Toews would return to the NHL after two seasons. The Jets would score the second-line centre they have coveted for years. It was to be a storybook finish to a great player’s career.

Following the 4-3 home ice setback, Winnipeg has now won just two of its last 10 games and fell to NHL .500 for the first time since the beginning of the season.

History suggests about 75 per cent of teams in playoff spots today will make the post-season in April. With that in mind, and the Jets on the outside looking in, I think this is the one year when those statistics just might not be accurate. 

For years, it has generally been felt by many that this final week of November is the measuring stick for NHL teams that will make the sweet 16 for the Stanley Cup playoffs -- and those who won't.

But judging by the parity in the National Hockey League this season, that ideology might not hold water. And for Winnipeg Jets fans, that would be just fine.

He becomes another triumphant signing by Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets, of the veteran home-grown players who have endorsed playing and re-signing with this team. Lowry has been rewarded for his leadership, loyalty and hard work.

No, the Jets certainly did not prosper on their six-game swing through the Pacific Division.

Coming home with just two wins, they didn't match what would have been their minimal expectation when the trip opened back on Nov. 4 in LA.

Needless to say, both groups have to cut down the more than 40 names closer to the 25 that will play at the Olympic Winter Games.

Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor, and Mark Scheifele are sure to part of the conversations for their countries, with Scheifele probably generating more conversation than the other three, considering that trio all made February’s Four Nations rosters.

But there was a time – at least for two years not that long ago when the L.A. Kings were winning Cups -- and were at the pinnacle of competition across the National Hockey League.

Of course, it didn’t come without its challenges – or at times, its blemishes. But a win is a win in the National Hockey League, especially in overtime.

The general manager and head coach, respectively, of Canada’s entry into the 2026 Winter Olympics in February are no doubt paying close attention to Scheifele’s start to the new NHL season.

Now, to be honest, it was hardly a masterpiece. But at the same time, you saw elements from the Jets that showed why they were the best regular season team in the NHL last year.

With a perpetual focus on defending first, head coach Scott Arniel also wanted more offence from that trio this season and the organization did their part in facilitating that desire by signing veterans Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson to play alongside Morgan Barron.

Between now and April 16, more than 1,300 games will fill the schedule for the 32 teams, and the Stanley Cup will be given out on or before June 21 of next year.

There will be just a handful of days that don’t have at least one NHL game, and that doesn’t include those games that we will watch from Italy at the Olympic Winter Games. Fresh from the 4 Nations Face-off, Canada should be considered the favourite in that tournament.

For fans of the team, it’s been a quick ride to say the least, but a memorable journey with, undoubtedly, so much more to come.

Along the way, there have been great plays, great players, playoff highs, playoff lows, empty buildings and consecutive sellouts. For many of us, winter in Winnipeg has been so much more enjoyable with them than it was without.

Also as expected, Perfetti will not be in the lineup when the Jets open the regular season Thursday night at home to the Dallas Stars.

In the equivalent of what could be a hockey tsunami, the deal Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild struck – the richest contract in league history to date, by the way – will certainly send a financial tidal wave across the league. In particular, right here in Winnipeg with Connor, the team’s best winger and a free agent at the end of the season.

But what it really was, was a starting point for Toews to resume his career, while at the same time doing so with his hometown team in what is both a dream come true for him, and a long-held fantasy played out now as reality for hockey fans in this community.

There is reason to believe the team will have extensions in place by then with Kyle Connor and captain Adam Lowry.  

In Edmonton, there is handwringing over Connor McDavid's "indifferent" responses to re-upping long-term with the Oilers.

The concern is real in Minnesota, if the reports are true Kirill Kaprizov and his agent rejected an eight-year deal for $16 million per.

But you don't get that same sense here in Winnipeg about how things will eventually play out between Kyle Connor and the Jets.

The Presidents' Trophy winners with 116 points. Central Division champions. The NHL’s lowest goals against. The league’s best power play. Career years for Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi.

It was as close to a perfect season as one could want… minus the second-round departure, of course.

Sure, 2011 was monumental for the team’s return to the city and 2018 holds a lot of value for the deep run the Jets made the previous spring, but this year is different in the tangible fervor leading up to the puck dropping in October.

Over the next seven-plus days in the NHL there’s going to be a lot going on. It starts Friday with the annual draft, a two-day selection process that enrolls highly talented young amateur players into the professional system.

