Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 29

March 29, 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. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a good week going 3-1-0 and are in contention for 1st place in the North Division.  I’m not sure many Jets fans thought it was possible during the preseason with some of their roster concerns here they are.  They now have an overall record of 21-12-2.

2. Jets:  Basically one day after I declare to the world that I think Andrew Copp is where offence goes to die he scores FOUR goals.  Excuse me while I go remove my foot from my mouth.  All kidding aside, it was nice he scored 4 goals and super cool he won a Jets fan $100,000 but my opinion is still the same, Andrew Copp is a very good third liner and penalty killer, I don’t see him as an offensive player or a top 6 forward on a playoff team.    

3. Jets:  I think I might be like a lot of Jets fans and I’ve started taking Connor Hellebuyck for granted.  It sure is nice having a goaltender that is basically at the top of his game every night.        

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finally hit the ice again after a 12 day layoff and continue their 17-game homestand.  They went 1-2-0 versus the division leading Laval Rocket this past week.  The highlight was a late comeback on Thursday where Skyler McKenzie scored with 32 seconds left to bring them within 1 goal and then David Gustafsson with a buzzer beater with 1 second left in regulation.  The Moose then grabbed the extra point in the shootout.  They lost  tough one on Friday, 1-0 and then let one get away on Sunday afternoon.  The Moose had a 3-1 lead halfway through the 3rd period and ending up losing 5-3 (EN).   

In an interview with the guys from Illegal Curve on Saturday morning, Moose coach Pascal Vincent said that David Gustafsson is NHL ready.  This is not a surprise to anybody that watches the Manitoba Moose regularly.  The nice thing is Gus is a center that is also comfortable on the wing.      

5. Jets:  Poll Question:  Who is your biggest surprise on the Winnipeg Jets roster so far this season?

Who has been the biggest surprise this season? Good or Bad.

View Results

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6. Jets:  In an interview this past week Patrik Laine stated he was blindsided by his trade to Columbus.  Laine is either lying through his teeth or he got unbelievably horrible advice from his agent Mike Liut.  Is it possible Mike Liut was playing a dangerous game of chicken with Kevin Cheveldayoff and Patrik Laine was the collateral damage? 


 7. Jets:  I’m standing by my position that acquiring Mattias Ekholm is just a pipedream.  Winnipeg Jets fans get whipped into a frenzy of hope and anticipation by “the Insiders” just to be disappointed.  Although I hope I’m wrong, I think the asking price will be way to high and Chevy isn’t about to sell the farm on acquiring Ekholm.  I believe there are other options out there that are probably cheaper and make more sense. 

In case you’re wondering, I’m trying reverse psychology … shhhhhh. 

By the way, Nashville is currently in a playoff spot, are they sellers? 

8. NHL:  Good news for Canadian NHL teams, the Federal Government has modified their quarantine policy.  Now players acquired by a Canadian based team from a US based team will only have to quarantine for seven days and not previously required 14 days.

9. Jets:  I’d love to see Jansen Harkins get into the Jets lineup but I guess with the team winning and healthy, Paul Maurice will keep the status quo.  I hope this applies when Nathan Beaulieu is ready to return.    

10. Jets:  Logan Stanley had an eventful week.  The big defenceman got into his first NHL fight during the Vancouver series and on Saturday night in Calgary he scored his first goal, a beauty snap-shot to tie the game in the second period.  Stanley has really opened some eyes with his play and he could be the biggest surprise on the Jets roster to date.

Embed from Getty Images

 

11. Jets:  So far, so good, for the month of March.  At the start of the month I thought if the Jets could play at least  .500 hockey they would still be in contention for 1st or 2nd place in the division.  As of Monday morning they sit at 8-6-1 for the month with 2 games left.  Their best stretch was 2 wins and an OT loss in Toronto that helped them reel in the Maple Leafs at the top of the division.  The last 21 games should be very interesting. 

UPDATE:

After a 5-1 win in Calgary Monday night the Winnipeg Jets finished their 7-game road trip with a 4 wins and 3 loses and improved their record in March to 9-6-1 with one more game remaining.

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets: Poll Question:   TRADE DEADLINE POLL 

Factoring in the cost of acquisition, player’s contract, contract status (term), the actual chance of acquiring said player, and his impact on the roster, who should the Winnipeg Jets pursue?

Who would be your top trade deadline acquisition for the Winnipeg Jets?

