Jets Talk: Oct. 26

October 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a deeper dive into Jets Talk 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.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  The nightmare for Winnipeg Jets fans is finally over as Connor Hellebuyck has been traded to the New Jersey Devils.

2. Jets:   Winnipeg Jets played 3 games last week, finishing with a 0-2-1 record and 4-4-3 overall.

3. Jets:  Pet Peeve:  The Jets only seem to make roster decisions based on injuries and rarely on merit.

4. Jets:  Where were we at this time last season?

2025-26:  8-3-0, 16 pts.   GF: 40  GA: 28
2026-27:  4-4-3, 11 pts.    GF: 27  GA:  31

5. Jets: Poll Question:  Thoughts on the trade?

Now that Connor Hellebuyck has been trade how do you feel about the return?

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6. Jets:  Things that make me go hmmm: #1 🤔 Are we witnessing another Gus Nyquist situation on the Jets this season, but this time it’s Nino?  How long is the brainless trust going to wait this time?

7. 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: 19th at 19.40% down from 3rd at 30.00% 
  • PK: 14th at 80.40% up from 20th at 78.90% 
  • FO: 30th at 45.40% down from 29th at 45.90%

8. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Stuart Skinner:  3-2-3 … 2.60 GAA … .911 SV%
  • Clay Stevenson:  1-2-0 … 3.08 GAA … .893 SV%

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

  • Good:  Stuart Skinner. Everything about the Heritage Classic (32,342).
  • Bad:  The Jets’ power play is MIA again, ZERO for their last TWELVE.  Me, I really wanted to love Buff this weekend, but I’m still not over him leaving us high and dry after an offseason where we already lost Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot.
  • Ugly:  Faceoffs AGAIN.  In a game they lost 3-2 in OT, they were 38.5% 🤮

10. Tidbits and FYIs:

  • Walker Duehr cleared waivers and was assigned to the Moose.
  • Elias Salomonsson has been recalled by the Jets.
  • Jack St. Ivany was placed on waivers, and Vlad Namestnikov was placed on the IR to create roster spots after the big trade.
  • Jack St. Ivany was claimed from waivers by Washington. 
  • The Manitoba Moose are 7-2 to start their season.  GF: 38 GA: 20  🫎
  • Brayden Yager has 11 points in 7 games.
  • After a shaky start, I thought Salomonsson played pretty well in his first game back after a long rehab.

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look.

 

 

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October 19 Random Thoughts on Jets Talk

October 19, 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 a look at the opening night roster and viewer questions.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets played 3 games last week, finishing 1-1-1 record and 4-2-2 overall, and currently sit in the 1st wildcard position.

2. Jets:  Josh Morrissey’s injury has been downgraded to week-to-week.  We could be in trouble. (Not good news)

3. Jets:  After second thoughts, Jack St. Ivany is too slow for the NHL.

4. Jets:  Where were we at this time last season?

2025-26:  6-2-0, 8 pts.   GF: 28  GA: 19
2026-27:  4-2-2, 7 pts.    GF: 23  GA:  24

5. Jets: Poll Question:  Things could come to a head this week with Helle’s suspension expiring on Friday.  NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes the Utah Mammoth are determined to acquire Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

What should Chevy do now that Helle is officially a "holdout"?

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6. Jets:  Things that make me go hmmm: #1🤔Where is all this impatience coming from with Brad Lambert?  He has a total of 38 NHL games under his belt.  Are you serious?

7. 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: 3rd at 30.00% 
  • PK: 20th at 78.90% 
  • FO: 29th at 45.90%

8. Jets:  Goaltending:

  • Stuart Skinner:  3-0-2 … 2.76 GAA … .906 SV%
  • Clay Stevenson:  1-2-0 … 3.08 GAA … .893 SV%

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

  • Good:  The top line and 3rd line are playing well.
  • Bad:  The Jets’ defencemen!  Too many giveaways and seem to have no clue how to defend in front of their goaltenders.    
  • Ugly: Faceoffs AGAIN and front-of-the-net/slot coverage.  (Maybe bring Jonathan Toews in as a faceoff coach)

10. Tidbits and FYIs:

  • Stuart Skinner hasn’t lost in regulation time yet. (JINX)
  • The Manitoba Moose are 5-1 to start their season.  GF: 29 GA: 13
  • Nikita Chibrikov and Brayden Yager lead the Moose in scoring with 9 points in 6 games.
  • Heritage Classic is this coming Sunday.
  • The Jets still have 12 players with 0 goals.
  • The Jets have recalled Brayden Yager from the Manitoba Moose 🫎
  • Elias Salomonsson has been activated and loaned to the Moose for conditioning purposes.