From there, the league’s 32 teams move into the July 1 free agency period – a stimulating time for all, whereby teams acquire the services of players in what can only be described as a sailor’s shore-leave, wild day of spending under the expectation of improvement.

Under normal circumstances, Cheveldayoff would be enroute to the host city of the NHL entry draft to huddle up with his management inner circle and the organization's pro and amateur scouting staffs.

What was amazing to watch and listen after the game, was every single member of the Panthers finding six different ways to say the same thing. The commitment to win. The commitment to each other. It was as much about the emotional, as it was about strategy.

In play, we're told, for the 37-year-old’s services are the Colorado Avalanche and his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Of course, there could be a dark horse – there always is – but the prominent scuttlebutt on the NHL rumour circuit has the two Central Division rivals as front-runners.

But getting Morgan Barron's name on the dotted line will also rank high on Cheveldayoff's priority list.

During his season-ending availability a week ago today, the Jets’ GM said the team would put their best foot forward with Ehlers to try to make a case for him to be a unique Jet for life.

The messages delivered could have been given in unison. "The foundation is strong," "learning how to win", "belief in the group".  They were delivered with sincerity, passion and professionalism.  It will take time to fully reflect on a great regular season, and a playoff that fell well short of expectation.

Of course, the rawness of Saturday’s playoff exit in Dallas, for many reasons, needs to heal over somewhat, but in the coming weeks and months this season’s performance will be assessed and next year’s expectations laid out.

And that means there is still much work to be done to take those very difficult next steps.

But complaining about what resulted has to be put in the past. Because there are far more important things for the Jets to concern themselves with, going into Game Four tomorrow night.

Sunday night’s heroics do not need any type of hyperbole. And quite frankly, nothing the Jets do from this point requires any level of exaggeration. It’s just that special. This year feels special. The Blues and Jets were great. The best? Not so sure… but they were great.

Of course, as we know the Jets staged a rally for the ages with that limited time on the clock to eventually win Game 7 and their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series in double overtime.

And there was not going to be an "in between" when remembering that historic happening in the years to come.  

It’s like the difference between a pig and a chicken, when you have ham and eggs for breakfast.  The chicken is involved.  The pig is committed. In terms of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The players are committed. The coach is involved.

Which brings us to an interesting starting point in the Jets possibly finding the win column again for the first time in three games, as this lunch bucket group of Jets does require more from everyone.

And St. Louis certainly has all the momentum going into Game Five on Wednesday Night at Canada Life Centre.

It's a movie Jets fans are all too familiar with. Try as they might, Winnipeg just can't find a way to win following a playoff loss.

Yesterday followed that script for the Jets, for the 11th straight time dating back to 2020 versus Calgary in the bubble in Edmonton.

The sting of Game 3 in St Louis still lingers. At least, a bit. But we should be surprised? 

The two games in Winnipeg were close. Really close. Effectively, the games at Canada Life Centre were both one-goal games, with third period game-winning goals. 

The Blues faulted at both ends of the ice in the third periods of both Games 1 and 2. And the Jets capitalized. St Louis was determined not to do the same in Game 3.

From the Blues’ perspective, last night’s game was the most important of the season.  They had no choice but to be totally committed. From the Jets’ perspective, they have no choice but to learn from it. From the first minute of play, to the inconclusive video review, to a cringeworthy third period, the Jets just were never involved.

And as we enter the Stanley Cup playoffs on Saturday, all that means is…  absolutely nothing.  You heard it: absolutely nothing.

Typically, it’s a celebration for the fans; a moment to acknowledge their patronage and support through a long, cold prairie winter. But for different reasons most of the gratitude this time might operate in reverse.

After posting a franchise record in wins, capturing the Central Division, Western Conference and Presidents' Trophy titles, the appreciation for watching not just great but excellent hockey for the last seven months might extend more down from the seats tonight than it does up from the ice.

Mikko Rantanen, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and Ryan Lindgren were going to make their respective teams so much better, and both teams became prohibitive favourites for the Stanley Cup. Jim Nill and Chris McFarland had the assets to improve their teams as they both started the stretch run in the Central Division.

Except someone forgot to tell the Winnipeg Jets.  The Jets, who made two depth trades that day, for Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, have owned the lead in the Central every day of 2025.

After 78 regular season games, it’s likely one 60-minute contest between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars could decide a divisional winner -- and with it the spoils that come along with the banner.

