WHT’s faves of the week-
These Tweets caught my eye. Some were funny and some were informative and some weren’t even about hockey. Please don’t be upset if I include the odd Tweet of my own. [Read more…]
Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Aug. 9
August 9, 2021 by
Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –
Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.
I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.
1. Jets: The arbitration hearing dates have been set for pending RFAs. Neal Pionk’s date set for Aug. 13 and Andrew Copp’s is set for Aug. 26.
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2. NHL: I’m always surprised how Kurt Overhardt gets hated on in Jets chatrooms and on social media. He is a player agent just doing his job. The key word is player, hockey fans need to realize that he works for his clients and not the teams or fans of those teams. If I were a player I’d love to have him as my agent.
3. Jets: Does anyody actually think that Eric Comrie will last the season as Connor Hellebuyck’s back-up in goal?
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4. Jets: I really hope that Kristian Vesalainen gets more opputunities in offensive situations this season. I would love to see him on the 2nd unit PP playing the right half wall teeing up his wicked one-timer. Ves has a very good shot and the Jets need to make use of it.
5. Jets: I’m so tired of some of our mainstream media in Winnipeg pumping Andrew Copp’s tires as being a top 6 forward. He is a very good third line winger that can kill penalties and in a pinch move up in the lineup. In a pinch and that is it. Andrew Copp is NOT a top 6 forward on a good NHL team and he will never be one on this Winnipeg Jets team. Average fans will tend to believe this narrative so PLEASE STOP. As for Andrew Copp himself, I like that he wants more responsibilty but if he wants to be paid and play as a top 6 forward he better ask for a trade to Arizona or Detroit.
6. Jets: RFA defenceman Logan Stanley has re-upped for two more years in Winnipeg for $900,000 per season. Stanley was last season’s biggest surprize and has become a fan favourite in his short time with the big club.
7. Jets: Speaking of the Jets powerplay I would like to see the following 10 players on our powerplay units.
1st unit:
Mark Scheifele … Paul Stastny … Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers … Neal Pionk
2nd unit:
Kyle Connor … Pierre-Luc Dubois … Kristian Vesalainen
Josh Morrissey … Nate Schmidt
Of course there are a couple guys the can flip-flop and a few different configurations in structuring both units but it is time that Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is on the #1 unit. Also, if Cole Perfetti makes the team he is a definate canditate for the 2nd unit.
8. Jets: I’m really looking forward to watching our improved defence corp this upcoming season but if Paul Maurice doesn’t change their defensive system it might not matter how much they have improved on paper. You can’t have players following/chasing their checks all over the defensive zone. Brenden Dillon can’t be tough in front of the Jets net if he is following his check to the blueline in Maurice’s ridiculous man on man hydrid system.
9. NHL: Who just gets a Vezina Trophy winner for nothing?
10. Jets: Just in case you forgot, we SWEPT the Oilers.
11. IIHF: Congrats to Manitoba’s contribition to Team Canada for the upcoming Women’s World Hockey Championship later this month in Calgary. Veteran Jocelyne Larocque (defence) from Ste. Anne will be joined by first-timers Ashton Bell (defence) from Deloraine and Kristen Campbell (goaltender) from Brandon on our women’s hockey team. Canada will be joined by nine other countries in this 10-team tournament. Good luck girls.
12. IIHF: The 2022 Winter Olympics are only 6 months away and there is still no agreement between the NHL and the IOC. As they say on Letterkenny, pitter-patter.
13. NHL: I’ve often wondered why more players don’t negotiate their own contracts? I can see new players coming into the league needing a good agent but veteran players like OV who just negotiated his own don’t need one.
14. Random: This is the week that I go through severe Olympic Games withdrawl. I love watching and pulling for our Canadian athletes. There is nothing better than watching our athletes achievements whether they win a medal or not.
15. CFL: On a non-hockey note it was unbelievable to see all the fans enjoying themselves at IG Field on Thursday night at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game. I wasn’t there but I was very happy for the fans that were.
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.
If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
winnipeghockeytalk@gmail.com
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.
If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks, Mitch
Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Aug. 2
August 2, 2021 by
Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –
Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.
I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.