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look.

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September 28 Winnipeg Jets’ Opening Day Lineup.

September 30, 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 a look at the opening night roster and viewer questions.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  It’s a new season, with a new roster, new lines, new goaltenders, and new hope for the Winnipeg Jets. 

To get down to the 23-man roster limit, the Winnipeg Jets assigned Brayden Yager and Domenic DiVincentiis to the Manitoba Moose.

  • Goaltenders: 
  • Stuart Skinner … Clay Stevenson
  • Defencemen:
  • Josh Morrissey … Dylan DeMelo
  • Dylan Samberg … Neal Pionk
  • Mario Ferraro … Tyrel Bauer
  • Hayden Fleury … Jack St. Ivany
  • Forwards:
  • Kyle Connor … Mark Scheifele … Cole Perfetti
  • Isak Rosen … Viggo Bjorck … Gabe Vilardi
  • Morgan Barron … Adam Lowry … Brad Lambert
  • Nino Niederreiter … Vlad Namestnikov … Alex Iafallo … Cole Koepke
  • IR:
  • Garrett Brown … Elias Salomonsson … Walker Duehr

2. Jets:  Poll Question:

What should Chevy do now that Helle is officially a "holdout"?

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 3. Jets:  According to multiple “INSIDERS,” a possible Connor Hellebuyck deal could hinge on a trade between Carolina and St. Louis involving Alexander Nikishin.  This trade may or may not happen, but if it does, then the next domino could be Helle.  Stay tuned!

4. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have their history back as the NHL announces consolidation of the Winnipeg Jets’ history and has united both franchise eras into one official statistical history.

The Jets’ history now includes their first stint in Winnipeg (1979-96) as well as their years as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011) and their seasons in Winnipeg since 2011-12.

5. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets 2026 October Schedule.

The 84-game schedule has the Jets playing all their Central Division rivals four times, a pair at home and a pair on the road, for a total of 28 games.  They will play Pacific Division teams three times, while hosting and visiting all 16 Eastern Conference teams once.

Winnipeg has nine back-to-backs this season: six are two straight games on the road, two feature a home-and-road game, and one will be back-to-back games in Winnipeg against the Dallas Stars.

Viewer questions for the show:

From Ben: 

1.  What will Chevy and Helle’s mindsets be on either of the following?  Jets start season 8-2 or Jets start season 2-8.

2.  What kind of leash will Clay Stevenson have to prove himself before they either have to make another move or Milic or Dom get broken in?

From Sparky:

1.  Could the Jets have one of their best 4th lines?

2.  Is Chibrikov’s window closing?

From Andy:

1.  What do you think of our goalie we got off waivers?

2.  How much is Bauer gonna get into the rotation?

 

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look, and with the answers to the questions above.

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September 7 Winnipeg Jets Late-summer Update.

August 1, 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 August wrap-up at 7 pm, Sept. 7, on the Winnipeg Jets.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  Connor Hellebuyck is still a Winnipeg Jet, but things could be changing as Helle has officially confirmed his trade request.  It is no longer speculation.  I guess the intent of the announcement through his agent, Ray Petkau, is “pitter-patter, let’s get at’er”; camp is getting close.      

Statement in response from Kevin Cheveldayoff:

“Connor has been open with us about his desire for a change. He has been an important part of
the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years, and we have tremendous respect for what he
has accomplished here. While we continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful
manner, there is no update at this time.”

2. Jets:  There have been rumblings that Elias Salomonsson’s recovery is tracking toward being ready around training camp or the beginning of the regular season.  This is good news if it is accurate.  