View Results

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14. Jets:  If the Winnipeg Jets wait right until the April 12 NHL Trade Deadline any players coming from US based teams will still get 10 regular season games with the Jets after honouring their 7-day quarantine period.  (see#8)

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  Laurent Brossoit possibly played his worst game in a Winnipeg Jets uniforn on Saturday night in Calgary.  I know it’s a team game and his teammates would never throw him under the bus but I can.  LB lost that game for his team.  He didn’t have chance on the 2nd goal but the 3rd and 4th goals would have been stopped by a pee-wee goalie.  Hell the 4th goal wasn’t even a shot on net. 

Helle has spoiled us but to be fair LB has been pretty darn good all season as well.  (see #3) 

17. Jets:  Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division.  Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.

  • PP: 2nd at 26.70% up from 25.80% last week.
  • PK: 1st at 78.60 up from 78.60% last week. 
  • FO: 4th at 48 .60 up from 48.40% last week.

18. Jets:  Tucker Poolman finally got off the schneid Friday night in Calgary with a nice primary assist on Kyle Connors semi-breakaway goal.  Like I said last week, his skillset is too good to be pointless.      

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  16-9-2 … 2.63 GAA … .917 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  5-3-0 … 2.63 GAA … .914 SV%

20. Jets:  There are parts of me that don’t want to like our 4th line because I want to see Jansen Harkins and Kristian Vesalainen playing but for me Nate Thompson, Trevor Lewis, and Mathieu Perreault have been much better than I expected and have earned their ice-time.    

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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:

[email protected]

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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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 22

March 22, 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. 

 

If you’re a fan of Andrew Copp you might want to ignore #2, #10 & #11.  

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets did not have a very good week going 1-3-0, although for the most part I thought they played fairly well.  They had a shot at winning both games in Edmonton but they haven’t figured out how to stop Connor McDavid.  They now have an overall record of 18-11-2 and sit in 3rd place in the North Division.

2. Jets:  I’m not sure what exactly triggered this and it has been slowly building but lately Andrew Copp is really been irritating me.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked his play with Adam Lowry and whoever is on the right-winger with that line but I’ve NEVER bought into the narrative that he could be a top-six forward and especially not on this Jets team.  I don’t like him or his stone hands on the second powerplay unit either.  I like him on the 3rd line and on the penalty kill and that’s it. 

3. Jets:  Prospects are currency and the Jets have plenty of prospect currency to trade if need be.  This is part of “draft and develop.  Every prospect is not going to play with the big club, there just isn’t enough room on the roster and if you have prospects ready to play but nowhere to play them means your scouting department is doing a good job.  The trick and balancing act is trading them while their value is still considered high (not like Jack Roslovic) and not letting them over-ripen on the farm.  Outside of Ville Heinola, Dylan Samberg, and Cole Perfetti, I say the Winnipeg Jets should be open for business.  

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose get back into game action on Thursday after a 12 day layoff.  I’m looking forward to watching Cole Perfetti play.  Perfetti is the Jets prospect that has really caught my eye early on and I want to see him play more before the OHL restarts and he heads back to junior.

5. Jets:  The Jets can part ways with Charlie Huddy anytime now and I would be more than okay with it. 

6. Jets:  The Jets have played 11 of their 17 March games with 12 being on the road and I mentioned at the start of the month that they needed to be .500 or better to stay in the hunt and as of this morning they are 5-5-1.  They really need to get a couple wins or more this week to stay on pace.  The good guys play 5 games in 8 nights and 6 games in 10 nights to end the month and I think they need to get some fresh legs into the lineup.  Jansen Harkins and/or Kristian Vesalainen will hopefully get into some games and maybe even Ville Heinola although I won’t hold my breath on Heinola.

7. Jets: Does it bother anybody else that the Winnipeg Jets’ best offensive defenceman (Neal Pionk) doesn’t run the top powerplay?  I don’t want to hear any BS about a left versus right shot thing being the argument either.  Nobody is buying that line of crap.  For crying out loud Paul Maurice will you please put your best players where they belong and stop overthinking everything.     

8. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets will never have success against the Edmonton Oilers until the figure out they need to pay special attention to Connor McDavid.  It is impossible to completely neutralize McDavid but you need to be harder on him.  The Jets coaches still think we can trade chances with the Oilers because our top six is better than the Oilers but as good as our top six forwards are we don’t have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl I’m sick of losing to TWO guys.  Figure it out Maurice.      

9. Jets:  As Pierre-Luc Dubois gets more comfortable you can see the chemistry developing with Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers and it is only a matter of time before they are the #1 line.

