Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: May 6

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:  Apparently Paul Maurice has to unruffle some feathers in the Jets locker room.  Hmmm, do tell.

2.  NHL:  The officiating is getting worse as every game goes by.  The NHL has backed themselves into a point of no return right now.  They’ve set the bar really low and that’s what the teams are now used to. 

3.  Jets:  I think Jets fans should get used to the fact that they will probably be losing players like Ben Chiarot and/or Brandon Tanev.  Their solid play last season has more than likely priced themselves out of the Jets price range.  The cardinal sin in a salary cap world is overpaying the foot soldiers.      

4.  Jets:  I think it is a foregone conclusion in most Winnipeg Jets fans minds that IF/WHEN Jacob Trouba gets traded it will be to Detroit.  Not so fast.  I would be looking at Florida, Carolina, and even Philadelphia.  For that matter, I would put his name out to every NHL GM and see what kind of offers roll in.  

5.  Jets:  My biggest fear this off-season is that Chevy overpays Kyle Connor, resigns Ben Chiarot, Tyler Myers, and Brandon Tavev at market value. 

6.  Jets:  I guess when you haven’t met expectations and it has been perceived you have under-achieved everybody is fair game in the blame-game.  Nobody on the Jets roster, coaching staff, or management has been immune so far and I find it fascinating how far some fans can go off the deep end.             

7.  Raptors:  Fred VanVleet has been a very solid, serviceable piece for the Toronto Raptors but since his return from injury he has been terrible and in the playoffs, his play has been borderline embarrassing, almost to the point I wonder if Jeremy Lin is a better option right now.  I can’t actually believe I just said that but sometimes the truth hurts. 

8.  Jays:  Why would you even consider trading away a 26-year-old Aaron Sanchez?  If this team hits their window in 2-3 years what is wrong with a 29-year-old ace?

9.  Jets:  I grew up in an era of very fast, skilled hockey teams going back to the WHA days so I appreciate speed and skill but I also like a little sandpaper in a player’s game so I wish the term “GRIT” wasn’t used in such a negative context.  It is just another attribute in a player’s toolbox.     

10.  Jets:  Kevin Cheveldayoff is held in very high esteem by the Jets fanbase but I’m not so sure the undying love is totally justified.  Don’t get me wrong, Chevy and his scouting staff have done a pretty decent job of restocking the shelves and the Jets are nicely set up for a promising future BUT this team is already in salary cap hell and they have accomplished diddly-squat.  Chevy has a lot of birdies on his scorecard BUT he also has a lot of bogies to offset them.  He certainly has his work cut out for him this off-season and to be honest I’m not sure he can fix this roster without taking a couple of steps backward.  My Kool-Aid is still in the fridge.   

11.  NHL:  Brad Marchand is still a dick.

12:  Blue Jays:  Toronto has an overabundance of quality middle infielders and diddly-squat in the outfield with the exception of Randal Grichuk and NO I didn’t forget about Teoscar Hernandez.  It seems fairly simple to me Ross Atkins.  Pick up the phone and make a baseball trade. 

13:  Raptors:  Kawhi Leonard has been an absolute beast this post-season and I’m not sure where this team would be without him.  I think he is actually better than advertised.     

14:  Valour FC: Apparently the debut of Valour FC this past weekend was a hit.  I don’t know what they need in attendance to be viable but I hope Winnipeggers and Manitobans get out and support this new team.  Winnipeg has a vibrant sports scene now that I wish we had when I was younger.      

15:  Jays:  The chosen one seems to be having a tough time getting the meat of the bat on the ball.  Vladdy Guerrero’s reputation has certainly preceded him because right now pitchers refuse to throw him a fastball.  Patience Jays fans, it will happen. 

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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Thanks, Mitch