Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: Dec. 24

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –

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 Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Toronto Raptors, all curlers from Manitoba, and all Canadian athletes competing on the international stage.

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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets just finished a tough stretch of 9 games in 16 days with a 7-2 record and now have an impressive record of 24-10-2. That’s good enough for first in the Western Conference.

2. Moose: The Manitoba Moose lost a couple of games to Grand Rapids last week and are in the last place in the Central Division with a record of .444 (11-16-2-0). Call-ups to the Jets and injuries are killing this team right now.

3. Jets: Congrats to Mason Appleton on scoring his first NHL goal last week versus San Jose.

4. Jets: I thought Nic Petan looked pretty decent in the San Jose and Vancouver games. It will be interesting to see how PoMo handles the fourth liners when everybody is healthy.

5. Jets: This is one of my favourite times of the year with the WJHC and Spengler Cup going on. Lots of holiday hockey to enjoy. GO Canada GO!

Team Canada >>>> Spengler Cup Roster

Team Canada >>>> U-20 Roster

6. Jets: This has a nice look to t0 doesn’t it?

7. Jets: Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: I hear you’re kicking the tires on LA defenceman Jake Muzzin? I approve, now get it done before Vegas or Nashville beats you to the punch.

8. Vikings: The Vikes took care of business and beat Detroit on Sunday and can clinch the final wild-card spot with a win next weekend over Chicago or a Philly loss to Washington. Not what I was hoping for at the start of the season but I guess it’s better than missing the post-season.

9. WHT Podcast: Podcast 079 can be found here >>>> WHT Podcast 079

If you have any questions for Darryl or myself (Mitch) please give us a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

10. Goaltending:

Conner Hellebuyck: 16-9-1 … 2.90 GAA … .909 SV%
Laurent Brossoit: 8-1-1 … 2.11 GAA … .939 SV%

11. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum)

PP: 2nd at 28.70% down from 29.80% last week.
PK: 11th at 81.50% down from 9th at 82.30% last week.

12: Key dates:

Jan. 1 – Jets can start negotiations with RFA defenceman Jacob Trouba.

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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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