View From the Booth - December 9, 2022

After being a healthy scratch for three recent games, it looks like Jets' veteran forward Sam Gagner will play his 1,000th game at home against Vancouver, Dec. 29. The 33-year-old Gagner has been an important part of the Jets success this season displaying an ability to play up-and-down the lineup, on special teams and providing another experienced presence in the dressing room. He'll join teammate Blake Wheeler and former Jets' forward Paul Stastny as recent Winnipeg players to reach the 1,000-game plateau….

Speaking of unique NHL milestones, Phil Kessel's ironman streak is certainly one. At last check the Vegas Golden Knights forward has played over 1,000 consecutive games since starting the succession as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, 2009. Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler and Kessel are good friends, a relationship that started when they played together for one season at the University of Minnesota and was further fostered through several international events as members of Team USA. In addition to the consecutive game's record, Kessel has produced over 400 goals and is approaching 1,000 career points, numbers that will most certainly grant him entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame. When asked what stands out the most about Kessel's career, Wheeler didn't hesitate to glide past the offensive numbers and offer his own opinion? "Two Cups," he said frankly, as in the two Stanley Cups Kessel helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win in 2016 and 2017 as a key offensive contributor. Moreover, Wheeler's answer underscores how veteran players view winning and how championships trump any other individual accomplishment in the game….
Still with the Hall of Fame discussion. When Daniel Alfredsson and the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, and Roberto Luongo were recently inducted as part of the 2022 Class, the ceremony hit close to home for Jets' head coach Rick Bowness, who at one time or another coached all four players. And while Bowness acknowledges all were special players, he had this to say about Alfredsson: "He's one of the best guys I ever coached on an off the ice. He viewed the game in slow motion. He was a coach's delight. He did everything well and at low maintenance." That's pretty high praise from a guy that's interacted with a "few" elite players over his three-plus decades coaching in the NHL….
Has anyone noticed how short Axel Jonsson-Fjallby's hockey stick is? Apparently, he's used the same stick length since he was 17 years old growing up in Sweden. As you can imagine he's grown since then and at six-foot-two the current length looks like a longer version of a mini-stick in his hands. For reference, Jonsson-Fjallby's stick only comes up to the top of his chest, meaning the Jets' winger plays with a stick that is about three or four inches shorter than what would normally be the length for a player his size. The standard measurement for a player's stick length usually reaches their chin or slightly above while on skates. One member of the Jets mused that Jonsson-Fjallby's hair is longer than his stick.....
Early in the season defenceman Dylan DeMelo played in his 400th career game. It was a road contest against the Colorado Avalanche. At the end of the first period, he joined the radio broadcast for a live, walk-off interview to discuss the milestone. After the short conversation ended and he was congratulated, DeMelo concluded by saying, "I'm fooling somebody." It's that type of humour that is refreshing and appreciated in a business that - at times - needs more fun…..
At the 25-game mark of the season defenceman Josh Morrissey leads the team in points and is on pace for a second straight career-year in goals and points. For the record, a d-man has never won the Jets' scoring title and thus Morrissey is pioneering new ground and forcing his name into the early Norris Trophy conversation. At his current offensive clip, the 27-year-old would finish the year with around 20 goals and 90 points. Is that enough to be a Norris candidate? Time will tell, but many like his chances of being included in the discussion with the likes of Erik Karlsson, Cale Makar, Adam Fox et al…..
When Blake Wheeler became the franchise's all-time leader in games played (844), you could tell it was a bittersweet honour for the long-time Jets' forward. On one hand it was a proud moment for him, but also knowing that former teammate and friend Bryan Little, who held the record prior to Wheeler breaking it, would still be accumulating games-played were it not for a career-ending injury three-plus seasons ago sobered the distinction. "I take a lot of pride in it," said Wheeler. "But it's Bryan Little's record. He should still be out here."…..
Speaking of Little, one would guess that when his contract expires after the 2023-24 season (it's currently held by the Arizona Coyotes as part of LTIR cap relief), the former Jets' centre will be brought back to Winnipeg and recognized for his time and contributions to the team. If Little didn't get hurt, it's safe to assume he would have finished his current agreement as a member of the Jets…...
By the way, all Jets games are available on radio via 680 CJOB AM or Power 97 FM. The radio broadcasts are also streamed through the NHL App if you're traveling abroad or don't reside in the Winnipeg market.