10. Jets:  I believe it is time to give the more offensive Mason Appleton a little taste on the 2nd unit PP instead of stone-hands Andrew Copp.  Unlike Copp, I believe Appleton might actually have a chance at being a top-six winger down the road.  No rush, just a thought.  Appleton’s improved played was unexpected for me but a very nice surprise.        

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11. Jets:  I’m not even sure if there is a stat that tracks a team’s icings but I would bet the Winnipeg Jets lead the league and I’ll even take it one step further and say that we lead the league in the most brain-dead icings with Andrew Copp being the leader.       

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets: Poll Question:   TRADE DEADLINE POLL 

Factoring in the cost of acquisition, player’s contract, contract status (term), the actual chance of acquiring said player, and his impact on the roster, who should the Winnipeg Jets pursue?

Who would be your top trade deadline acquisition for the Winnipeg Jets?

View Results

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14. Jets:  I wonder what Buff is doing?  Now that would be a trade deadline acquisition.  Dustin Byfuglien brought more than a big body and tremendous skill, he gave this team a swagger that they’ve lost in his absence.  The Jets played 3 inches taller with Buff on this team, nobody was going to take advantage of them on his watch.  I’m talking to you Zach Kassian. 

HEY!  IT IS MY ARTICLE AND I CAN DREAM IF I WANT.

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I find it hard to believe that a player with a skillset like Tucker Poolman has ZERO points after 17 games.   

17. Jets:  Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division.  Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.

  • PP: 3rd at 25.80% up from 25.00% last week.
  • PK: 3rd at 78.70 up from 77.60% last week. 
  • FO: 4th at 48 .40 up from 48.20% last week.

18. Jets:  Just a thought here but if Chevy can make a trade for Travis Hamonic while the Jets are in Vancouver this week they should be able to bring him home within the constraints of their team bubble avoiding a 14-day quarantine much like Toronto did with Alex Galchenyuk from Ottawa.  Keep in mind that was based on Ontario’s protocols.   

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  13-9-2 … 2.83 GAA … .911 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  5-2-0 … 2.43 GAA … .920 SV%

20. Jets:  I can’t see Logan Stanley coming out of the lineup when Nate Beaulieu is healthy.  Stanley is young and improving and already does everything better than Nate.   

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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:

[email protected]

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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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 8

March 8, 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. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets split two home games with Vancouver and two road games in Montreal this past week but the 7-1 ass-kicking they got in the second game versus the Habs on Saturday night was the game that got everybody’s attention.  After a an even first period it was astounding how fast that game went off the rails.  Hopefully that was a one off because it doesn’t get any easier this week with a 3-game series in Toronto.  The Jets now have an overall record of 15-8-1.

2. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu is really starting to wear on the Jets fanbase and the more Winnipeg fans bitch and complain about him, the more Paul Maurice digs his heals in.  I don’t get it and it really bothers me that Logan Stanley and Sami Niku aren’t playing anywhere.  I’ll keep saying this until I’m blue in the face that young players need to play.  It looks like neither will play unless there is an injury but we will see tomorrow night in Toronto.  Miracles do happen. 

3. Jets:  It looks like Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry have come back down to earth.  When was that last time either of them have tickled the twine?  It has been over TEN games for both of them.  In the last ten games Mason Appleton has carried that line with four goals.  If we have any hope of success in the upcoming three-game series in Toronto, the Copp/Lowry/Appleton line needs to chip in.  Giddy-up boys    

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finished their eight-game road trip with a 4-4 record and now they sit at 6-6-0-0 overall for the season.  The Moose are now at home for 17 straight games.  It’s time to make hay.   

5. Jets:  There is a lot of talk on Twitter that the Winnipeg Jets should pursue Mattias Ekholm before the NHL trade deadline.  I don’t disagree with the sentiment, I just think it’s a pipe dream.  Ekholm has good size, better than average offensive instincts, and he can play top-pairing minutes.  He has a very team-friendly $3,750,000 per year contract that runs through the 2021-22 season AND doesn’t include a no-trade clause.  What’s not to like?  The problem is he will be one of the hottest commodities in recent trade deadlines and he won’t come cheap.  I’m not getting my hopes up that we have a shot at him and I would be satisfied with a player like David Savard, Brandon Montour, or Colin Miller.  Although I don’t think the Jets have a hope in hell of acquiring Ekholm it doesn’t mean I’m not hoping they do.  I would love to eat my words here.  (see #13)

6. NHL:  Patrik Laine has gone pointless in his last six games.  Do you think he misses the Jets first unit powerplay and those sweet cross-ice saucer passes from the captain?  His supporting cast is just not the same in Columbus and I’d be shocked if he signs there long-term unless they get him some help.  BTW, after an unconscious start in Columbus, Jack Roslovic has cooled down with only five points in his last ten games.   

7. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois is now centering #81 and #27 and this line has potential to be elite.  They are not exactly off to a great start so I hope Paul Maurice leaves them together and lets them gel.  They could be scary good.     

8. Jets:  I am now officially moving Tucker Poolman to my underrated list.  I think he has played very well since returning to the lineup and I for one haven’t really given him enough props.   

9. Jets:  On Thursday night Derek Forbort set a single-game franchise record with 11 blocked shots in the win against Montreal.  The oddity about this is I thought it was one of his poorest games all season.  I guess we can give him a pass because he has been pretty good all year and we ended up winning the game.    

10. Jets:  Connor Hellebuyck has had some shitty luck with a rash of chimpy deflections beating him the last little while.  Just a thought, maybe our defenceman should stop screening him AND do a better job of moving guys in front of the net or tying-up their sticks a little better. 

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11. Jets:  Every time I feel like venting after a Jets loss, I just gather myself, look to the heavens, and thank the Lord I’m not a Buffalo Sabres fan.  What an absolute shit-show. 

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets: Poll Question:  Factoring in the cost of acquisition, player’s contract, contract status (term), the actual chance of acquiring said player, and his impact on the roster, who should the Winnipeg Jets pursue?

Who would be your top trade deadline acquisition for the Winnipeg Jets?

View Results

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14. Jets:  Paul Stastny is like a fine wine, he just gets better with age.  He is a joy to watch and I will be shocked if the Jets don’t try and resign him for a couple of more seasons as a place-holder for Cole Perfetti.    

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  Would it be fair to say that Connor Hellebuyck has been pretty good this season but nowhere close to his Vezina form from last year?   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division.  Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.

  • PP: 3rd at 23.60% up from 23.40% last week.
  • PK: 4th at 77.10 down from 80.00% last week. 
  • FO: 6th at 48 .80 down from 49.50% last week … BRUTAL, the only center winning his share is Paul Stastny.

18. Jets:  I wonder if Paul Maurice would still find room for Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup if the Jets did indeed acquire Mattias Ekholm?  I feel a little bad piling on poor Nate because I actually don’t mind him.  It’s not his fault PoMo misuses a depth defenceman and gives him top pairing minutes.  

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  11-7-1 … 2.73 GAA … .911 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  4-1-0 … 2.57 GAA … .923 SV%

20. NHL:  RIP Walter Gretzky 

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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:

[email protected]

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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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 22

February 22, 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. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a real good week going 3-1-0 on their four-game road trip, splitting their two-game set with Edmonton and sweeping their two games versus Vancouver.  Their record is 11-6-1 overall for the season.

2. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois finally got back into the lineup Sunday night and was a major impact with 2 goals and a helper including the OT winner.  Sunday night PLD officially became a Winnipeg Jets fan fave.  I’m happy for the Jets fans that didn’t know much about him.  This performance might help take the sting out of trading Patrik Laine.      

3. Jets:  I think most Jets fans would agree Neal Pionk really struggled in the bubble this past summer but he actually had a pretty good first season with the Winnipeg Jets and to this point his second season looks to be even better.  I’m still puzzled why Paul Maurice doesn’t have him quarterbacking the first unit powerplay though.  I think he is the better option over Josh Morrissey.  (see the poll question at #13)

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finished their first week of play with a 2-2-0 record after splitting their four-game homestand with the Toronto Marlies.  It was good seeing prospects Cole Perfetti, Dylan Samberg, and Ville Heinola finally playing.  I had not seen Samberg play in over a year and I forgot what an underrated puck mover he is.    

5. Jets:  Like I mentioned last week, Nathan Beaulieu has officially become the fanbase’s new whipping boy but Nate Thompson is right behind him and he hasn’t really done anything wrong outside of the fact he is in the lineup over some fans favourites.  FYI, it’s not his fault.  

6. Jets:  I don’t think he has done this before but on Sunday night Paul Maurice did something I have wondered about for a few years.  Why don’t coaches start three forwards in overtime a lot more often?  He started Pierre-Luc Dubois, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler in OT vs Vancouver and Dubois popped the game winner 27 seconds later.  I don’t think this will be a regular thing but I liked it.      

