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: The Winnipeg Jets are 1-0 after winning their only game this season over Calgary (4-3 in OT) but it sure looked ugly after the first period. The Jets looked disorganized and awful defensively but they completely turned it around in the second and third period and won it on a terrific goal by Patrik Laine in overtime. Wheeeeeeew.
2. Jets: After one game Patrik Laine certainly has Winnipeg Jets’ fans shouting “SIGN HIM NOW”. Laine’s two-goal and one assist performance was a thing of beauty.
3. Jets: With Tucker Poolman not making the road trip because of Covid protocol and Dylan DeMelo missing because of the birth of his child we should get a look at Logan Stanley, Dylan Samberg or Ville Heinola on this road trip.
4. Jets: Based on what we’ve seen here with Nik Ehlers and Tucker Poolman the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL are taking no chances when it comes to their Covid-19 protocols and especially after what happened to the Dallas Stars.
5. Jets: Elliott Friedman has reported that the Pittsburg Penguins may have interest in disgruntled Jets RFA Jack Roslovic. It would interesting to see what they would offer? I’m guessing nothing off their current roster.
FYI: Jack Roslovic (RFA) has until Feb. 11 to sign with the Winnipeg Jets or another team, if the Jets trade him, or he becomes ineligible to play this season.
6. SPHL: This is pretty good from the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The legend lives on 🍟 pic.twitter.com/uss4qHbJXE
— Knoxville Ice Bears (@icebears) January 18, 2021
7. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets play five games this week and six games over the next nine days and although I would like to see them go 6-0, I don’t think that is realistic. Considering the line-up challenges and the schedule I would be ok with 6-7 points but would be a little disappointed if we didn’t get 7-8 points.
8. Jets: For me, the jury is still out on the Tucker Poolman/Josh Morrissey paring. I thought Poolman really looked over-matched at times BUT I also thought he did some good things. In fairness, I think we need to see him for at least a 10-game segment before passing judgement.
9. Jets: I thought Derek Forbort quietly had a nice first game for his new team. I thought he and Neal Pionk were the Jets’ best pairing.
10. Jets: Me, last week before the New Jersey Devils claimed Eric Comrie on waivers.
Why didn’t Chevy bring in a veteran goalie on a PTO as insurance for Helle and Brossoit. The thought of Eric Comrie having to play leaves me sleepless at nights and Mikhail “birdman” Berdin is not quite ready yet.
Asked and answered:
#NHLJets have claimed goaltender Anton Forsberg off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes.
DETAILS: https://t.co/IlfCipo2AW
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 15, 2021
11. Jets: It is too bad but I think we may have seen the last of Sami Niku.
12. NHL: Key dates.
- Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
- Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
- Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
- Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
- May 8 – End of the regular season
- May 11 – Playoffs begin
- July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
- July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
- July 21 – Expansion draft
- July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
- July 28 – Free agency opens
13. Pet peeve: I don’t care what the NHL rulebook states, I don’t understand why this is allowed in today’s game? What is the purpose of having a goal crease? I like the IIHF rule where if you enter the crease on your own without being pushed in, the referee blows the play dead and moves the faceoff outside the blueline.
14. Jets: After losing Eric Comrie to the New Jersey Devils (waivers) and claiming Anton Fosberg from the waiver wire (Carolina) there is no doubt in my mind the Winnipeg Jets got the best of this exchange.
15. Jets: Schedule
16. NHL: The problem with 3-point games in the NHL is the misinformation that goes along with them. After the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils split their two games in overtime/shootout both teams’ tv analysts declared their teams both had a successful opening two-game series by taking 3 out of 4 points when they actually took 3 out of 6 points.
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In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
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