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: I really didn’t do much pre-draft scouting this year so I have no strong feelings either way on the Winnipeg Jets draft picks this season. After doing a little research after the draft I think I’m pretty happy with their first pick, Ville Heinola.
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2. NHL: The USNDT had one terrific draft with EIGHT players going in the first round and every skater, except one being drafted. I started wondering to myself if Hockey Canada took it’s top 22 players and started them at the U16 level and kept them together and then played them in the USHL, how many first rounders that team would generate? The only problem would be trying to distinguish which players were legit prospects and which ones were the product of great linemates and playing on a strong team. We’ve seen this before with top lines where two became stars and the third was the benefactor and never lived up to expectations.
3. Blue Bombers: Why is there a bye-week in the second week of the season?
4. Jets: I remember thinking we were a lock in acquiring Mark Stone at the trade deadline. I’m still disappointed. I still think he was there for the taking.
5. NHL: The NHL has given the coaches a broader range in video review but they have also attached a 2-minute minor penalty to failed challenges.
6. Jets: I wonder if the Winnipeg Jets will ever have an impactful second-rounder in their lineup? So far the closest was Nik Petan and he wasn’t really impactful BUT one of my favourites. Oh well.
7. Blue Jays: It doesn’t matter what the standings are in the AL East, I love it any time the Jays take two out of three vs the Red Sox.
8. NHL: It sure didn’t take Vegas long to get into salary cap hell.
9. Question for Chevy: Did you try and get a conditional pick from the Rangers if they sign Jacob Trouba to a longterm contract.
10. Blue Jays: I don’t know if I can remember a short stint at AAA helping a player more than Lourdes Gurriel Jr. He came back from Buffalo a better hitter and a surprisingly good left fielder. Gurriel is batting well over .300 since his return and has 6 outfield assists in just 25 games.
11. Blue Jays: Who broke Aaron Sanchez?
12. Jets: I don’t know who coined it but “Finnipeg Jets” made me chuckle.
13. NHL: I have to admit I actually enjoyed the NHL Awards this year.
14. NHL: I must be getting old because cheezy jokes are making me laugh. Somebody asked if PK Subban likes his New Jersey? That is really bad.
15. Important Dates:
June 23: The NHL’s interview period for UFAs (unrestricted free agents) to speak to teams other than their own will open at noon ET. During this period, pending UFAs will be able to meet with prospective teams, but are not permitted to discuss contract details (although they do).
June 26: The RFA (restricted free agent) contact or interview period opens at noon ET. During this period, pending RFAs will be able to meet with prospective teams, but are not permitted to discuss contract details (although they do).
June 27: Winnipeg Blue Bombers home opener vs Edmonton.
July 1: NHL’s free agency opens at noon ET.
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Thanks, Mitch
