FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Jonathan Toews had a heck of a stick slam against the glass during the morning skate, a clear sign of frustration on his part. It came during a botched power play drill and pretty much summed up where things are at these days.
Toews has just one assist in the past 17 games, but he has plenty of company in the drought department. Just look at the three other forwards with him on that second PP unit — Nino Niederrieter (no points in nine games), Vlad Namestnikov (1 assist in 21 games) and Gustav Nyquist (0 goals in 24 games).
Woof.
Winnipeg Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t made a roster move to help his struggling team. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is not exactly throwing Arniel a lifeline here, with nary a roster move to try and shake things up.
As I wrote in a column yesterday, I truly don’t understand it. It’s as if there’s more concern about hurting someone’s feelings (through what would be a well-deserved demotion) than winning hockey games.
Winnipeg’s ancient fourth line tonight is quite the damning indictment of last summer’s free agent signings. I have to think there’s three players on the Manitoba Moose right now that would bring a lot more to the table at this point, and at about half the cost.
Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel cancelled Thursday’s scheduled practice in Denver. (Gene J. Puskar / The Associated Press Files)
I found it curious that the Jets cancelled Thursday’s scheduled practice here in Denver, especially after such an abysmal effort in St. Louis and the fact the club has been openly talking about the lack of quality time to work on their game lately.
I asked Arniel about the move this morning, which he chalked up to getting into Denver in the wee hours of the morning, having to adjust to a time change and altitude and having to make the trek to the University of Denver to skate, since the game arena was being set-up for the Nuggets NBA game.
“We met, actually, at the hotel, had a half hour meeting with the guys, showed some video and went over some stuff,” Arniel explained. “That was more about coming into this building and being fresh.”
We’ll see tonight if that strategy pays off.
KEN SAYS: It’s hard to believe the Jets have already been shutout four times this season, but it’s a reminder of their reliance on the top line in far too many games.
The Jets have the talent to change that narrative, though it’s an area that requires further attention as they approach the holiday break.
There’s been plenty of chatter about the numbers put up by Kyle Connor (15 goals, 41 points) and Mark Scheifele (16 goals, 40 points) but it’s been a remarkably productive stretch for Gabe Vilardi, who has 10 goals and 16 points during his past 12 games.
After chipping in no goals and four assists through the first seven games of the campaign, Vilardi is now tied for the team lead in goals (16), third in points (30) and leads the team with six power-play markers.
After giving up a pair of power-play goals against the Boston Bruins last week, the Jets penalty kill has gone 11-for-12, the long goal allowed coming during a two-man disadvantage against the Capitals.
The Jets’ PK is now tied for 19th in efficiency and finding a way to push back toward — and potentially into — the Top 10 again is on the coaching staff’s wish list.
The Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon (right) and teammate Cale Makar. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press files)
The storylines in this one are plentiful, as the Norris front-runner Cale Makar (10 goals, 40 points) is going to battle with Jets blue-liner Josh Morrissey. Both D-men hail from Calgary and have a tremendous amount of respect for one another, but they also enjoy competing against each other.
Morrissey has carried a heavy load for the Jets this season, logging nearly 24-and-a-half minutes per game, and he’s tied with Jakob Chychrun for sixth in points among defencemen with 28.
Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon is off to an exceptional start, leading the Art Ross Trophy race for the top scorer in the NHL with 28 goals and 58 points in 33 games.
These are video-game numbers and he’s averaged nearly a point-per-game in his career against the Jets, recording 16 goals and 40 points in 43 regular season games. MacKinnon is the definition of a game breaker and his explosive speed is something the Jets will be on alert for.
FINAL MAILBAG CALL-OUT
We’re making a list and checking it twice as we get set for our final monthly Jets mailbag of 2025, which will go online this Sunday.
Got a question about the hockey club? Simply hit reply to this email and Mike and Ken will be sure to tackle it.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Barron-Lowry-Iafallo
- Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Pearson-Toews-Nyquist
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Fleury
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Miller, D Schenn, F Koepke
INJURED: None
COLORADO AVALANCHE
FORWARDS:
- Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas
- Landeskog-Nelson-Nichushkin
- Olofsson-Colton-Brindley
- Kelly-Drury-Kiviranta
DEFENCE:
- Toews-Makar
- Manson-Burns
- Girard-Malinski
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: C Bardakov, D Solovyov
INJURED: RW O’Connor (hip), D MacDonald (hip)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar and centre Brock Nelson on the Jets:
Bednar: “Every team is going to go through their little bumps in the road. Theirs came more than likely to some injuries they’ve had. Now they’re getting healthy and playing pretty well. We know they’re a dangerous team, they’re highly committed to the way that they play. It should be a good contest here tonight.”
Nelson: “They have Hellebuyck back, which is the backbone of their team and obviously gives them a chance to win every night. A lot of skill up front, obviously led by Scheifele and Connor. And some D that maybe are scoring a little bit higher than you’ve seen before. A pretty complete team. Probably a better team than what their record of late would show. We’ve got to be ready to go.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike is on scene in Denver and will have Jets vs. Avalanche game analysis from inside Ball Arena. Mike and Ken also have their latest edition of Dump & Chase, which includes chats with Nathan MacKinnon and Josh Morrissey about the upcoming Winter Olympics along with their picks for Team Canada.
You can find both pieces online tonight and in Saturday’s print edition
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