For the Jets, a win Thursday in Big D would provide an almost assured path to claiming their first-ever central title, as they would then only require one more victory, with the potential of that coming two nights later in Chicago to close the deal.

But as "Arnie's Army" continues their quest to be the best in the Central and the West, the Jets face an opponent tonight playing better than any other NHL team at this point of the season.

The power play, first almost all season, was sputtering. Connor Hellebuyck was looking a little closer to mortal, the injury bug was biting the team hard… and the Dallas Stars were on their heels. 

Yes indeed, all over the province, people started to doubt what this Jets team had done for 75 games.  It was hard not to worry.

Except, it appears, for one group there was no doubt. And it was the one group that mattered. After being completely frustrated by the Kings -- stymied, suffocated, shut down -- Scott Arniel and the rest of the Jets took their lumps and went back to work.

Games like Tuesday night for the Winnipeg Jets have been few and far between through 75 games, but when they have occurred, it sure shines a different light on the hockey club.

From here on out the Jets will be judged on how they play in physical, tight and low event hockey games, where battles won usually relate to what’s on the scoreboard, when goals get tougher to score, come with a cost and are ultimately at a premium.

It would be somewhat of a misrepresentation to say Winnipeg is currently clinging to top spot in the Central Division... but a six-point lead over Dallas could evaporate rather quickly this week, and then a narrative of fighting for their first-place lives would be accurate.

...because while the white hot Stars are playing Seattle, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and struggling Minnesota over the next seven nights, the Jets will be going into two of the most difficult buildings in the NHL to take on a pair of opponents they have yet to beat this season.

The 16-team Stanley Cup tournament begins on the third Saturday in April, but I would submit we are already in playoff mode. Teams fighting to get into the post-season, and teams fighting for seedings have made this month the best month of hockey on the calendar outside of the playoffs.   

Of course, the Canucks' 6-2 victory was crucially more important for Vancouver in their pursuit of a wild card spot in the Western Conference than the two points to the Jets at this point.

If you combine Friday's game at Canada Life Centre, with the rematch on April 10 between these two teams, you just might figure of who will win the Central Division.

And it’s hard to imagine that after more than 1,000 NHL regular season games, and 67 games for the Jets, that the season just might be distilled down to two games, but it’s a fact.

In order to get there, they’ll likely require an additional four or five victories over their remaining 16 games and probably at least double that amount if they want to retain top spot in the Central Division.

Since the NHL season began in October of last year, this team has been at or near the top of the NHL standings. Throughout the league, other teams have really noticed how complete the Jets really are.

The best line in the NHL. The best defensive line in the NHL. One the NHL’s deepest teams… and who can forget the league’s best goaltender? Those are the elements that have made the Jets so good.

As most of you know, it didn’t just happen. This has been years in the making, from the draft floor for many of the core of this club, and the astute trading of Kevin Chevaldayoff over the past few years. 

Leading up to Friday at 2 p.m., when the horse-trading ceases, the Winnipeg Jets are expected to be a suitor.

Or do we only acknowledge the records from the Jets' previous NHL era of 1979-1996, and then 2011 to date?

It’s certainly confusing and problematic when the two worlds collide – and lately that’s been often – as they did on Monday night when Mark Scheifele scored his 329th career goal.

And lucky enough to have a similar seat in 2010 in Vancouver for Crosby’s Golden Goal, against the USA. Memorable events, for sure. And for a generation of fans, many can recall where they were when Sid slid that puck past Ryan Miller. Just as my generation can recall where they were when Paul Henderson scored in game eight in Moscow in 1972. 

Iconic moments, not just in hockey, but in Canadian pop culture.

But the Jets still appear to be regarded as a "second tier choice" when the discussion turns to which teams are considered Stanley Cup contenders for 2025.  

First of all, remember what it is replacing. For the past 20 years, the NHL has tried to create some level of relevancy for the NHL All-Star Game. In my time at the NHL, we tried constantly to prod the players to be more invested in the game and the skills competition, to no avail.

Solid TV ratings and corporate sponsorship allowed the league justification for the event. But like most all-star events in any sport, it fell short. It is realistic to think that the 92 players involved in 4 Nations will bring a much higher level of competition to this tourney, with the hope it rivals the World Junior Hockey Championship.

With much anticipation leading up to the team’s return home before the 4 Nations break, and Scheifele on the cusp of delivering a franchise-record 329th goal, it seemed like the perfect spot for the stars to align and history to unfold.