1. Jets: I’ve been hearing about this mythical season called “The Summer of Chevy” for a few years now and I think it has finally arrived. Winnipeg Jets GM, Keven Cheveldayoff had a very productive few days last week.
- Monday: Paul Stastny has agreed to a one-year deal worth $3,750,000.
- Monday: The Winnipeg Jets trade a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft for defenceman Brenden Dillon from the Washington Capitals.
- Tuesday: Jets Acquire defenceman Nate Schmidt from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
- Saturday: Jets sign serviceable bottom-six C/RW Riley Nash to a 1-year, $750,000 deal.
Kevin Cheveldayoff really changed the look of the Jets blueline with the additions of Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt and the best thing is it didn’t cost him anything off the NHL roster and bringing back Paul Stastny on a one-year deal was a no-brainer.
After seeing what other GMs were paying for UFA defencemen Chevy definitely went in the right direction.
2. NHL: Enjoy that six year $5,500,000 per season Philip Danault contract LA Kings. Free Agent Frenzy, where NHL GMs lose touch with reality.
3. Jets: Does anyody actually think that Eric Comrie will last the season as Connor Hellebuyck’s back-up in goal?
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4. NHL: It is officially RFA offer sheet season. I won’t hold my breath because there are actually more Loch Ness Monster sightings than there are NHL offer sheets but if there is the compensation is listed below.
FYI – Offer Sheet (AAV) Compensation:
- $1,395,053 or below: None
- Over $1,395,053 to $2,113,716: 3rd round pick
- Over $2,113,716 to $4,227,437: 2nd round pick
- Over $4,227,437 to $6,341,152: 1st, 3rd round picks
- Over $6,341,152 to $8,454,871: 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
- Over $8,454,871 to $10,568,589: (2) 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
- Over $10,568,589: (4) 1st round picks
5. Jets: Based on Chevy’s signings last week I’m sure even PoMo can’t screw this up, so the microscope is definitely on Mr. Maurice. Paul, you are on the clock.
6. NHL: I have a feeling there may be hockey without fans again in some NHL cities. I don’t like what’s going on down south with covid 19 and also here in Canada (Alberta). I sure hope I’m wrong.
7. Jets: In my very humble opinion I believe in time David Gustafsson can match and exceed what Andrew Copp brings to the table for the Winnipeg Jets. He just needs a couple seasons under his belt. If Kurt Overhardt wants to be unreasonable and play hardball then trade Copp’s ass. If he is willing to do something in the range of Adam Lowry’s contract then welcome back. If not, take Copp’s money and invest it elsewhere.
8. Jets: So long and farewell to Mathieu Perreault. MP is heading to La belle province to play for the Habs. I would have liked him re-signing in Winnipeg but who can blame a French-Canadian kid for wanting to play in his home province. Good luck MP, you were a beauty.
9. NHL: Based on some of the trades made last week it is quite apparent that cap space is a bigger commodity than actual players right now.
Shayne Gostisbehere to Arizona for nothing.
Marc-Andre Fluery to Chicago for nothing.
Tyler Johnson to Chicago for nothing.
Nate Schmidt to Winnipeg for a 3rd rounder.
and on and on.
10. Jets: This 👇
Morrissey/Schmidt
Dillon/Pionk
Stanley/DeMelo
sure looks better than this 👇
Morrissey/DeMelo
Forbort/Pionk
Stanley/Poolman
11. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets have signed Riley Nash to a one-year deal and I beleive he should add a solid defensive presence to the Jets bottom six. His numbers were brutal in Columbus last season but then who’s weren’t. Nash is just 3 years removed from a 15 goal, 41 point season with Boston in 76 games. If Nash can replicate half of that he will be a huge upgrade over Trevor Lewis or Nate Thompson.
12. IIHF: I bet everybody probably forgot but the Women’s World Hockey Championships start in Calgary in 3 weeks. I’m totally down for some August hockey.
13. Jets: THE POLL RESULTS ARE IN
Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?
