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: It is less than a month until the Winnipeg Jets have to submit their protection list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft but I wonder if the Jets want to see how Kevin Cheveldayoff makes out with RFA forward Andrew Copp first? I would think this might be the first domino that needs to be played since it could impact the protected list decision.
2. NHL: Wouldn’t it make sense if the NHL’s salary cap covered the WHOLE season? Yes it would.
3. Jets: It’s happening again, Jets fans are getting whipped into a frenzy with the hope that Kevin Cheveldayoff is going to be a big player in the UFA market and land a big fish like Dougie Hamilton. Man oh man when will this fanbase ever learn? I would be over the moon if he could lure a player like Mike Reilly but resigned to the fact it will probably be Derek Forbort. Again.
4. NHL: Man is it hard watching a hockey game when you loathe both teams. I couldn’t even trick myself into pulling for the team I hate the least. There isn’t one fiber in me that could make cheer for Vegas or Montreal.
5. Jets: If the Winnipeg Jets have players that are anti-vaxers would you want to know and would you feel differently about them if you did know?
6. NHL: Why do NHL officials get a free pass when it comes to media scrutiny? I think it is time NHL officials are part of post-game interviews. Maybe if the officials had to face the music they’d get their heads out of their asses.
7. NHL: Is it just me or does it seem like every body-check now gets dissected to see if it was illegal? When did hockey become this soft? It is getting embarrassing.
8.NHL: Even with video review and coach’s challenges it is amazing how poorly officiated NHL games are. I would say the NHL has surpassed NBA now as the worst officiated sport.
9. NHL: How do FOUR officials miss Cory Perry getting cut open in game 3? Most fans outside of Montreal hate Perry but still that was an egregious non-call. It’s one thing to let a minor penalty slide but this was inexcusable.
10. Jets: I’ve made my decision and it was a tough one but I choose the 23-year-old Logan Stanley over the 28-year-old Dylan DeMelo for my Seattle expansion draft protected list.
11. Jets: Poll Question: Should Chevy cut a deal with Seattle GM Ron Francis so the Jets don’t lose a player off their roster in the expansion draft? In the 2017 Vegas expansion draft the Jets and Vegas cut a deal where the Golden Knights would select Chris Thorburn’s expiring contract. In the deal they flip-flopped 1st rounders with Winnipeg acquiring the 24th pick (from Vegas, from Columbus) in the 2017 NHL Draft in exchange for the 13th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, and the Jets third-round selection in 2019.
FYI: If the Jets don’t cut this deal with Vegas they might have taken Nick Suzuki instead of trading down and getting Kristian Vesalainen. It’s too early to call this deal but the early returns certainly favour Suzuki.
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12. NHL: Key dates.
- June 2 – NHL Draft Lottery (Buffalo won)
- 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. Jets: Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?
UPDATE:
After sweeping the Edmonton Oilers I thought the brain trust probably earned some good will and saved their jobs for another season BUT this brutal showing versus Montreal has put BOTH CHEVY and POMO right back on the hot seat. It is going to be an interesting off-season. Because of a short off-season Chevy will be spared but it might be time to clean house but that’s just me. Please vote on our poll question.
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14. NHL: Have I mentioned lately how much I despise NHL officials? Just when I thought I’ve seen it all there was game 4 in Montreal. What an absolute embarrassment. Gary Bettman and his henchmen make it so easy to hate them. (see #6)
15. Jets: At least the brutal officiating in the Montreal/Vegas series has taken the spotlight away from the Mark Scheifele hit. For now.
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
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