7. Jets:  I am getting a little tired of hearing how bad the Winnipeg Jets analytics are because their underwhelming Corsi and Fenwick numbers can be very misleading.  The Jets aren’t a high volume shots and attempts team because they pass up shooting situations looking for a better play unlike other teams that are considered “possession teams” that fire the puck on net from all angles every chance they get.   A lot of these shots look good in the shot metrics but how many are actually good scoring chances?  For me shot volume is not possession, possessing the puck is possession.  Players like Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, KyleConnor, Nick Ehlers, Paul Stastny seldom ever think shot first.  They will carry the puck, cycle the puck, look for teammates, curl when crossing the blueline while players on other teams shoot on net (Evander Kane) as soon as they cross the blueline.  Watch the Jets on their zone entries and keep this in mind when they show the shot metrics in-between periods.  The metrics don’t always tell the true story and especially with this Jets team.  Take this from an old WHA Jets fan that watched that team score 5-6 goals a night they didn’t shoot a lot.  Their possession was actually possession, not shot volume, although on a lot of nights they had that too.     

8. Jets:  It’s time for Logan Stanley to get back into the lineup.  Tucker Poolman and Nathan Beaulieu aren’t good enough to be playing regularly over Stanley. 

9. Jets:  After looking a little sluggish early in the season, Blake Wheeler seems to have found his giddy-up once again.  It is quite obvious now that Wheeler was playing through something but the past couple of games he looks more like himself.  The criticism he is/was receiving was very unfair and especially when we don’t know the whole story.        

10. NHL: A huge congratulations to Winnipegger, Travis Zajac on his 1000th NHL game on Sunday afternoon, all with the New Jersey Devils.  Travis is one of my favourite Winnipeg hockey players going all the way back to his AAA Bantam days with the Winnipeg Hawks.  He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2004 in the first round, 20th overall and has put up pretty solid numbers over his NHL career with 197 goal and 337 assists totaling 534 points in the regular season and in 57 playoff games he has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. 

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11. NHL:  PLEASE fix your officials.  In the Jets game last week versus Ottawa the two referees sucked on their whistles the whole game ignoring obvious infractions and in the Jets next game against Edmonton they were whistle happy and calling phantom penalties.  There is no consistency from game to game which really frustrates players and fans alike.  

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets: Poll Question:

Who would you prefer running the Winnipeg Jets #1 powerplay?

View Results

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14. NHL:  I’m sure by now everyone has an opinion about the eight hour weather delay at the NHL’s outdoor game in Lake Tahoe.  On Saturday, after finishing the first period the game had to be delayed because the clear skies and sunshine turned the ice into slush.  The panel and the announcers on the NBC broadcast asked more than once “how could the NHL have planned for this?”.  REALLY?  It never occurred to Gary Bettman and the NHL that the sun might magically come out in the middle of the day?  Didn’t this actually happen in Winnipeg during the Heritage Classic?  Sometimes “Count Chocula” just makes it too easy to to crap on him.

On a positive note, it sure was a magnificent setting.  Who needs fans?

Image

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I wish Jets fans would just pull for the players in the lineup instead of bitching about the players not in the lineup.  (see #5)   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division.  Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.

  • PP: 3rd at 22.80% up from 20.00% last week.
  • PK: 2nd at 80.40 down from 81.00% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 48 .70 down from 49.20% last week.

18. Jets:  Jets fans are wondering who broke Josh Morrissey?  He has been good, bad, and indifferent all season.  He is definitely off. 

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  8-5-1 … 2.64 GAA … .916 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  3-1-0 … 2.24 GAA … .935 SV%

20. NHL:  Why doesn’t the NHL include playoff games when talking about a player’s total games played?  (see #10)

*

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:

[email protected]

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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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 15

February 15, 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.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a terrible week going 1-2-0 in their three games but it was the way they lost and the points they pissed away … again.  The game versus Ottawa on Saturday had shades of the Edmonton loss three Sundays ago, once again losing with under two seconds left in the game and leaving a bitter taste in Jets fans mouths.  Their record is 8-5-1 overall for the season. 

2. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois finally made his debut in a Jets jersey last week and was just starting to get his feet wet playing in two games when a lower body injury kept him out of Saturday’s game and leaving him doubtful for tonight’s game.  Winnipeg Jets fans are chomping at the bit to see the real PLD play and see how much he improves this team.       

