San Jose Sharks Could Be Hurt By NHL’s New Reported Time Frame To Start Season

December 8, 2020 by

The Mercury News

The San Jose Sharks may not be getting much time as they would like for training camp — wherever that may be — to prepare for the start of the 2020-2021 NHL season. Multiple reports indicate the league and the NHL Players’ Association are now targeting a Jan. 13 start to what would be a 56-game regular season. That could be preceded by a 10-day training camp with no exhibition games, according to TSN, although discussions between the league and the union are ongoing. TSN’s report also indicated that the seven non-playoff teams that were not part of the NHL’s Return to Play plan this summer, including the Sharks, would only get a short head start to training camp. [Read more…]

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine Edition

October 19, 2020 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:  There has been an awful lot of conversation about Patrik Laine trade rumours and unfortunately that is probably going to dominate Winnipeg Jets news until he is actually traded or until he signs a long-term contract extension so these random thoughts will be no different. It looks like another two and a half months of speculation and angst in Winnipeg.

2. Jets:  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I believe the team that gets the best player in a trade always wins the trade and in this case, I have no doubt that Laine will be the best player in any deal he is in.    

3. Jets: In my opinion, there is no correlation between the Paul Stastny trade and the Winnipeg Jets trading or not trading Patrik Laine.  The Jets needed a second-line center no matter who is on the right-wing of the second line.  

4. Jets:  I previously mentioned that you probably won’t win a trade involving Laine BUT that doesn’t mean I don’t think you can improve your team.  The Jets could acquire a couple of pieces that improve the team on a short-term and maybe even one or both on a long-term basis, but you won’t be getting a potential generational talent in return. 

5. WJC:  Here is some good news for the holiday season.  The U20 WJC will be held in Edmonton in the “bubble” albeit with no fans so the Christmas tradition continues.

6. Jets:  A lot of the Paul Maurice haters are having a field day with the Patrik Laine rumours placing the blame directly on the coach.  To be honest I don’t have a lot of issues with Maurice’s handling of Laine but I do have an issue with his usage of Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers.  If there is one player that has a reason to bitch about his usage on the Winnipeg Jets it is Ehlers, not Patrik Laine, and sure as shit, not Jack Roslovic. 

7. Jets:  It was a quiet week in Jetsville as far as actual trades or UFA signings.  Jets fans still hoping for an impact UFA signing or trade.

8. NHL:  I posted this last week but I’m leaving it up because I think it is important and needs more discussion.

I’m not a fan of no-trade and no-movement clauses.  Players shouldn’t be able to have it all, big money and term and then piling on with no-movement clauses.  In my opinion, NTCs and NMCs actually create an unfair playing field within the NHL and it hampers the ability for GMs to make trades.  The NHL has enough imbalance with teams in certain states having no taxes and warmer climates.  This makes it tougher on a lot of markets and especially Canadian teams.  I would propose some sort of grandfathering out of NMC and NTCs.  It would be for the good of the game and level the playing field a little bit although I don’t see the NHLPA ever agreeing to that and unfortunately, I don’t see the owners picking that as a hill they want to die on during collective bargaining   If I were an owner in a Canadian market I would be pushing for it.  By the way, when was the last time a Canadian team was in the Stanley Cup Final?  Hmmm. 

9. Jets:  Looking back at the free-agent period as we stand today the Winnipeg Jets have improved their team basically because of the Dylan DeMelo signing and the Paul Stastny trade but the problem is a lot of teams in the Western Conference improved their teams more.  

10. NHL:  It looks like Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley may have inadvertently spilled the beans last week about there being a Canadian Division this coming season. 

When asked about trading defenceman Nate Schmidt to the Vancouver Canucks, a division rival, Foley explained why he wasn’t concerned.

They’re going to play in the Canadian Division this year.  I don’t think that border’s going to be open before January 1st.  I really don’t.  Cause Canada’s got spikes going on, they’re starting to lock down again.  Winnipeg’s locking down.  Quebec has got spikes going down.  I think they’re going to play in a Canadian division.  I don’t think they’re going to cross the border.”

I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago and it makes total sense because I didn’t think a bubble was feasible until playoff time.

11. Jets:  After a lot of Jack Roslovic trade banter it got quiet awfully fast after Nate Schmidt was traded to Vancouver.  Vancouver getting Schmidt for a third-round pick still irritates the hell out of me and you wonder why I rant about the NTCs.  (see #8)

12. Jets:  Although I do believe there have been talks about a Laine trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if every GM in the NHL has contacted Kevin Chelveldayoff multiple times over the past four years.  I still believe these rumours are agent-driven.  I would like to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth before I get bent out of shape.    

