Feb. 9 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

February 9, 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 0-1-1 this past week, and their record sits at a very underwhelming 22-26-8, eleven points out of the playoffs.  The team is now officially playing for pride, while the management is hoping for a better draft pick.     

2. Jets:  With the Jets now on their 3-week Olympic break, it looks like I’ll be spending quite a bit of time bitching about Kevin Cheveldayoff, so if you’re a Chevy lover, you should look away.

3. Jets:  From the Sour Grapes Department:  Nick Suzuki played 16:56 in the Habs’ win over the Jets, and I didn’t even know he played.  I never even noticed him.  Mark Scheifele really got screwed over, not making the Olympic team.

4. Jets:  Question for Scott Arniel:  HTF can I defend you or support you when you keep doing dumb shit?  Add starting Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti, and Dylan Samberg in OVERTIME to the list.  BTW, the Jets weren’t short-handed.

5. Jets:  It is time to have another look at Patrik Laine?

Should the Jets be interested in UFA Patrik Laine?

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6. Jets:  As of Monday morning, the Jets have 26 games left in the regular season, and although they are not mathematically done, they actually have a better chance of winning the draft lottery than making the playoffs. We will now start tracking both.   

7. Things that make me go hmmm: #1 🤔 …. Vincent Trocheck

8. 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 19.10%, up from 21st at 18.70% last week (net 18th at 17.20%)*
  • PK: 18th at 79.00%, down from 17th at 79.50% last week (net 14th at 82.00%)*
  • FO: 12th at 50.40%, down from 12th at 50.70% last week

9. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  13-16-7 … 2.79 GAA … .900 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  9-9-1 … 3.07 GAA … .892 SV%

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

  • Good:  The boys played very well in Dallas last Monday, but their lack of finish reared its ugly head again. 
  • Bad:  This team’s reluctance to shoot the puck and continually play on the perimeter can make an average goalie like Sam Montembeault look good.  
  • Ugly:  The fact that Chevy didn’t make any trades at the mini-trade deadline.  I don’t know why I’m always surprised.   

 

11. Things that make me go hmmm: #2 🤔  I wonder how this team would have done? ******

12. Olympic Hockey:  All times are Central

Canada vs Czechia Thursday 9:40 am   Canada vs Switzerland Friday 2:10 pm

USA vs Latvia Thursday 2:10 pm   USA vs Denmark Saturday 2:10 pm

 

 LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.

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 

  

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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.

Embed from Getty Images

 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?

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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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Jan. 26 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

January 26, 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.  

Program Change:  Harley and Mitch will be LIVE on YouTube at NOON on Monday

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-2-1 this past week, and their record sits at a very underwhelming 20-24-7, ten points out of the playoffs.  The team now heads out on a 4-game road trip in some tough buildings, NJ, Tampa, Florida, and then Dallas.  Good Luck.

#NHLJets Head Coach Scott Arniel postgame: “That was one of the most embarrassing games for me in the last month” pic.twitter.com/en4A5qRfWK

— Winnipeg Sports Talk (@SportsTalkWPG) January 25, 2026

2. Jets:  As the games get tougher, Kyle Connor doesn’t get tougher, he just gets tougher to watch.  His disappearing acts are getting tiresome to watch.

3. Jets:  Elias Salomonsson looked very poised this past week, and I wonder where he slots in on the Jets’ upcoming 4-game road trip.  You can see his confidence growing game by game.  Salomonsson is starting to jump into the play and create a bit.  He looks good, and although the sample size is small, I’d say his AHL days are numbered, and Chevy can start moving guys out (Schenn).

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

Even though he is one of my all-time faves, explain to me why I’m supposed to give a crap that Buff is playing in the Heritage Classic Alumni Game?  Until I can understand why, he quit on his team at the start of training camp, seemingly out of nowhere, I’m going to remain ambivalent until the truth comes out.  I’m not ready to embrace a player who really screwed his team and his fans, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

5. Jets:  The drop-off in scoring on the Jets after the “Big Four” is staggering, and it’s no wonder this team is where it is in the standings so far this year.

6. Jets:  It was only 2 games, but Issac Phillips showed me he could compete for or join in the rotation for 5/6, 3rd pair defenceman.  His skating is okay, he makes good reads, makes the simple plays, and adds some size and edge to the backend.

7. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose split a pair of home games last week and their record sits at 20-15-3-0 as they sit comfortably in 3rd place in the 7-team Central Division with a winning percentage of .566.  The good news is that prospect finally scored a big goal as Brad Lambert scored the winner Sunday afternoon in the final minute of the 3rd period.  It looks like the Moose might be Winnipeg’s only playoff hope.

8. Jets:  Is it maybe time to give another Moose forward a look? 

Which Manitoba Moose forward would you like to see next?

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Watch the WHT YouTube channel live every Monday at 7:00 pm >>>> Winnipeg Hockey Talk on YouTube

9. Jets:  As of Monday morning, the Jets’ 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 🤔 Why is it that Cole Koepke always seems to draw the short straw when it comes to lineup decisions by Scott Arniel?  Sitting Nyquist is a given, but I like Koepke’s speed in the game.  It wouldn’t break my heart to see Vlad, or Pearson, or even Nino join the popcorn brigade here and there.  

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: 18th at 19.90%, up from 21st at 19.50% last week (net 15th at 18.40%)*
  • PK: 17th at 79.50%, up from 19th at 78.60% last week (net 14th at 82.70%)*
  • FO: 12th at 50.60%, down from 11th at 50.80% last week

12. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Connor Hellebuyck:  12-14-6 … 2.69 GAA … .902 SV%
  • Eric Comrie:  8-9-1 … 3.19 GAA … .888 SV%

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

  • Good:  Logan Stanley is playing at a level that no one could have imagined at this time last season.
  • Bad:  The goals at even strength have completely dried up. 
  • Ugly:  The Jets played 4 games this past week, and they scored TWO goals at even strength.  TWO in 12 periods of hockey.  

14. Jets:  Old adage time: This week’s old adage is very pertinent concerning the Winnipeg Jets.  “One game at a time.”

15. Things that make me go hmmm: #2 🤔 I often wonder why trading pending UFAs or trading at the trade deadline seems to trigger a narrative that a team is either a buyer (bulking up for a playoff run) or a seller (basically giving up on the season).  Why can’t you be both?  Example:  If the Jets trade pending free agents Luke Schenn and/or Logan Stanley, what do you think it means?  Are they giving up on the season?  

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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About Winnipeg Hockey talk

January 18, 2026 by

Hi, I am Mitch Kasprick, also known as the “Westdale Curmudgeon“, the owner/writer of winnipeghockeytalk.com.  WHT has a YouTube channel where he talks hockey with his granddaughter and Host, Harley Friesen. 

I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, the 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.

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: June 26

June 26, 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 or is it the 8Ps?  You’ve been warned. [Read more…]

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