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.
1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets had another tough week with losses in Colorado and Arizona but they did manage a huge win over the hated Vegas Golden Knights. The Jets still have a one-point lead on the Preds and still have two games in hand. Their record is still impressive at 37-21-4.
2. Moose: The Manitoba Moose had a rough week going 1-3 and have once again dropped to the bottom of the standings in the AHL’s Central Division. The Moose now have a record of 25-25-3-2 and a winning percentage of .500.
3. Jets: When Patrik Laine finally snapped his 15-game scoring drought, I’m not sure who had the bigger smile, Laine or me?
4. Jets: The Jets have acquired former Blackhawks 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft from the New York Rangers for their 2019 1st round pick and Brendan Lemieux. The Rangers will also get a 4th round pick if the Jets win the cup.
Loading ...
5. Jets: Lost in all the hype over Patrik Laine’s 15-game scoring slump was that Adam Lowry was mired in a 19-game scoring slump until he got off the schnide in Vegas Friday night.
6. NHL: I really enjoyed the Shane Doan retirement ceremony in Arizona on Sunday night. He carried the team on his shoulders on and off the ice for years and he finally got his chance to say good-bye after a less than amicable parting of the ways.
7. Jets: It’s nice to see Sami Niku getting playing time but I wish he had played a lot more. He looks really good with the puck but he is still very shaky defensively.
8. Jets: Right now local hockey fans are holding their breath waiting for the news on Josh Morrissey’s injury. I’m no doctor but it sure didn’t look very good.
9. Jets: I wonder why Paul Maurice resisted playing Patrik Laine on the #1 line for so long? You would think playing a slumping goal-scorer with the team’s two best playmakers would be a no-brainer.
10. Jets: Patrik Laine is learning what playing with the big boys is like. Laine’s motor is really going to need to get ramped up playing with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. It’s nice that he scored this past weekend but now we need some 5 on 5 scoring.
11. Jets: Laurent Brossoit has looked a little leaky to me lately. Should I be concerned?
12: WHT Podcast: Podcast 087 will be posted later tonight.
13: Jets: Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: Is Kevin Hayes strictly a rental player or is he a player you would consider resigning on July 1?
14: The Scotties: Congrats to Chelsea Carey on her huge comeback win in the Scotties final this weekend. Any day Rachel Homan loses is a good day in my books.
15: Jets: Brendan Lemieux played well enough to get himself noticed and ultimately included in the Kevin Hayes trade. Some fans are a little upset but I say better him than Jack Roslovic or Sami Niku and I’m not really a big Roslovic fan right now.
16: Random Thought: Why is there always butter flying through the air in lobster or seafood commercials? Are you a bunch of animals?
17: Jets: I think most Jets fans were hoping Chevy was looking at acquiring another defenceman before the deadline and now with the Morrissey injury I would say it is a MUST!
18: Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 27-17-2 … 2.98 GAA … .909 SV%
- Laurent Brossoit: 10-5-2 … 2.45 GAA … .929 SV%
19: Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum)
- PP: 4th at 25.30% up from 4th at 24.70% last week.
- PK: 2oth at 79.90% up from 21st at 79.20 last week.
20: Jets: The Winnipeg Jets sure are a different looking team when Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is in the lineup. Speed to burn and instant zone entries.
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.
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:
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, 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