13. Jets:  Some of the Patrik Laine trade rumours that are out there are so laughable I wish these guys coming up with this stuff were in my hockey pools.   

14. Jets:  POLL QUESTION

 

Will Patrik Laine be traded?

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15. Jets:  For the record, I believe Patrik Laine should be on the Winnipeg Jets top line with Mark Scheifele and the other winger should be Nikolaj Ehlers.  Paul Maurice has let Scheif and Blake Wheeler have their way and play together and their preference is to have Kyle Connor as their left-winger.  This is a pure case of letting the inmates run the asylum.  Maurice has been and is criticized for this and it is a legitimate bone of contention with some fans but wouldn’t caving into Laine’s demands be the same thing. 

16. Jets:  I love Patrik Laine and I love it when he scores with that one-timer on the Jets PP but let’s not forget he is not a perfect player and he is still a work in process.  Laine made some good strides this past season and he will only get better and maybe playing him on the second line wasn’t/isn’t the end of the world.  Mark Scheifele and Kyle Conner aren’t exactly defensive juggernauts and that is being extremely kind. 

17. Jets:  Even if Patrik Laine doesn’t his way and has to slum it with Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers for a year doesn’t he realize that Blake Wheeler won’t be the first-line right-winger forever, hell Mark Scheifele might not even be the first-line center in a couple of years.  Maybe Patrik should stake his claim on the right-wing with Cole Perfetti before Blake Wheeler does.  Of course, I jest but make no bones about it the Jets top line in three seasons will be Ehlers-Perfetti-Laine.  Book it.  

18. Jets:  I remember the days when coaches coached and players shut their mouths and played.  I realize it is a different world now and today’s players need to be coddled a little more but at some point, you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself if it is about you or the team?  If the answer isn’t the team it is time to pack your bags and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.   

19. Jets:  Even though I’ve said you can’t let the inmates run the asylum if it came down to choosing between Paul Maurice and Patrik Laine, I choose Laine.  I pay to watch Patrik Laine play, not to watch Paul Maurice coach.  You can’t lose a potential generational player for a middle-of-the-road coach and this thought goes completely against my grain.

20. Jets:  Patrik Laine will not be traded. Winnipeg is good.    

 

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:

[email protected]

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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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Winnipeg Jets Sign Nelson Nogier To A Two-year Contract

October 14, 2020 by

Jets ink Nelson Nogier to a two-year, two-way contract –

The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have agreed to terms with defenceman Nelson Nogier on a two-year, two-way contract with an average annual value in the NHL of $725,000.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured, Winnipeg Jets Tagged With: ,

Winnipeg Jets Week One Free Agency Recap

October 13, 2020 by

Grades and analysis from all the Jets moves since free agency opened

Trade:

To Winnipeg: C Paul Stastny, 1 year remaining at $6.5 million

To Vegas: D Carl Dahlström, 1 year remaining at $850k, conditional 2022 fourth-round pick [Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured, Roster, Winnipeg Jets Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 12

October 13, 2020 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 highlight for me last week was the Winnipeg Jets having Cole Perfetti fall into their lap at #10 in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.  Perfetti is the highly-skilled center the Jets have been seeking.  He fills a real organisational need and could be ready to play in a couple of seasons.  He could surprise and push for the 3C spot in camp, you never know.  I compare him to Mathew Barzal. 

2. NHL:  For the first time ever the NHL season kind of actually finished (Sept. 28) during hockey season.    

3. Jets: The next biggest news in Jetsland was Kevin Cheveldayoff acquiring Paul Stastny from the Vegas Golden Bettmans.  Stastny will help fill the void at the 2C spot now that it has been confirmed that Bryan Little won’t be playing.     

4. Jets:  I disagree with Jets fans that say the Winnipeg Jets helped Vegas out of their cap problem by taking Paul Stastny off their hands but I think Kevin Cheveldayoff took advantage of their cap problems.  In what world would you ever get Paul Stastny for Carl Dahlstrom (waiver wire pick-up) and a 4th round pick?  It was a wash at worst.

5. NHL:  At the start of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Tuesday night, Gary Bettman announced their goal was to try and start the 2020-21 season on Jan. 1.  I have no idea or even have a guess what the plan is but I don’t see a bubble being feasible.  

