Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: Dec. 31

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.

Happy Near Year!

1.  Jets:  Winnipeg Jets fans are full of angst after the good guys dropped two home games after the Christmas Break AND only scoring one goal in each game.  The Jets record of  24-12-2 is still good enough for a four-point lead with a game in hand.  I think we’ll be alright. 

2.  Moose:  The Manitoba Moose only played one game last week and it was a nice 4-0 win over Colorado.  The boys are still in last place in the Central Division with a record of .433 (12-16-2-0).  The good news is the Moose have 2-4 games in hand on all of their division rivals.          

3.  Jets:  The Jets have three prospects playing in this year’s WJC in BC.  Keep your eye on David Gustafsson from Sweden  (2 assists), Santeri Virtanen from Finland (1 goal and 1 assist), and Dylan Samberg from the USA (1 assist).   

4.  BCS Playoff:  Did Notre Dame even show up for their semi-final game versus Clemson.  The Irish keep baiting me and I get reeled in every time.  WHEN WILL I LEARN?   

5.  Vikings:  Watching my Minnesota Vikings struggle at home to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and finishing the season at 8-7-1 made me realize a couple of things.

• I don’t think they beat a team with a winning record?
• Their defence is very overrated.
• Super Bowl contenders don’t lose a home to the Buffalo Bills 27-6.

6.  Jets:  It looks like the Jets are going to be without Dustin Byfuglien for a few weeks.  His ankle moved really weird when you watch the replay of the seemingly harmless play and it is probably one of those pesky high ankle sprains.  This injury should provide Joe Morrow and Sami Niku an opportunity to get into the lineup.  This team can handle an injury here and there BUT I think Big Buff is the worst player to lose longterm.     

7. Jets:  Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff:  Jan. 1 is here tomorrow and I was wondering if you will immediately open talks with Kurt Overhardt and get this Jacob Trouba contract settled one way or another?

8.  Vikings:  Remember Daniel Carlson, the placekicker that cost the Vikings a big win over the Packers in Green Bay and was sent packing the next day?  He ended up in Oakland and finished the season going 16 for 17 and in week 11 he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.  I think his replacement Dan Bailey only went 20-28.  Hmmmm?  

9.  NHL:  I had to do a double take when this came across the ticker on TSN a couple of days ago.  I actually rewound the video because I could NOT believe what I thought I just read.  Ready?

Canadiens F Philip Danault has been fined $5000 for tripping Panthers D Aaron Ekblad. 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I don’t even want to know what happened.  I’m erasing this from my memory.

10.  Jets:  I think it’s a little too early for Jets fans to be calling for more Laurent Brossoit.  Helle hasn’t been great since the Vegas series last year but he has shown signs of “Vezina Finalist” Helle as well.  I think he will be fine. 

11.  Jets:  With Big Buff out for a few weeks would you like to see Paul Maurice try some different defenceman pairings?  Trouba/Chiarot or Kulikov/Morrow or Josh/Myers or Niku/Trouba or Niku/Josh?  I don’t know about you but I would. 

12.  WHT Podcast:  Podcast 080 can be found here shortly >>> 

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.  

13.  Goaltending:

• Conner Hellebuyck:  16-11-1 … 2.88 GAA … .909 SV%             
• Laurent Brossoit:  8-1-1 … 2.11 GAA … .939 SV% 

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

• PP:  2nd at 28.60% slightly down from 28.70% last week.    
• PK:  10th at 82.10%  up from 11th at 81.50% last week.   

15:  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