Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon.”
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, Manitoba Moose, 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 or is it the 8Ps? You’ve been warned.
Before I get started, I want to apologize to all my regular readers and my potential new visitors for the radio silence, but I was having health issues. My doctors seem to have my medications (heart meds) dialled in, and if I follow my new health regimen, I should have a few good years left in me. So if I’m going to have all this newfound free time on my hands, I might as well pass the time doing what I love doing and start writing and blabbing about hockey and the Winnipeg Jets, and back to my “Random Thoughts” and “Random Thoughts” podcast. I’ve had a YouTube channel for a while, but I never got it going. However, it’s something I’d like to get started, especially if I can find a good co-host. Whoever I find is going to have some huge shoes to fill. My last co-host, Darryl Manchelenko passed away with a heart attack playing rec hockey. I still think about Manny all the time and the great chemistry we had as podcast partners. I really miss him. Anyway, it’s time to get back at it.
1. Jets: The biggest news for me this off-season was the loss of Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers, and I can’t say I was surprised. I was hoping the chance for him to play alongside an icon like Jonathon Toews might intrigue Ehlers enough to stay, but years of lineup misuse were probably too much to overcome. I’m going to miss Nikolaj, but not as much as the Winnipeg Jets. More on this later.
2. Jets: The best news for me this off-season was Jonathon Toews signing with his hometown team for the upcoming season. People who know me understand how important this was for me. I’ve admired JT and his game since he was playing AAA Bantam and I was a scout for the Portland Winterhawks.
3. Jets: The third biggest news for me this off-season was that Gabriel Vilardi had inked a six-year deal with the Jets, with an average annual value in the NHL of $7,500,000. I believe this contract is fair value for the team and the player. Gabe has quickly become one of my favourite Jets players. I just wish he could stay healthy.
4. Jets: RFA Dylan Samberg avoided the Wednesday arbitration hearing and put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $17.25 million. I’m not a big fan of this contract, as I think Samberg bolts in 3 years like Trouba, Copp, and Roslovic before him.
5. Jets: I hate the term “self rental”; it’s just a lame excuse GMs use to cover up a major blemish on their resumes. Nikolaj Ehlers is the biggest zit on Keven Cheveldayoff’s resume to date as far as I’m concerned. Not trading Ehlers at the trade deadline when there was probably a better than 50/50 chance he was going to test free agency is managerial malpractice in a market like Winnipeg. Small market teams can’t let prime assets walk for nothing under any circumstance, its too hard to get top free agents to sign here. The Jets could have probably gotten a 1st round pick and a prospect or serviceable roster player for Ehlers at the deadline but received NOTHING. We have the same situation this year with Kyle Connor. Are we letting him walk for nothing?
6. Jets: Two years ago, I wrote this, and I believe it was things like this that drove Nikolaj Ehlers into the waiting arms of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mason Appleton is where scoring goes to die … playing him on the top line is coaching malpractice
— Westdale Curmudgeon (@WpgSportsTalk) October 20, 2023
Ehlers said it was time for a change of scenery, no shit. I believe Ehlers’ usage or misuse started under Paul Maurice, continued under Rick Bowness and improved a bit under Scott Arneil, but the damage had been done, and this all happened under the watchful eyes of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. Chevy let three coaching staffs alienate one of the team’s top players. When Mason Appleton was getting more icetime regularly than Nik Ehlers, that is a problem. More on this during the podcast.
Jets: Poll question: It is human nature to play the “blame game”; we all do it, but is it fair?
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7. Jets: Congrats to Blake Wheeler on his retirement. The former captain hangs up his skates as the Jets’ all-time leader in assists and points.
Just wanted to say nice to see you back, I miss Darryl(and Scott), too. Take care of yourself, friend.
Thanks Carol … I’ll keep gtinding away.
Hey Mitchie, great to see you back buddy. I missed your insightful commentary and behind the scenes info that the mainstream media rarely covers. Look where I’m pointing,☝️ up at the rafters for our first NHL banner.
Hellebucker did a Vesna job throughout the regular season but frankly, I think he was trying too hard and was too tight during the playoffs and was average at best. I recall seeing that players quickly figured out his weakness at the time. Players kept shooting top right on his glove side and there were so many times he would just wave at it as it flew over his catcher. And for some reason, Arniel refused to let Comrie play a few games when Helle was struggling. I think Comrie’s stats are as good as Helle.
And the most memorable play of the season goes to (never smiles) Cole Perfetti who scored a miracle goal with 1.6 seconds left in game 7 that took the game to overtime. He became a much stronger and better player last season.
Thanks for stopping by Hart … I agree about Perf, I think this year he becomes a legitimate difference maker.