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 Ice, 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 Jets and Neal Pionk avoided salary arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing to a two year contract worth $3,000,000 per season on Sunday. Other news coming out of TNSE last week was that they have renewed their ECHL affiliation with the Jacksonville Icemen. They also announced the hiring of Jeff Finley to replace Marcel Comeau as new Amateur Head Scout. We’re still waiting for the big news.
2. Jets: I rarely dwell on ex-Jets players and if I’m being completely honest it’s because once they’re gone I really don’t give a rat’s ass about them unless they’re on one of my fantasy teams … BUT there has been a lot of conversation recently about Jacob Trouba and his new contract (8 mil x 7 years) soooo here I go. I didn’t like how these negotiations went right from the get-go. It wasn’t Trouba’s fault. His intentions were pretty clear right from the start. I actually blame Chevy for letting it go as long as it did but I understand why the Jets didn’t move him sooner. Trouba and his agent (Kurt Overhardt) worked the system and Jake got paid. Good for him. In saying that, I’m not sure I would have loved his new contract on the Jets. I would rather spend that money on Josh Morrissey. Suddenly, Dustin Byfuglien’s 7.6 mil AAV doesn’t look so bad now, does it?
3. Blue Bombers: Winnipeg 31 vs Ottawa 1 … The Blue Bombers improved their record to 5-0 after completely dominating the Redblacks in every phase of the game.
The Good:
- Matt Nichols set a new club record with 19 straight pass completions and finished the game 25 for 29 for 295 yards and 2 TDs.
- Chandler Fenner with a solid effort.
The Bad:
- I really couldn’t find any bad in the Bombers game.
The Ugly:
- Watching John Crockett lose his lunch TWICE on the field.
4. PGA: I’m done with the long-handled putter. I think it’s time the PGA put those things to bed permanently.
5. Jets: Andrew Copp has seemingly been around forever and I’m still not really sure what he is or what he’s worth.
UPDATE:
Andrew Copp’s arbitration hearing was yesterday and the arbitrator must render his decision within 48 hours. Stay tuned.
6. The Open: Shane Lowry’s third round 63 at “The Open” was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve seen in recent memory. It’s amazing watching these guys play when they are completely zoned in.
7. The Open: I really wanted to enjoy the fourth round of “The Open” but it was so anticlimactic it was boring. Shane Lowry won going away.
8. NHL: Toronto MapleLeaf fans getting bent out of shape because William Nylander wants to change his number to Eric Lindros’s old #88 might be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of. The “Big E” played a whopping 33 games for the Leafs. C’mon man!
9. Question for Chevy: Are you having fun negotiating with Kurt Overhardt these days?
10. Blue Jays: I’m looking forward to seeing Bo Bichette up with the big club and I think it’s time for the Jays to make the call.
11. Yuck: Whether it’s Habs fans in Montreal or golf fans in Europe, I really, really, really, HATE …. OLAY, OLAY, OLAY OLAY, OLAY, OLAY.
12. Important Dates:
July 26: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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Thanks, Mitch
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