6. Jets:  Looking back at last week’s happenings the Dylan DeMelo contract extension got lost a little bit after the Jets announced the Paul Stastny trade.  DeMelo was a nice fit for the Jets right off the bat and he played very well with Josh Morrissey.  The only problem I see is that he is not a top pairing defenceman although he might be on this team and therein lays the problem.     

7. Jets:  Paul Stastny didn’t have to waive his no-trade clause this time when traded to the Winnipeg Jets.  The Jets were actually on his shortlist of teams he would go to.  That is a little refreshing. 

Embed from Getty Images

8. NHL:  I’m not a fan of no-trade and no-movement clauses.  Players shouldn’t be able to have it all, big money and term and then piling on with no-movement clauses.  In my opinion NTCs and NMCs actually create an unfair playing field within the NHL and it hampers the ability for GMs to make trades.  The NHL has enough imbalance with teams in certain states having no taxes and warmer climates.  This makes it tougher on a lot of markets and especially Canadian teams.  I would propose some sort of grandfathering out of NMC and NTCs.  It would be for the good of the game and level the playing field a little bit although I don’t see the NHLPA ever agreeing to that and unfortunately, I don’t see the owners picking that as a hill they want to die on during collective bargaining   If I were an owner in a Canadian market I would be pushing for it.  By the way, when was the last time a Canadian team was in the Stanley Cup Final?  Hmmm.  (see #7)

9. Jets:  There were lots of rumours over the weekend that the Jets were in on talks to acquire Nate Schmidt from Vegas and were involved in other talks to acquire a top-4 defenceman.  The good news is Patrik Laine or Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers names weren’t involved.  It looks like the Winnipeg Jets are dangling Jack Roslovic as their trade-bait and I’m okay with that as long as it is a good hockey trade.     

10. Jets:  Disclaimer alert:  This is coming from the ex-scout in me.  My annual rant to give the scouts a little love.

The Jets had a decent draft and mostly because of getting Cole Perfetti but GMs get too much credit for drafting good players.  The GM may stand at the podium and make the pick but the scouts do all the work.  The GM is responsible for the day-to-day roster and the scouts are responsible for the draft prospects although the GM does get the final say but remember the scouts do all the leg-work.  Now I feel better.  

11. NHL:  It was funny to hear an analytics guy like Kyle Dubas talk about being harder to play against, adding some grit, and adding character to the room.  I know you can’t paint all analytics guys with the same brush but some of them actually get snooty if you mention intangibles.  

12. Jets:  Based on their lack of an impact signing or trade to bolster their top-4 defencemen the Jets are telling me two things –  they had no luck in trying to lure UFAs to Winnipeg or they’re not having any luck trading for one.  I can’t help but wonder if they are putting too much hope on Dylan Samberg and/or Ville Heinola filling the void this season.  The good news is Heinola is playing hockey in Finland.  The bad news is Samberg hasn’t played any meaningful hockey since March.  Now in saying this there is a lot of time between now and when the season starts so stay tuned. 

13. Jets:  Defenceman Derek Forbort was a decent signing as long as he is slotted in the right spot.  Forbort was Drew Doughty’s regular partner when he was playing for the LA Kings.  Forbort will add some much-needed size and experience to the Jets blueline but he is not the big fish Winnipeg Jets fans are looking for.  Sorry, Derek, there is no Doughty’s on this blueline.    

14. UFAs:  I was hoping players like Erik Haula as a 3rd line center or Nick Cousins as a 4th line center and players like defencemen TJ Brodie, MacKenzie Weegar, or Travis Hamonic were on Chevy’s radar as acquisitions via free agency or trade.  So far …. NO.   

15. NHL:  Important date:

Oct. 18 –  Sunday … RFA Qualifying offers expire.

16. Jets:  Headcount as of this weekend.  Lots of new toys but some are broken.

In:  Paul Stastny … Nate Thompson … Derek Forbort … Dominic Toninato   

Returning:  Dylan DeMelo … Nathan Beaulieu … Luca Sbisa … Laurent Brossoit

Out:  Carl Dahlstrom … Anthony Bitetto … Logan Shaw

The good:  Cole Perfetti, Paul Stastny, Derek Forbort. 

The bad:  Nate Thompson  

The ugly:  Luca Sbisa

The meh:  Nathan Beaulieu, Dominic Toninato  

17. Jets:  Maybe it’s time for Chevy to contact his old team and see if he can bring home a disgruntled Jonathon Toews.  That $10, 500,000 for 3 more years would be a problem though.  What if the Hawks retained half?

18. RIP Eddie Van Halen … gone too soon.

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:

[email protected]

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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