But Laine wanted out, and for the Jets’ organization since, it’s been a trade that keeps on giving.

“Playing 60 minutes”, “playing with urgency”, “playing consistently” are the phrases we’ve heard from everyone. 

That's over three months away.

Now, we really can't look that far ahead, I mean, there are still 38 games and the Four Nations Faceoff between then and now -- right?

And in a 72-hour period, the Jets and their fans experienced just that… the best and worst of what the NHL offers.

But what the NHL document of record doesn’t reveal is the sheer dominance the line of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi played with in the Jets’ biggest offensive outburst since mid-October and their largest margin of victory of the season.

But for the Jets, it was far more than those storylines. In the simplest terms, the big boys came to play.

Their record, 18 -5, is still the best in the NHL, but there has to be a bit of concern that the team has come back to Earth. 

It will really be something if the team is able to even come close to matching what they have achieved, over these next 20 games, starting with a crucial divisional showdown Monday in St. Paul.

The Jets are 17-4. And that's after losing 3 of the previous 5 games.

Well, last night in a game the Jets undoubtedly needed their star players to stand out in, the 31-year-old Scheifele delivered a monumental performance – one that came at the expense of Maurice’s current team, the Florida Panthers, who just happen to be the defending Stanley Cup champions.

For the second time in three games against the Panthers, Scheifele recorded a hat trick with last night being the ninth of his career and a significant one in a bounce-back effort for the Jets that may well have local sculptors now planning casts and molds of his likeness.

To his father, he said: “Hey Dad, your name is going up with all your heroes…Beliveau, Richard, Howe, Lindsay…Maurice.”

And to the people of Winnipeg he added: “If I could have one thing more, it’s for the Winnipeg Jets to win the next Stanley Cup”

So now, five months later, Paul Maurice’s Panthers will face those Winnipeg Jets back-to-back… twice in four days.

And with all due respect to a singular all-star selection he received two seasons ago, will the rest of the league and those who cover it ultimately be obliged to acknowledge his elite presence in the game?

Specifically, we’re talking about being nominated for the Norris trophy – and possibly beyond that, winning it -- because at this point of the season, the 29-year-old is putting together another career year, especially as he’s set to play his 600th game this Saturday in Florida.

Through the first 13 games of the season, the 28-year-old Ehlers is off to a torrid start, and on pace for a career year in goals and points.

But now, on an expiring contract – one that would make him an unrestricted free agent on July 1 -- the question needs to be asked: is this Ehlers' final season in Winnipeg?

Entering the contest in Detroit, the Jets’ star left winger sits on 499 career points. A single point in the form of a goal or an assist this evening to begin this two-game road trip would make Connor the fastest in Jets history to reach 500 points since relocation.

If there is a hockey god, please don't let it end against tonight's opponent.

And while that's certainly impressive, the best start in 2.0 franchise history should not be totally unexpected.

Oh sure, that 6-0 beatdown of the Oilers in Edmonton to kick things off was beyond the category of a pleasant surprise... but a clean sweep of the just-completed four-game homestand?

I think most would agree, a defeat at the hands of any of the four opponents involved would have been classified as a significant disappointment -- opportunity lost.

In fact, the areas they wanted to improve on from last year - like the power play and penalty kill -- have gained traction early, and as a group they’ve been fast, physical and disciplined.

"Third line" indicates that there are two lines better on this club. And that just isn’t the case.

But as an old NHL coach once said, never confuse activity for achievement. Just because Winnipeg didn’t make a summer splash in tinkering with their team via trade or free agency this offseason as others in their division did -- like Nashville and Utah -- that doesn’t at all forecast a falling-off point for the Jets this year either.

Of course, the negative connotation of "walking it back" would apply to the still stinging five-game first round playoff exit last spring versus Colorado. And there is plenty of meat on that bone to chew on.

But there should also be a positive version of that thought process, which would speak to 52 wins, 110 points, a sparkling 20-5-1 divisional record, and the NHL's lowest goals-against total.

Hands up, Jets Nation, if before training camp began last Thursday, you could have held your own in a trivia contest on the pro careers of forward Mason Shaw and defenceman Haydn Fleury.

And after a pretty good NHL career as a player, the Jets’ new bench boss has had a chance to learn from some of the best. Without a doubt, Lindy Ruff, Alain Vigneault, Peter Laviollette and Bowness have left an imprint on how manage the modern-day player. 

