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 an interesting week going 2-1 and it showed the best and the worst they could offer. After dominating the Stanley Cup Champions 5-0 they laid a massive egg versus Patrik Laine and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jets did improve their record to 15-7-1 for the season and sit in second place in the Central Division.
2. Jets: Remember when we all thought we won the Jacob Trouba trade? Can you imagine Trouba and Josh together right now?
3. Jets: Has anybody noticed that Mikey Eyssimont shoots every chance he gets? I wish other Jets forwards had the same mentality (KC). He is slowly becoming one of my faves if you haven’t noticed over the past couple of weeks.
4. Jets: The amount of time they spent on the video review of Dylan Samberg’s goal Sunday afternoon was an absolute disgrace and an embarrassment. Nice job Count Chocula, you and your minions couldn’t find a way to screw us again.
5. Jets: Is there a goaltender in the NHL playing any better than Connor Hellebuyck? HELLE is definitely playing at a Vezina Trophy level again.
6. Moose: The Manitoba Moose moose went 1-0-0-1 last week, snagging 3 out of points in their two games and just keep chugging along putting up positive results. They are getting solid goaltending from the tandem of Oskari Salminen and Arvid Holm. The Moose currently have a record of 10-5-2-1.
7. Jets: I was never a big Eric Comrie fan and I’m not overly enthused with the play of “Big save Dave” either. The Jets are going to need more from the backup position or they might end up overplaying HELLE.
8. ICE: The Canadian Hockey League announced their Week 9 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2022-23 season and they have moved the ICE to #2 probably just for something to do since the ICE still have a better record than Quebec.
Notice there are 5 teams from the WHL but the Jets Director of Amateur Scouting, Mark Hillier avoids it like it’s the plague.
Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 9
as of Nov. 29
1. Quebec Remparts (21-3-0-1)
2. Winnipeg ICE (22-3-0-0)
3. Seattle Thunderbirds (15-4-1-0)
4. Ottawa 67’s (19-4-0-0)
5. Portland Winterhawks (17-3-1-1)
6. Saskatoon Blades (15-4-1-0)
7. Sherbrooke Phoenix (18-5-1-1)
8. Red Deer Rebels (18-4-0-3)
9. Saginaw Spirit (17-6-1-0)
10. Victoriaville Tigres (16-6-1-2)
9. Jets: I find it hard to believe the Washington Capitals couldn’t find a spot on their roster for a speedster like Axel Jonsson-Fjallby. I watch a lot of Caps games and they have some really bad players. Oh well, their loss was our gain.
10. Jets: All I have to say is Cole Perfetti’s vision and passing ability are ELITE.
11. Jets: Neil Pionk must have been absent from class the day they were teaching ‘hockey sense”. He leaves me shaking my head more than any other Jets player.
12. Jets: Poll question-
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13. Jets: Does anybody miss Andrew Copp? I know I don’t. Five years at $5,625,000! Saku Maenalanen has one more goal than Andrew Copp. LOL I’m very happy getting Morgan Barron in the Copp trade. Another big body with a very good work ethic.
14. Jets: My weekly question for Rick Bowness, Kevin Cheveldayoff, or Mark Chipman.
This is for Chevy. Have you offered Pierre-Luc Dubois an 8-year $9,000,000 – $9,500,000 AAV contract extension yet and if not, what are you waiting for?
15. Jets: Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).
- PP: 20th at 21.10% up from 23rd last week at 20.00%
- PK: 3rd at 83.90% up from 10th last week at 81.10%
- FO: 26th at 47.30% up from 28th last week at 46.30%
16. Jets: Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 12-5-1 … 2.27 GAA … .931 SV% … 3 shutouts
- David Rittich: 3-2-0 … 3.07 GAA … .881 SV%