Yes … Paul Maurice should be let go. (49%, 159 Votes)
Yes … Paul Maurice and Kevin Cheveldayoff should be let go. (20%, 63Votes)
No … I’m happy with the team’s leadership and direction. (17%, 56 Votes)
No … Sweeping the Oilers bought everybody some time. (14%, 45 Votes)
14. NHL: Evander … what are you doing? Evander Kane was one of my favourite Winnipeg Jets, I loved everything about his game although his alledged off-ice antics were getting tiresome. Now he is being investigated for betting on NHL games and games he was playing in. Now, these are accusations from his soon-to-be ex-wife so take this with a grain of salt but with Evander it always seems where there’s smoke there’s fire. These are serious accusations and I sure hope they are false.
15. Jets: Before all of GM, Kevin Cheveldayoff’s trades and UFA signings this past week the Winnipeg Jets odds to win the Stanley Cup were +4000 according to https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/nhl/stanley-cup-odds/ but I wonder what they are now? Stay tuned.
16. NHL: Even with a flat cap it looks like the top players are still getting paid while the bottom of the roster players are forced to settle for the scraps if you can call $750,000 scraps.
17. Jets: My preference would be to use Mark Scheifele, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Paul Stastny, and Adam Lowry as our four centers and work from there. I’m sure Paul Maurice could move Stastny into the top six when he needs to shorten the bench.
18. NHL: I mentioned last week that I find outsiders that don’t watch your team on a nightly basis really overrate or underrate certain players. The lastest is Oliver-Ekman Larsson. Vancouver thinks they are getting OEL from 3-4 years ago but he hasn’t been right for quite some time and the Canucks moved out Nate Schmidt to make room for him. I’m glad they did because I’d rather have Schmidt.
19: Jets: Andrew Copp and Neal Pionk have both elected to file for salary arbitration but both players can continue to negotiate with the team until their arbitration date. The arbitration hearings will take place between August 11-26.
20: Jets: Kevin Cheveldayoffs fan approval rating has never been as high as it is right now. (see #1 and #13)
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.
If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
winnipeghockeytalk@gmail.com
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.
If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks, Mitch
Winnipeg Hockey Talk’s Favourite Tweets Of The Week #2
August 2, 2021 by
WHT’s faves of the week-
These Tweets caught my eye. Some were funny and some were informative and some weren’t even about hockey. Please don’t be upset if I include the odd Tweet of my own. [Read more…]
Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 26
July 26, 2021 by
Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –
Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.
I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.
UPDATE:
Jets have tendered qualifying offers to the following pending RFAs:
F – Andrew Copp
D – Johnathan Kovacevic
D – Neal Pionk
D – Logan Stanley
1. Jets: So the Seattle Kraken expansion draft has come and gone and after all the pissing and moaning we lost Mason Appleton just like everybody hoped and wanted AND Chevy didn’t have to waste any assets cutting a side deal.
POLL RESULTS:
Will Chevy or should Chevy cut a deal with Seattle GM Ron Francis so the Jets don’t lose a player in the expansion draft?
(53%, 117 Votes)
No. The Jets have plenty of depth and can afford to lose one player.
(24%, 53 Votes)
No. Use that asset in the off-season in a trade to upgrade the team.
(9%, 20 Votes)
Yes. Because the Jets are loyal to a fault.
(7%, 16 Votes)
No. The idea of an expansion draft is to stock the new team, not circumvent the process.
(6%, 14 Votes)
Yes. I don’t want to lose anyone of this team.
2. NHL: It looks like NHL GMs did actually learn from their Vegas expansion mistakes this time around. Vegas would have had a decent team but it was their “side deals” that really set them up for future success.
3. Jets: I wonder if Chevy will offer Andrew Copp to Seattle for Vince Dunn?
4. NHL: It’s that time of the year where you could possibly see an NHL team look at sending an offer sheet to a pending RFA. I won’t hold my breath because there are actually more Loch Ness Monster sightings than there are NHL offer sheets but if there is the compensation is listed below.
FYI – Offer Sheet (AAV) Compensation:
- $1,395,053 or below: None
- Over $1,395,053 to $2,113,716: 3rd round pick
- Over $2,113,716 to $4,227,437: 2nd round pick
- Over $4,227,437 to $6,341,152: 1st, 3rd round picks
- Over $6,341,152 to $8,454,871: 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
- Over $8,454,871 to $10,568,589: (2) 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
- Over $10,568,589: (4) 1st round picks
5. Jets: Did Kevin Cheveldayoff actually get lucky not losing Dylan DeMelo or did he know which way Ron Francis was leaning based on their conversations? Guess what, we’ll never know but it worked.
