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. NHL: It has been exactly three months since I’ve posted any thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets or the NHL and although it looks like we are getting closer to a resumption of play, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here are a few thoughts on what has been discussed over the past few weeks.
2. Jets: In late May the NHL announced their “Return to Play Plan” and tentative dates for Phases 2-4. The first key date was June 8 for Phase 2. Phase 2 has come and gone but with the 14-day quarantine still in effect for travellers returning to Canada the NHL practice facilities in Canadian cities have been very quiet. I’ve tried to find out how many Winnipeg Jets players are in Winnipeg and it sounds like there are only two or three.
3. NHL: The talks that the NHL was deciding to look at starting Phase 3 on July 10 (which would mean training camps would open) were confirmed on Thursday.
NHL, NHLPA agree on opening date for formal training camps. https://t.co/35lF9nEob0 pic.twitter.com/l6W4VLXVYv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 11, 2020
4. Jets: For the record, as much as I miss hockey I am not in favour of our governments making blanket exemptions for players returning to Manitoba and/or Canada when it involves the quarantine period. I think each player should be reviewed on an individual basis and then go from there. In the grand scheme of things getting to your ass to Winnipeg at least 14 days before training camp opens shouldn’t be that big a deal if you want to hit the ice and do your part in keeping Manitoba safe. I can live with the new Provincial parameters (below) but the players will be on the honour system. As of this writing, the NHL continues talks with the Federal Government but NO concessions have been made.
PRO SPORTS TEAMS
Proposed Change: People employed by or affiliated with a professional sports team may enter Manitoba without self-isolating for 14 days if they have
self-isolated for 14 days before arriving in Manitoba and follow appropriate hygiene
measures while travelling.— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) June 11, 2020
UPDATE:
Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau said today that the federal government is “open” to the possibility of Toronto, Edmonton or Vancouver serving as a hub city in the NHL’s restart. https://t.co/rWFrFJvgz5
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 16, 2020
5. NHL: In the NHL’s ‘Return to Play Plan” they announced a 20 team format for restarting the season and I’m not going to criticize it because it was going to be impossible to please everyone. I think the NHL did a pretty good job of being fair and especially to the “bubble teams” who weren’t left out in the cold. For me, the best-of-five play-in series was a pretty solid idea.
6. Jets: I know these guys have been gone for ages now but the Jets sure lost a lot of team toughness with the departures of Buff, Myers, Chiarot, and Trouba. Yes, I still believe in “team toughness”.
7. Jets: Maybe the Winnipeg Jets should hold their training camp in the USA if they don’t want to self-quarantine. Hell, most of them are already there since half the team are Americans. (see #6)
8. Jets: After a three-month layoff, I can’t help but wonder if the best teams are still the best teams?
9. NHL: I wonder if the NHL has given any thought as to how much player chatter will be picked up on the television broadcasts with the arenas being empty? This could be fun. Scheif will be okay because he doesn’t swear.
10. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets are scheduled to play the Calgary Flames in the best-of-five “play-in” round but I really have nothing to say about this series. I’m just looking forward to the team starting training camp. I am really hoping to see a healthy Bryan Little. This team really misses him. He is still a very capable #2 center in my opinion.
11. Jets: A couple of my memories from the first part of the season are Connor Hellebuyck’s Vezina Trophy worthy play and the lack of physicality on our backend. (see #6)
12. NHL: I wonder if the NHL will make Brad Marchand wear a facemask?
13. Jets: We’ve been hearing for two years that Dylan Samberg is NHL ready so it will interesting to see if he will be in the Jets top six after the restart or will Paul Maurice stick with his veterans?
14. NHL: Is there ONE city safe enough to be a “Hub City” in the USA?
15. NHL: There are lots of mixed emotions about the NHL’s restart. What do you think?
Loading ...
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
