JN AirMail: Do Not Waffle On These Questions!

This week in the ol mail in segment we call “Air Mail” because we like to stick with an aviation theme, we get asked about Laine’s puck handling, Bryan Little’s letter and I give you some insight into how the Nation Network operates because I love you all and you need to know the brutal truth.

Remember if you want to have your most pressing Jets or hockey related questions answered by us, send them to us on Twitter and make sure you include the hashtag #JNAirMail so we don’t miss them! You can also mail us electronically if that is to your liking as well.

And away we go!

Art M: I’ve seen Little have an A on his jersey off and on for a few seasons now, and while I don’t see that he’s ever been officially named an alternate – Scheifele and Byfuglien were named alternates back in 2016 when Blake Wheeler was named captain – I think he has the letter whenever one of those three go down with injury. It’s also worth noting that having a letter on your jersey doesn’t indicate ‘talent level’ as much as it does what kind of leadership role you have within the dressing room or how you speak to officials on the ice.

Art M: I don’t know about his stick length, but I do think as young as he is he is still prone to panicking a bit with the puck when he’s being pressured which leads to the turnovers he can commit. I feel he’s gotten better this season with more experience and as Paul Maurice puts him into late game situations, he’ll get even better.

Cassie: I agree with Art, I think that a lot of this has to do with his age and experience. Puck handling will come with time and practice. He can only go up from this point.

Robert D: To me, it’s all about confidence. You can see it especially in the defensive zone. Experience and maturity will likely take care of that.

Tony: I am kind of confused by this question. Laine has great puck skills, but if he had better edge work I don’t think this would be seen as an issue. If your feet can’t keep up with your hands, defenders have a pretty easy time shutting you down.

Art M: Love waffles! I’m more of a french toast guy though if I have to have breakfast at all. I mostly enjoy a cup (or two) of French Vanilla coffee to start my morning.

Cassie: I love waffles but waffles don’t love me.

Robert D: Got a waffle maker for Christmas… Love them!

Tony: Waffles are most definitely ahead of pancakes and french toast.

Art M: Of course not, that’s a silly question. We of course are actual individual humans working on this blog.

But – and few people know this, FlamesNation is actually just a high tech computer simulation of what it would be like if actual people liked the Calgary Flames and cared enough to bother writing things about them. It’s not a perfect computer system which is why sometimes it glitches out and says things like “Mike Smith is a good goalie.”

And as we all know, OilersNation is just a product of Wanye Gretz’s multiple personality disorder that developed after Ryan Smyth was traded in 2007 and poor Wanye had a complete meltdown.

As far as I know, there is no such person who goes by “BaggedMilk” .. Honestly, do you think anyone in their right mind would name themselves after 80’s milk delivery technology AND volunteer to eating beets after every Oilers loss? Of course not. It’s just one of Wanye’s personalities doing a bit. He’s pretty good at them.

Anyway, this has been your peek into the machine that is Nation Network. I’ve probably already said too much though. Now to go figure out why there a black van parked outside my home…

Art M: We keep hearing a top six forward and maybe some help on left defense, right? I tend to think the Jets would really like to add a forward for sure, I’d be surprised if they go completely out of their way for a defenseman.

Cassie: I think they go after some members of the Moose to be quite honest. The asking price on a lot of the available players is too high when there is a pipeline sitting there. I don’t want to risk the playoff run for the Moose, but it’s also the best option.

Robert D: An obvious rental. A guy like Patrick Maroon would fit perfectly

Tony: A top 6 forward if the price is right. Someone like Mike Hoffman (if they want some term beyond the end of this season) or Rick Nash (if the Jets aren’t on his no trade list).

Art M: To be fair, those guys from Tennessee did play for the Cup last season, so they likely feel justified in talking about getting back there. As for the Jets, they haven’t won or earned anything yet, so it’s probably best to just stick to going game by game and dealing with the playoffs when they come.

Robert D: I’m with Art here. Jets haven’t done Anything yet this year, much less in the past 3 years. Barring injuries, Preds could’ve been hoisting a banner this year as opposed to the Penguins.

Tony: I wish the Jets were more bold. Everyone says to dress for the job you want right? So Jets should start talking about wanting the Stanley Cup.