomber defences over the years and some dominant performances but this one was one for the ages.  

PS:  Winnipeg Hockey Talk needs someone interested in writing about the Winnipeg Ice.  If you are interested contact me (Mitch) at winnipeghockeytalk@gmail.com

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

winnipeghockeytalk@gmail.com

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

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

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