Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –
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, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.
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: To nobody’s surprise the Winnipeg Jets quietly bowed out of qualification round in four games to the Flames this past week. Their fate was sealed early in the first period when they lost Mark Scheifele for the series and then, later on, they lost Patrik Laine. Game, set, and match. The Jets did manage to gut out a win in game two but not many teams can survive losing two of their top players.
2. Jets: The loss of Mark Scheifele really affected the play of Blake Wheeler and especially Kyle Connor. Connor was invisible the whole series.
3. Jets: Funny how the Jets Stanley Cup window has shrunk. They went from contenders to pretenders in 2 years. I know a lot of things happened this off-season but the drop-off has been scary. The Jets went from a big, fast, skilled team to a soft, skilled team with a small, physically overmatched defence corp. With Heinola probably a lock next season this blueline gets even smaller. Hopefully, Dylan Samberg and his size can play in the top four. Time to hit the UFA market Chevy. Can you say, Alex Pietrangelo?
Morrissey Pietrangelo
Samberg DeMelo
Heinola Pionk
Niku Poolman
4. Jets: Connor Hellebuyck is a very good goaltender and he should probably win the Vezina Trophy BUT I think his terrible puck-handling and play outside the crease will keep him from being perceived as an elite goaltender. His puck-handling hasn’t improved in all his time as a Jets goalie. Maybe next season Mikhail Berdin will be his backup and he can teach Helle how to handle and play the puck.
5. NHL: If there are no fans in the stands for next season and I think that is more than likely, how can the NHL survive with no fans in the stands? I can’t believe the other “hockey-related revenue” will be enough.
6. Jets: After watching the NYR quite a bit this season I’ve come to the conclusion the Jacob Trouba really misses his old partner Josh Morrissey and vice-vera. Trouba looked very ordinary and Josh had a very average season as well but together they were one of the top pairings in the NHL.
7. Jets: Tonight is phase 2 of the draft lottery better known as the Alexis Lafrenière sweepstakes. The Winnipeg Jets and the other seven teams involved have a 12.5% chance of winning Alexis Lafrenière but I hope Toronto, Edmonton, Pittsburgh or Nashville don’t win him. Just the fact we are talking about this goes to show you how flawed the process is. How is this helping the NHL’s have-nots?
UPDATE:
The New York Rangers won the Phase 2 Draft Lottery last night. Perfect, the team that attracts the most UFAs gets another bone thrown their way. Like I mentioned earlier, the lottery is broken.
8. Jets: On a positive note, it looks like Jansen Harkins has solidified himself a spot on next year’s roster. His work effort and compete level is just what this team needs. We have too many figure skaters that look pretty but don’t accomplish anything.
9. Jets: I’m not big on mass firings and head-chopping after a series loss and like most fans, I get pissed off and emotional right after a loss but common sense usually kicks in after a couple of days. With that being said, check out the poll question below.
10. Jets: POLL QUESTION: Is it time for a change at the top? You can choose up to 3 answers. 
Loading ...
11. Jets: Most people that know me understand why I’m not a huge Kyle Connor fan. I’ve been accused of being a KC hater BUT that is not true. I don’t hate any Jets players. Connor is a nifty skater with great hands. There is no disputing that. I have always thought Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is the Jets’ best left-winger. I like Nik’s compete level more and he is a line driver. I’ve always said that KC is linemate dependant and Ehlers has never been given the same first line and first unit powerplay opportunities as Connor. If KC isn’t on the top line and first unit powerplay he doesn’t produce. I think he got overpaid last fall but that’s just me. The positive Ehlers tweet below was one of many Jets fans posted after the series.
Time for the @nhljets to accept Nikolaj Ehlers is the best player on the team (non-goalie) and shape the offense around him. Top PP minutes, first line, heck even some PK time, etc. He is elite and being held back unfairly.
— Meric S (@mericsummers) August 7, 2020
12. Jets: I heard some Winnipeg Jets fans bemoaning the loss of Mason Appleton in the Calgary series. What has Appleton done that anybody would miss him? This fanbase falls in love with and overrates mediocre players too easily in my opinion.
13. Jets: Nothing against Cody Eakin or Andrew Copp but neither one of them is a long-term answer for replacing Bryan Little. The search for a second-line center continues. It seems like we’ve been saying that forever. Kevin Hayes sure looks good in Philly.
14. Jets: I thought Tucker Poolman was decent in the restart. I like Poolman as a third-pairing defenceman.
15. Jets: After a surprisingly good regular season, Neal Pionk struggled in the playoffs. He wasn’t alone, Josh Morrissey struggled as well. The Jets smaller d-men couldn’t handle the bigger Flames forwards in the corners and in front of the net. The loss of Buff, Trouba, Myers, and Chiarot showed in this series. What a difference a year makes.
16. Random: The funniest thing I heard this weekend came from Sir Nick Faldo during the PGA Championship on Sunday.
Sir Nick said –
“I get sea sick on a damp lawn”
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
If you have any questions please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.
If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.
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
Thank you for this Mitch. Well said. I don’t agree will that all, but agree with most. For example, I think sAppletob has more upside than other’s pegged for bottom six. Skinners soon?
ya … lots of upside for a lot of players … we need a couple to pan out … I’m not quite ready fopr Skinners yet LOL