Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon”
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: The Winnipeg Jets had a tough week on and off the ice. They lost 2 out of their 3 games and players are dropping like flies. The good news is the Jets’ record going into the Christmas break is a very solid 21-12-1 and we all would have taken that at the start of this season. I would say 21-12-1 is excellent all things considered.
2. Jets: It’s bad enough that the Jets roster is being held together with bandaids and bubble gum but what kind of sadistic asshole schedules them to play 5 games in 7 nights? People wonder why I hate that weasel Gary Bettman’s guts.
3. Jets: After watching the undermanned Jets battle the Boston Bruins last week I came away thinking the Bruins aren’t anything special but man they play hard and don’t lose many board battles. Their skill level isn’t better than the Jets but their work ethic and compete level is probably the best in the NHL.
4. NHL: NHL officials need to stop giving teams power plays because players can’t hold on to their sticks. These little love taps and guys losing their sticks are embarrassing. If an opposing player takes a big hack at a player’s stick or breaks the stick, then by all means call a penalty but like I said some of these love taps and guys dropping their sticks is embarrassing.
5. Jets: There has been and still is a lot of controversy in celebrating the Alex Ovechkin empty net tour but I’ve always had a hard time dealing with sports and politics. I know many people would like to hear OV renounce his love for Putin but it isn’t that simple when your family and friends still live in Russia. That being said I don’t give a rat’s ass about him chasing down Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record or celebrating his accomplishments.
Surprise. Another Russian official speaking out against Putin fell out of a window. To clarify, if you speak out, are Russian, you will probably be killed.
— 🟠Karl The Ol ALFr🇺🇦 (@perch35km) December 27, 2022
6. Jets: Even though OV can kiss my grumpy old ass I thought it was pure class by Jets players lining up to shake OV’s hand after he passed Gordie Howe and moved to second place on the all-time scoring list.
7. IIHF: It is my favourite time of year when the U20 WHC and the Spengler Cup are on the tube. I love recognizing all the ex-NHLers playing in the tournament.
8. ICE: The Canadian Hockey League announced their Week 12 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2022-23 season and the Winnipeg ICE are still #2. However, their record is better than Seattle’s. Oh well.
Speaking of Seattle there is talk that Winnipeg Jets prospect will be joining the Thunderbirds after he is finished playing for Team Finland at the U20 WHC. The rich get richer. Too bad the Winnipeg ICE didn’t trade for Lambert’s WHL rights.
Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 12
as of Dec. 21
1. Seattle Thunderbirds (23-4-1-1)
2. Winnipeg ICE (26-4-0-0)
3. Quebec Remparts (26-5-0-1)
4. Saskatoon Blades (24-5-0-0)
5. Portland Winterhawks (23-4-2-1)
6. Ottawa 67’s (24-6-0-1)
7. London Knights (20-8-1-0)
8. Victoriaville Tigres (22-7-1-3)
9. Halifax Mooseheads (21-7-3-1)
10. North Bay Battalion (22-9-0-1)
9. Jets: Winnipeg Jets have FOUR prospects playing in the U20 WHC this week in the Maritimes. Representing Team USA will be 2021 1st rounder Chaz Lucius and 2022 1st rounder Rutger McGroarty. Another 2022 1st rounder, Brad Lambert will be playing for Team Finland and unsigned 6th-rounder Fabian Wagner will be playing for Team Sweden.
10. Jets: Kevin Stenlund looks like he is quickly turning into the Winnipeg Jets’ new “Swiss Army Knife”. With all the injuries on the Jets Stenlund has been asked to play on the 3rd line, the 4th line, the PK, and the PP. Not bad for a guy who was in the AHL 3 weeks ago.
11. Jets: Poll question-
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12. Jets: Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).
- PP: 14th at 23.10% down from 11th last week at 24.20%
- PK: 5th at 81.90% down from 5th last week at 82.10%
- FO: 26th at 46.80% down from 26th last week at 47.30%
13. Jets: Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 16-8-1 … 2.36 GAA … .928 SV% … 3 shutouts
- David Rittich: 5-4-0 … 2.61 GAA … .906 SV%
Seasons Greetings good sir. Your point #2 has been a bone of contention with me for a long time. The human body needs a bit of recovery time after a rigorous sporting event. Fatigue leads to injury as players may seek to take shortcuts during a game. If a play requires specific procedures to accomplish, a tired body will automatically look for the less stressing solution. Playing back to back games, let alone 5 in 7 days is too stupid for words…I consider this a safety issue and the NHLPA should take notice.
Happy New Year Les …. I’m so tired of hearing its the same for every team … that is such BS and the weasel thinks we’re gullible enough to believe it … sorry GARY … the eastern teams have it easy.