And while the eleventh hour was nearing to get a deal done prior to his contract expiring on Canada Day, Tuesday’s announcement now allows the team to focus on other business – all of which comes with additional and approaching deadlines of its own.

If not tonight, then Monday in Sunrise, Gary Bettman will present the Stanley Cup to either Alexander Barkov or Connor McDavid. And because of this extended final, the other teams have been forced to do business as usual, in advance of next week’s draft and free agency in nine days. 

For every NHL team the annual selection process is the lifeblood of their organization, a mechanism that can certainly shape and mold a franchise for many years, good or bad.

Of course, It’s not an exact science, but there are no shortcuts to its execution, as it's both exciting and duly important.

The long marathon that is the NHL season ends no later than June 24. That’s the date for a potential Game 7 in Sunrise, Fla., between the Oilers and Panthers… if the final series goes that far.

But while there are two teams still standing, the other 30 teams are deep into the planning for next season already. June just might be the busiest month of the hockey season, with just a handful of games. 

I guess it is if you live in Edmonton, or are an Oilers fan. They are, after all the last man standing north of the 49th parallel. But in Winnipeg or Vancouver or Ottawa or Toronto, where the fans of those teams have been frustrated this season, should they now cheer for a team that for the most part they abhor? 

For Arniel, it’s a second opportunity in his nearly 25-year coaching career to be an NHL head coach, but a long 12 years between gigs – especially after his debut with Columbus in 2010 quickly went sideways after just a season-and-a-half.

Now, over a week later, the search for the team’s new head coach is ultimately in full swing, and the next step in the process – and it’s important to note, the next few weeks will be just that, a process – has now begun in ardent fashion.

We know for sure there will be a new head coach behind the bench, but that's where 100 per cent certainty ends, and the guessing game begins.

Quite a contrast really, with how the season ended for the Jets. And yes, I know Winnipeg lost in five games to Colorado. And yes, I know that the Jets are looking for a new coach as well. But the feeling in and around the two teams is vastly different. 

Both teams expected to go much further than the first round. But the similarities end there. As both teams lick their wounds, you get the feeling the Jets are on the right path of success in pursuit of the ultimate goal.  

But the combination of Rick Bowness’ retirement, and another quick exit from the playoffs leaves Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and his management team at an important crossroads this off season.

But Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and his management team are at an important crossroads this off season, following yet another quick exit from the playoffs.  

That’s what happens you win 52 games and have 110 points. When the 82-game season produces the Jennings Trophy-winning team… and certain to be the Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender.

It can also be heartbreaking. These last few days, I’m sure, have been sad for Jets fans. It wasn’t supposed to end like this, so abruptly. It wasn’t supposed to be this lopsided -- five games.

He said, "you get in the playoffs and you have no choice but to elevate your game" -- and from Game 2 until the conclusion of the five-game series with the Jets last night, that's precisely what the Avalanche did.

But regardless of which side you stand on, time will certainly tell us what is more likely as this first-round playoff series between Winnipeg and Colorado progresses into the weekend ...and now into next week ,with at least five games to decide it a certainty.

In the most utopian of scenarios, Winnipeg was presumed to take the ice, win a game, and secure second place in the Central Division.

And the Jets certainly earned the right to be in that position based on what they accomplished last week on the road.

The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. And for a game this late in the season, between two teams already bound for the post-season, it proved to mean so much.

In starting his 58th game of the season, Hellebuyck backstopped the Jets to their fourth straight win, a franchise-record 23rd road victory and the team’s 48th overall of the season.

And yours truly is prepared to make the case for that to happen.

Now. the odds are still very much stacked in favour of a 1-2 finish by Dallas and Colorado in the Central.

For Winnipeg to change that narrative, it would require sweeping the Predators, Stars and Avalanche -- right in their own buildings.

It would signify that Stanley Cup Playoff participation was guaranteed for the hockey team. A victory against the Flames would give them two more points, and that “X” beside their name in the Central Division standings.

When the puck dropped last night, the Jets were 23 points ahead of Calgary in the standings, so victory was a cinch. Right? Not so fast.

With seven games remaining on the regular season schedule, and positioning within the Central Division still slightly clouded -- at least for a few more games -- what the Jets do to follow up their first win in seven drips with intrigue as their week progresses. 