3. Jets:  Tucker Poolman finally returned to the lineup after his bout with Covd-19 and looked pretty good but the puzzling thing is Paul Maurice dressed seven defencemen for his return game.  I guess it was just in case Poolman wasn’t up to speed or as a precaution but it left most observers shaking their heads.  If the coach didn’t think Poolman was ready to play then DON’T dress him.  All this did was mess up the forward lines.  Maurice gets a lot of criticism in this town and he brings an awful lot of it upon himself.  Sometimes he just can’t help himself.          

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose start their AHL season tonight and I can hardly wait to see Cole Perfetti, Ville Heinola, and Dylan Samberg play.  I bet Pascal Vincent can’t wipe the smile off his face.    

5. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu has officially become the fanbase’s new whipping boy.  Like I said a couple of weeks ago he has been ok but his ceiling is adequate and that’s not good enough when there are better players waiting in the wings.  Move over Paul Maurice you have company.

6. Jets:  March 7, 2020 was the last time Dylan Samberg suited up for a meaningful hockey game so I can see why the Winnipeg Jets want to get him some playing time with the Manitoba Moose but the opinions are not the same when it comes to Ville Heinola.  Sending Heinola to the Moose has everybody and I mean everybody scratching their heads.  Heinola was an absolute stud at the World Juniors in Edmonton and in his only NHL game versus Ottawa (game 4) he played very well and complimented Josh Morrissey quite nicely.  It is also no coincidence that was Morrissey’s best game of the season.  Once again the Jets brain trust leaves Jets fans shaking their heads.    

7. Jets:  I feel like firing somebody, how about Charlie Huddy?   

8. NHL:  What’s up with Alex Galchenyuk?  He was drafted by Montreal Canadiens, 3rd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and is now on his 6th NHL team.  When I watch him play I don’t see a bust but for whatever reason he can’t find a home.  

UPDATE:

You might not believe this but Alex Galchenyuk has been traded again before he even reported to Carolina (his 6th team).  Make the Toronto Maple Leafs team number seven.

9. Jets:  I’m not sure there is one Winnipeg Jets fan that would disagree with me when I say Connor Hellebuyck needs to stay in his f’n net.  He single handedly gave away the hockey game on Saturday against Ottawa by playing a puck he didn’t need to with a few seconds left in the game, confusing his defencemen and before you know it … BAM GAME OVER.   

10. Jets:  Kristian Vesalainen’s game is coming along quite nicely and he seems to be gaining a little bit of confidence.  I think he has a top-6 skillset and I can see him being there in a couple of seasons.

Embed from Getty Images

11. NHL:  With the way Covid-19 is spreading its way through the US based NHL teams a Canadian team might win the Stanley Cup by default.               

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets:  The Jets just went through the softest part of their schedule and have a record of 8-5-1 and it could have and should have been 2-4 points better in my opinion.  Now they are going to have to play some good hockey to make up for those lost points.  They play two games in Edmonton and two games in Vancouver this week and I would like to see at least four more points in the standings this week. 

UPDATE:

The Winnipeg Jets started off their four-game roads trip with a wild 6-5 regulation win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.   

14. Jets:  It’s amazing how fast Andrew Ladd fell of the map after he left the Winnipeg Jets as a UFA and signed with the New York Islanders.  In my opinion he was too a good a player to fall from grace as fast as he did.  Too bad, I always like him and his game.

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I love Paul Stastny’s game and I would love to see him re-sign here for a couple more years but not at his current ticket which is $6,500,000 per season.  I could live with that number over two seasons but could Stastny?  I doubt it, somebody will pay him when he becomes a UFA this summer.   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

  • PP: 13th at 22.00% up from 20.00% last week.
  • PK: 14th at 81.10 down from 81.30% last week. 
  • FO: 18th at 49 .20 down from 49.70% last week.

These stats are put out by the NHL on their website but I’m not sure whether these overall rankings actually mean anything since teams are only playing games within their division.  This season I believe the stats accumulated are only comparable to the other teams in their division.  I would like to see how the Jets compare to the rest of the Scotia North Division.   

18. Jets: The Jets situational face-off wins are still very poor.  They rarely start the PP with the puck unless Paul Stastny takes the faceoff and they seem to lose every draw on the PK and get hemmed in their own zone for the whole two minutes.  Statistically their penalty kill numbers don’t look bad but that has a lot to do with their goaltending.      

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  6-4-1 … 2.36 GAA … .921 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  2-1-0 … 2.98 GAA … .918 SV%

20. Jets:  My defence pairings.

Morrissey … DeMelo  

Forbort … Pionk

Heinola … Poolman 

Stanley

Does anybody have a problem with this?

*

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:

[email protected]

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

*

Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , ,

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