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 had a quiet week with only two games, both versus the Montreal Canadiens and they managed to come away with four points. They were full value in their win on Thursday night but stole the second game in overtime on Saturday after being outplayed for most of the night. The Jets now have a modest 4-game winning streak and an overall record of 13-6-1.
2. Jets: March is going to be a beast of a month for the Winnipeg Jets with 17 games and only 5 at home. If the boys can manage a minimum of 17-20 points they should be in decent shape heading into the home stretch with 12 home games in their final 20.
3. Jets: For the second overtime game in a row the Jets started the three on three with 3 forwards and scored within the first minute (36 seconds). I wonder if Paul Maurice will make this a regular occurrence?
4. Moose: The Manitoba Moose finished their second week of play with a four-game road trip in Laval and they went 2-2-0 but the disappointing part was they won the first two games and couldn’t scratch out another point in the final two games. Their record currently sits at 4-4-0 overall. The Moose continue their road trip with two games in Toronto and two more games in Belleville before heading home for 17 in a row at home. That’s right, I said 17!
5. Jets: In a game where the Jets were outshot 41-21, Nathan Beaulieu logged a game high 24:o1 on Saturday night. Nuff said. The Jets won 2-1 in OT, so I guess Nate lives to fight another day. I’m not a Beaulieu hater. I think he is useful as a depth defenceman, maybe a number 7 or 8 but not a top pairing guy that plays the most minutes in any game. That is insanity. What is Paul Maurice thinking or is this on Charlie Huddy?
6. Jets: Mathieu Perreault has been quietly been playing some pretty good hockey of late and I’m not sure anybody has noticed. MP just quietly goes about his business and plays wherever needed and doesn’t complain. He is true pro.
7. Jets: Pierre-Luc Dubois now has five games under his belt so I think it is time for Paul Maurice to fully optimize his lineup and get PLD back to playing center. Scheif, Dubois, Stastny, and Lowry make a formidable center ice combination. Time for Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis to join the popcorn brigade and get Kristian Vesalainen and Jansen Harkins back into the lineup as well. Thompson and Lewis are okay as depth forwards and will still be needed with back to back games upcoming and injuries but shouldn’t be playing over the kids in my opinion.
8. Jets: Is #27 the Winnipeg Jets best player outside of Connor Hellebuyck?
9. Jets: Kyle Connor is absolutely scintillating in the offensive zone but absolutely cringe-worthy in the defensive zone. I don’t know how many times he gives away the puck or can’t get it out but he is definitely the worst of the Jets forwards.
10. Jets: Kyle Connor and Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers have sure found some nice chemistry together and Paul Stastny compliments them quite nicely as well. I’m not sure I would mess with this line when the re-shuffle starts.
11. Jets: I’ve watched 5 out of the 8 Manitoba Moose games his season and I’m not sure what the Jets are waiting for because Ville Heinola is NHL ready and Dylan Samberg isn’t far behind. I’ve always been impressed with Heinola but I really like Samberg.
12. NHL: Key dates.
- 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. Jets: Poll Question:
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14. Jets: I thought Sami Niku played very well in his two games against the Habs last week. His puck moving ability and his breakouts were very good and I hope he gets into more games in the future.
15. Jets: Schedule
16. Jets: There are rumours the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a right-shot defenceman and Brandon Montour’s name keeps popping up. There was a time where Montour was considered a sure-fire top-four defenceman. I would take a long, hard look at acquiring him if I were Chevy.
FYI: Brandon Montour makes $3,850,000 this season and next season he becomes a UFA.
17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum). I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.
These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division. Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.
- PP: 3rd at 23.40% up from 22.80% last week.
- PK: 2nd at 80.00 down from 80.40% last week.
- FO: 5th at 49 .50 up from 48.70% last week … Jets faceoffs are still weak in special team situations.
18. Jets: Why isn’t Dylan DeMelo playing with Josh Morrissey?
19. Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 10-5-1 … 2.56 GAA … .918 SV%
- Laurent Brossoit: 3-1-0 … 2.24 GAA … .935 SV%
20. Jets: Paul Maurice is constantly bombarded on Twitter for a myriad of reasons and sometimes deservedly so and I occasionally wonder myself if the Jets win because of him or in spite of him? (see #5) Discuss amongst yourselves.
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In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
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