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 CANADA DAY!
1. Jets: Today is the day the NHL Free Agent period starts also known as the day when semi-rational men lose their minds and spend like drunken sailors. What are your expectations for Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets?
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UPDATE:
The Winnipeg Jets did manage to dip their toes into the “Free Agent” market today and have agreed to terms with defenceman Nathan Beaulieu (UFA) on a one-year contract with an average annual value of $1,000,000.
2. Jets: I’m getting a feeling from the Jets fanbase that there might be unrealistic expectations for Kristian Vesalainen.
3. Blue Bombers: Winnipeg 28 Edmonton 21 … The Blue Bombers improved their record to 2-0 in a very strange game at IG Field on Thursday night. They let Trevor Harris march his team up and down the field all night leading to SEVEN scores but only gave up 21 points. Richie Hall’s bend but don’t break defence was on full display again and it is very frustrating to watch BUT it worked on this night.
The Good:
- Lucky Whitehead … 7 catches for 155 yards and two TDs.
- Winning a football game where Andrew Harris wasn’t a factor.
The Bad:
- Andrew Harris’s TWO fumbles.
- Chandler Fenner and Brandon Alexander.
The Ugly:
- The flag happy officials and the Eskimos lack of discipline.
- The Blue Bomber secondary.
4. MLB: Would you have signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year contract? He wasn’t exactly coming off a big year last season. I’ve never bought into all the hype.
5. Blue Jays: I’m done with Teoscar Hernandez. He is a below average CF that can’t hit. I think it’s time for the Jays to move on from him.
6. Jets: Going into year nine of Jets 2.0 should Jets fans be concerned that our two best players are Thrashers? I can’t decide whether this is a good or bad thing?
7. Blue Jays: What a waste of a career year from Eric Sogard.
8. Blue Bombers: I don’t think Thursday night was a very good night for OC, Paul LaPolice.
9. Question for Chevy: Were the Jets ever in on the Colin Miller talks or was Vegas not going to trade him within the Western Conference?
10. Jets: All the reports from Jets development camp were that Jets 4th-rounder, Henri Nikkanen looked pretty good and the big left winger might have been a steal in the 4th round.
11. Jets: Before the Jets right-off Bryan Little as the 2C, I would like to see Paul Maurice stop being so stubborn and try Mark Scheifele with Nik Ehlers and Patrick Laine AND Bryan Little with Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler. Wheeler has latched onto Schief and won’t let go but it’s probably the right move to split them up. They will still be together on the PP.
12. Jets: I was never a Tyler Myers hater but there is NO WAY I would even consider the dollars and term that the Canucks are rumoured to be offering him.
13. Jets: Depending on what happens during free agency there will be a lot of opportunities this year for the young players on the Winnipeg Jets. The kids can’t complain about being roster blocked now, can they?
14. Jets: I have to admit I’m a little shocked by the attitude of a lot of Jets fans. As of right now, the Jets have lost ONE very good player in Jacob Trouba but the pessimism in Winnipeg is off the charts. The off-season is just starting. I think I will reserve judgment for a little bit.
15. Important Dates:
July 1: NHL’s free agency opens.
July 5: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Ottawa Redblacks.
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Thanks, Mitch