6. NHL: Huge news that affects Cole Perfetti and the Winnipeg Jets/Manitoba Moose.
CHL sources say final details are being worked out with the NHL that will allow junior eligible players who played 20 or more AHL games last season to return to the AHL next season, rather than back to their major junior club. Bit more complicated, but thats the gist of it.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 22, 2021
7. Jets: Would the Jets be smart to move on from Paul Stastny and gamble on Cole Perfetti in their top six?
My greatest fear:
Jets move on from Paul Stastny making room for Cole Perfetti in their top 6 but instead they overpay Andrew Copp and put him in there.
OH THE HORROR
— MoTown Curmudgeon (@WpgSportsTalk) July 22, 2021
8. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets most pressing off-season need is to ugrade their blueline and with the free agency silly season starting this Wednesday I always hold on to the hope that Chevy will make a bit of a splash and sign a couple signifigant UFAs and not the usual 4th line forwards and the less than bottom pairing defencemen. I’m not expecting a Dougie Hamilton but it would be nice to add someone like Nikita Zadorov (LD) who is an RFA that only made $3,200,000 last season. I wonder if he is on Chevy’s radar? Other UFAs that interest me are Brandon Montour (RD), David Savard (RD), Jake McCabe (LD), or even local boy Travis Hamonic (RD).
UPDATE:
The Winnipeg Jets have traded a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft for defenceman Brenden Dillon from the Washington Capitals.
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UPDATE:
Jets Acquire defenceman Nate Schmidt from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
9. NHL: The Montreal Canadiens were the toast of the town after a terrific playoff run and they pissed away all that good will in one fell swoop with their brain dead selection of Logan Mailloux on Friday night. What the hell was Marc Bergevin thinking?
10. Jets: 2021-22 Schedule
11. Jets: Ex-Jet Shane Doan had a proud moment on Saturday when his son Josh was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round, 37th overall. As a Yotes fan I really love this pick.
12. NHL: Key dates. Times a MB time.
- July 27: Qualifying offers due to restricted free agents.
- July 28: Free agency opens at 11 am.
13. Jets: Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?
After the first round sweep of Edmonton it looked like Pomo and Chevy were safe.
After being swept in the second by Montreal, Pomo and Chevy are back under the microscope.
Now Chevy and Pomo are both under scrutiny for the Seattle expansion protection list.
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14. NHL: Anti-vaxer injury report. UBI (upper body injury) Brain
15. Jets: I’m okay with Chevy bringing back Mathieu Perreault for another season but that is it and that includes Paul Stastny unless he takes a major pay cut. For what it’s worth there are rumours that Paul Stastny and the Winnipeg Jets are talking about a contract extension.
UPDATE:
The Winnipeg Jets and Paul Stastny have agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.750,000
I can’t say I hate this deal because I actually love it. Stastny adds a lot to this team on the ice and just as much off the ice. A very solid signing with perfect term.
16. NHL: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, the teams that play in states without state taxes have an unfair advantage over the other US based teams and all the Canadian based teams. With free agency opening on Wednesday myself and fans of other Canadian teams get frustrated by Canadian players not wanting to play in their home country. The NHL and the NHLPA need to come up with some sort of formula to level the playing field. While I’m at it lets do away with no movement clauses.
17. Jets: The Jets made some interesting selections from Russia and it is quite obvious they weren’t really comfortable drafting players that didn’t play last season, hence the three picks out of the Russian leagues.
18. NHL: I love Seattle fans already, in their first introduction to Gary “Count Chocula” Bettman they booed him like a seasoned fan base. Well done Kraken fans, well done.
19: Jets: Fingers crossed for tomorrow everyone. C’mon Chevy.
20: Jets: This is something that I never thought would come out of my mouth but going in Wednesday’s “Free Agent Frenzy” the “Summer of Chevy” is off to a pretty good start. (see #8 and #15)
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.
If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
winnipeghockeytalk@gmail.com
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.
If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks, Mitch
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