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
1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets went 2-1-0 this past week, and their record sits at a very underwhelming 22-25-7, nine points out of the playoffs. The team now has two games left before the Olympic break and the 1st mini-trade deadline.
2. Jets: I’ve been watching Luke Schenn quite a bit lately and although he is where offence goes to die, I understand why he moves at the trade deadline and why teams like that type of player in the playoffs. His underlying numbers are weak but isn’t that because of his role and the players he plays behind. Think about it. The only line that is scoring is the Scheifele line and he rarely plays behind them so of course his 5v5 efficiency will be skewed. At playoff time when the officials “let them play” a little more his toughness is valued.
3. Jets: Elias Salomonsson has surprised me with his level of physicality. He is shaping into a top-4 defenceman before our eyes.
4. Jets: From the “Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.
Even though he has one of the toughest jobs in the NHL, I think it’s time to move on from Chevy. For the most part he has done an acceptable job, some good things and some bad things but this past trade deadline and off-season he did the unacceptable and let a top UFA walk for nothing. Managerial malpractice and should be a firing offence in this market where the Jets have to target 35-year-old players at the end of their careers. Chevy valued TWO declining assets in the previous couple of seasons prior and him and his whole staff undervalued the importance and value of Nikolaj Ehlers. For me that was the last straw so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
5. Jets: The rumor of a deal between Seattle and Winnipeg seems to be gaining some traction with Cole Perfetti and Shane Wright being the main principles involved. A deal in this realm wouldn’t break my heart but I won’t hold my breath waiting for Chevy to make a meaningful trade until the actual trade deadline if he does anything at all.
6. Jets: Mark Scheifele is playing at a very high level, and right now I’d say he might be the best passer of the puck in the league. His vision, stick-handling, and playmaking are elite.
7. Jets: Does anybody miss Neal Pionk and his 8 measly points and his plethora of free pizzas?
8. Jets: It is time to give another Moose forward a look. Which one or two?
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9. Jets: As of Monday morning, the Jets’ have 28 games left in the regular season and their chances of making the playoffs are sitting at a paltry 5.6%, 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 🤔 I’ve started watching faceoffs a lot more lately and especially on the PK, and I have noticed that for the most part all of our centers do a pretty good job and that it is the wingers and defenseman that are the weak link. They look like 98-lb weaklings at the beach, getting sand kicked in their faces. It takes more than a good center to win a draw, and I wondered if it’s something they work on or just talk about because they are very poor at it. Hmmmmm.
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 18.70%, down from 21st at 19.90% last week (net 18th at 17.30%)*
- PK: 17th at 79.50%, up from 17th at 79.50% last week (net 14th at 82.60%)*
- FO: 12th at 50.70%, up from 12th at 50.60% last week
12. Jets: Goaltending:
- Connor Hellebuyck: 13-15-6 … 2.71 GAA … .902 SV%
- Eric Comrie: 9-9-1 … 3.07 GAA … .892 SV%
13. Jets: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly this past week.
- Good: Two out of three so far on their 4-game road trip.
- Bad: The goals at even strength are still tough to come by, but seem even harder on their PP.
- Ugly: Trying to win a faceoff while being short-handed.
14. Jets: Old adage time: This week’s old adage is very pertinent concerning the Winnipeg Jets. It’s Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight, It’s the Size of the Fight in the Dog
15. Things that make me go hmmm: #2🤔 HTF is Mark Scheifele not on Canada’s Olympic hockey team? (see #6)
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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1. WHC: 
