Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: Jan. 28

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.

UPDATE:

It’s been rumoured for a couple of years that the WHL will be returning to Winnipeg and at a news conference on Tuesday morning, this will be confirmed.  The Kootenay Ice will be relocating to Winnipeg and will be ready for play in the 2019-20 season.

1.  Jets:  Winnipeg Jets have concluded their All-Star Break and are still in first place albeit tied with the Preds BUT the good-guys have FOUR games in hand.  The Jets have a chance to improve on their record of 31-15-2 with four games this week.   

2.  Moose:  The Manitoba Moose had a nice run but their nine-game points streak was stopped in Milwaukee just before the AHL All-Star break.  Making the playoffs will still be a tall order but they do have two to three games in hand on the teams they are chasing.  Their record at the All-Star break is now 19-19-3-2    

3.  PGA:  It’s only January and I’m already sick of the excessive tv coverage of Eldrick.  When Tiger is in contention this is to be expected BUT when he is TEN shots off the pace it is ridiculous and insulting to the rest of the field.  By the way, Justin Rose won but you would never know it. 

4.  Jets:  Mark  Scheifele looked like he was having way too much fun during the All-Star weekend.  He looked like a kid in a candy store.  

5.  NFL:  Watching the Pro-Bowl was painful but yet I popped over every commercial break while I was watching the curling.  Please, please. go away.

6.  Jets:  It looks like Buff and Ben Chiarot will be out for another couple of games so we get the chance to see Sami Niku get a little more playing time.  Niku is starting to look a little more comfortable every game.  I know a lot of Jets fans, myself included can hardly wait until he is Buff’s regular partner.   

7.  Jets:  The Jets are going to need all hands on deck in their push for the division title.  They play 34 games in 68 days down the stretch with 19 games on the road and only 15 at home.  The 19 road games really concern me because they don’t look “road tough” enough to me. 

8.  Raptors:  Kawhi Leonard is on the verge of breaking Vince Carter’s record of 23 straight games with 20 points plus.  I’m going to miss him next season.    

9.  NHL Trade Rumours:  Why would the Kings be shopping Jake Muzzin?  This is a player that represented Canada at the last World Cup of Hockey.  He only has a cap hit of $4,000,000 and still has another year on his current deal.  It makes no sense to me. 

UPDATE:  Jake Muzzin traded to Toronto  

The @MapleLeafs have acquired (D) Jake Muzzin from the @LAKings in return for (F) Carl Grundstrom, (D) Sean Durzi (rights) and a 2019 1st round pick…

Do you like the trade #MapleLeafs fans? ? or ?#HockeyTwitter #NHL #TimandSid pic.twitter.com/djDRO6L7uj

— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) January 29, 2019

10.  Jets:  I know Winnipeg Jets fans have high hopes for their team and rightfully so with players like Scheifele, Wheeler, Byfuglien, Trouba, Morrissey, Laine, Ehlers and Connor BUT this team only goes as far as Connor Hellebuyck takes them.  He took them to a conference final with “Vezina Trophy Finalist” goaltending last season but he isn’t at the level so far this season.  Let’s hope he has a monster finish to the season.  As they say … The buck stops at Helle. 

 

 

11.  Scotties:  Congrats to Tracy Fleury and her team on defeating Kerri Einarson in the finals of the Manitoba Scotties.  Einarson’s team isn’t dead yet though as they have a chance to win the wildcard game at the Scotties like they did last season.  This is one of the perks of having earned enough points from their tour events.  There is still a chance to have THREE Manitoba teams at the Scotties.   

12:   WHT Podcast:  Podcast 083 can be found here >>> 083

Next podcast will be this weekend.

13:  Jets:  Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff:  You were in Chicago when the Hawks drafted Kevin Hayes, so I’m guessing you know this player fairly well.  Is he someone on your radar come deadline time?  

14:  Goaltending:

• Conner Hellebuyck:  21-14-1 … 2.85 GAA … .910 SV%             
• Laurent Brossoit:  10-1-1 … 2.01 GAA … .943 SV% 

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

• PP:  4th at 26.00% down from 3rd at 28.10% last week.    
• PK:  11th at 81.20%  up from 12th at 80.30% last week.   

16:  NHL Trade Deadline:  Feb. 25 at 2 pm local time.  

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.  

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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