3. NHL:  How many times have I said the NHL doesn’t play on a level playing field?

4. Jets:  The Athletics’ annual GM confidence rankings came out, and Winnipeg’s Kevin Cheveldayov came in at a very underwhelming and well-deserved 26th place.  Each team’s management group was graded on how their decisions are perceived by not only their own fan base, but the public at large.

2025 ranking: 12

They never play the young guys, they get frustrated and then leave because they aren’t getting a chance.

I’m not sure I agree with this one.  Who left?  I want names.  Rutger McGroarty?  Isn’t he still in the AHL?

The front office doesn’t seem to have a vision on what they are doing, whether that be rebuilding or getting assets needed to win right now.

Fans exaggerate their drafting and development woes, but, indeed, it hasn’t been the strength it needs to be.  Not every late first/second can be a home run, but when you’re Winnipeg, at least one of them needs to be.

No team has dropped further, and that should come as no surprise given the team’s drop in the standings, especially with their former star, Nik Ehlers, playing a feature role in a Stanley Cup win and Connor Hellebuyck’s future currently a hot topic.  Not a look one year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy.

While the Jets get points for moving on from Logan Stanley and adding Mario Ferraro this summer, there’s too much bad adding up, leading to a lot of lost confidence. The Jets are in a precarious position, and it’s become tough to trust Kevin Cheveldayoff to get them out of it, especially with a stubbornness to contend with a middling roster.

5. Jets:  As of today (Sept.7), Logan Stanley is an unsigned UFA.

6. Jets:  I think Helle was fine until he won the Gold Medal and was clearly brainwashed by the Team USA guys.  They got into his head.

7. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms with defenceman Tyrel Bauer on a two-year contract with an average annual value in the NHL of $875,000.  The deal is a two-way contract in 2026-27 and a one-way contract in 2027-28.

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July 6 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets

July 8, 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 July 7 Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets.

Listen to a more detailed version of the Curmudgeon’s thoughts.

 

 

1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets dipped their toes into the UFA pool on July 1, the opening day and signed two interesting players in goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Mario Ferraro.

2. NHL:  The early stages of “Free Agent Frenzy 2026” has come and gone with a few interesting names still on the board.

3. Jets:  Cole Perfetti has filed for salary arbitration.  Is this a big deal?

4. NHL:  NHL salary arbitration is a formal process that allows eligible Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) and their teams to settle contract disputes.  Both sides submit a proposed salary to a neutral arbitrator, who holds a hearing and issues a binding one or two-year contract for the player.

The arbitration process works according to the following specific rules:
  • Eligibility: To file, players must have accrued enough professional experience.  Eligibility depends on the age at which they signed their first contract (e.g., typically four years for players aged 18-20). 
  • The Hearing: Both the player and the team present arguments, evidence (such as statistics and injury history), and a desired salary to the arbitrator. In the NHL, arbitrators have the flexibility to rule anywhere between the two proposed salaries.
  • Settlements: The vast majority of cases are settled before the official hearing.  The player and team can continue to negotiate right up until the arbitrator announces their ruling. 
  • Walk-Away Rights: Once the arbitrator makes a decision, the team has the right to “walk away” from the award if the salary exceeds a certain threshold (adjusted annually, e.g., $4.95M), which makes the player an unrestricted free agent.

5. Jets:  Connor Hellebuyck is still a Winnipeg Jet.

6. NHL:  Interesting.

Questions for the show:

From Andy:

1. At Comrie’s price, why didn’t they re-sign him instead of Skinner?

2. Do you think our first-round pick will crack the lineup?

From Ben:
1. Do you think we are in a win-win situation, Mitch? If Helle stays, we have a legit backup, so maybe Helle only plays 50 games and is rested for the playoffs. Or, if Chevy does get good compensation on a deal, we gather more assets and still have competence in net

2.  Based on what everyone is saying about Viggo’s camp, is it out of the question to think our drastic search for that elusive 2C is over?

From Sparky:

1. Once the Jets move Helly, how soon will 55 and 81 want out?
2. Who’s this new Dman?

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look, and with the answers to the questions above.

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