June 29 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

June 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 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.

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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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May 4 Random Thoughts on the Manitoba Moose

May 4, 2026 by

1. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose and the Grand Rapids Griffins are tied 1-1 in their best-of-five series, with the final three games (if necessary) being played in Grand Rapids.  It’s going to take some huge effort from the offensively challenged Moose to win 2 games in the Griffins’ barn, but the Moose do have the goaltending to make it interesting.

2. Jets:  If Kyle Connor had half as much “give a shit” in his game as Brad Lambert, he’d be a superstar and a top winger for Team USA in international events.

3.  Moose:  The one thing I’ve noticed about the Manitoba Moose is that Mark Morrison doesn’t stack any line, but distributes the talent to all four lines and rolls them.

4. Moose:  Terell Bauer plays a simple game, and I’m sure he could play some bottom-6 minutes when the Jets require a little edge in the lineup.

5. Moose:  Brad Lambert is an automatic zone entry for the Moose, much like Nik Ehlers was for the Jets.

6. Moose:  I really hope this isn’t another case of Ville Heinola luck.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WINNIPEG, April 30, 2026

Defenceman Elias Salomonsson underwent successful surgery on his shoulder today. His rehabilitation is expected to take five to six months.

7. Things that make me go hmmm 🤔:  I find it interesting that the Moose decided to dress Garrett Brown instead of Alfons Freij.

8. Jets:  Thomas Milic was the Manitoba Moose MVP this season, and right now, probably their best goalie, but Domenic DiVensentiis has been the best goalie in the playoffs to this point and might be the better prospect because of his size.4  It’s going to be an interesting couple of years when talking about Jets goalies.

9. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose put maximum effort into every game, but sure don’t get a lot to show for it.

10.  Moose Turds:

  • Gus is definitely the Moose’s best faceoff man.
  • Domenic DiVincentiis is a much better puck handler than Connor Hellebuyck.
  • Domenic DiVincentiis has only allowed 4 goals in his 4 starts in the playoffs.  Overall, he is 3-1, along with a 1.02 GAA  and a .968 SV%.
  • Attendance was 5,007 on Saturday and 5,487 on Sunday.
  • The NHL Draft Lottery is on Tuesday night.

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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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Feb. 2 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

February 2, 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 

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.

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 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?

Which Manitoba Moose forward would you like to see next?

View Results

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Live on Mondays at 7:00 pm at

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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.  

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