Just two weeks ago, the Jets were sitting atop the NHL Central - engaged in a terrific three way battle for division supremacy with Dallas and Colorado.

In what would be considered an epic performance on Broadway, the Jets scripted a near-perfect outing in beating the New York Rangers 4-2 for their third-straight win overall and second in a row in Manhattan. 

Now it's up to the players to do their part.  

Entering Tuesday night’s 60th game of the season, Scheifele found himself second overall on three distinct lists in the team’s annals, sitting within striking distance of a pair of those records, including most points.

You couldn’t help but think, it was almost like an endorsement by players in green in support of their GM, Jim Nill, who 24 hours earlier traded for defenceman Chris Tanev. Not that Tanev played, but you could feel from the outset, an inner confidence in the Stars, who know that management believes in the team from Big D.

The talk was locally driven, of course, but the sentiment was frankly well deserved and didn’t escape national reach. but in the end the honour went to San Jose’s – now Pittsburgh’s - Erik Karlsson, who produced the league’s first 100-point season by a d-man in 31 years.

And while there has been no hint or suggestion of Gary Bettman's least-favourite 10 letter word, reloation, I couldn't help but connect the irony of all of this to the visiting team at Canada Life Centre last night.

But as someone who has been around the game for all too long, I find so much of any discussion today to be negative. And I wonder why that is? This is a game that appears to eat its own.

Now is when we find out if this team can get back on track and challenge Dallas and Colorado the rest of the way for bragging rights in the Central.

This span of games is completely out of character for a club that was the talk of the whole NHL for three months. This was the best team in the NHL, five-on-five, for most of the season before the all-star break.

In fact, a full immersion into his new team’s style of play and his ability to find his game with Winnipeg will take some time. But as each shift passes and the 29-year-old gets more acclimated to his Manitoba surroundings, rest assured it will be confirmed the Jets have acquired a solid player and likely the right guy.

So the stage is now set for some interesting debates on which team made the "better" choice.

They were, by far, the best teams in the whole NHL. It was an amazing story for seven or eight years. The Oilers went to the Stanley Cup Final six times, the Flames twice… and unfortunately, the Jets could never get out of their own division, because of those two teams. 

To a man, both the Flames and Oilers players talked of how good those Jets teams were. They were just a victim of geography.

As a team, they looked deep, complete and battle ready to take on anyone atop of the league’s standings. But right around the midway point of the season, the Jets suffered a key injury to their number one centre, Mark Scheifele.

The banged-up Winnipeg Jets are getting this break at just the right time.

Six weeks without Gabe Vilardi. Five weeks without Kyle Connor. Now? Ten days and counting without Mark Scheifele.

When we started that project, there was a real belief that it would turn into something special, an unofficial national holiday to reflect the passion and pride we take in hockey.

It wasn’t to be about the NHL, but rather about the place the game has in small towns, big cities, and among English, French, Inuit, and First Nations.

However, it was interesting to note that through his nearly 800 games as an NHL head coach, countless more as an assistant or associate and with over 40 years of top-level experience in the game, that next month’s appearance at the league’s annual all-star game will be his first.

But what the Toronto Maple Leafs entered into on Monday was honestly myopic, somewhat irresponsible and certainly impulsive. Nothing personal to Nylander, but an eight-year, $92-million contract for another offensive player devoid of grit and -- at best – decent defensively is a gamble.

A team from Winnipeg, the Jets, can't be in first place in the entire National Hockey League... can they?

Apparently, it's true -- and checking the standings about twenty times over the last 48 hours has confirmed that. Twenty straight times.

It's happened. They're there. Right at the top.

So, what does this mean?

Marc-Andre Fleury played his 1,000th NHL regular season game. He joins three other Quebec natives -- Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Patrick Roy -- as the only NHL goalies to reach that mark. And it got me reflecting on two levels.

After all, this is a team that appears destined for the playoffs and beyond -- a tight-knit group that might just be on the verge of something special this season, or at least trending in that direction. 

I would think after Thursday night’s game in Denver, Rick Bowness could channel his best George Peppard. This was a vital game for the Jets to perform in -- and perform they did.

And while the returns have mostly been in the black for a team that has gone 12-6-2, there are a few underperforming stocks and bonds that need to be addressed.

Nov. 28, Dec. 7, Dec. 16 -- not only are they the proverbial four-point games, in my mind, they will determine whether or not the Jets are in the top echelon of the NHL, or just in the “mushy middle”.