Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –
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 warn
1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets played three pretty darn good games this week against pretty stiff competition and managed a 1-1-1 record. They probably deserved better but you are what your record is, right? The Winnipeg Jets overall record now sits at 33-28-6 and they are in a dog fight for a Wildcard spot.
The scoreboard watching is exhausting but it is that time of the season.
2. Jets: Is it just me or does it seem like when the Jets need their special teams they both fail at the worst times. Saturday night’s game in Edmonton was a perfect example and man is it frustrating. That was a game this team could have won.
3. Jets: On the bright side, the Jets play last week was pretty impressive considering their injuries and the defence corp Paul Maurice had at his disposal. In saying that, the Winnipeg Jets need Josh back ASAP.
4. Jets: I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon until I watched him play for a few games but I like Dylan DeMelo and I think he is a player the Jets should look at resigning. He is a top-six defenceman for this team.
5. Jets: As of this morning the Winnipeg Jets odds of making the playoffs sit at 17.5%, down from 26.3% last week while their chances of winning the draft lottery are at 3.7%, up from 3.3% last week.
6. Jets: Jansen Harkins sure has wriggled his way into a prime-time position in the Jets line-up. I don’t think he ever sees the Moose again unless he buys a ticket.
7. NHL: Please fix your officiating. The inconsistency from game to game is so frustrating.
8. Jets: The Dustin Byfuglien watch: Buff did not get traded at the deadline so the saga continues. Now the question is will he ever play again.
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9. NHL: IT IS TIME TO MAKE ALL GAMES WORTH THREE POINTS.
10. Jets: Connor Hellebuyck pitched his FIFTH shutout of the season on Thursday versus the Caps and I would have to say that could be considered a minor miracle.
11. Jets: Jack Roslovic plays his best hockey in a bottom-six role where he faces easier match-ups but for me, the jury is still out if he will ever be a top-six forward, not that there’s anything wrong with that. Everybody can’t be top-six. Top -nine is still pretty good.
12. Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 27-21-5 … 2.67 GAA … .919 SV% … 5 shutouts.
- Laurent Brossoit: 6-7-1 … 3.28 GAA … .895 SV%
13. 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.
- PP: 17th at 19.70% down from 14th at 20.50%
- PK: 26th at 76.80% down from 25th at 77.20%
- FO: 16th at 49.90% down from 14th at 50.10%
14. Jets: I wish the Jets were comfortably in a playoff position but sometimes the thrill is in the hunt. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
15. Name this tune: The lyric clue is.
Two feet they come a creepin’ … Like a black cat do
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
We were discussing our lineup when we become healthy and where everyone will fit.
Shore and Borque are probably out. We will have 4 good centers that can be moved around, with the ability to have others move into that position.
With the pending huge cap raise and room we have, we could bolster our defense quite a bit. DeMelo and Morrisey might be a staple on the back end. Get someone to play with Pionk and we will have a really good top 4.
No one knows yet what really with Buff, other than he’s probably played his last game in Winnipeg, if you read between the lines of what Chevy has said. Little is a unknown dynamic, and until hes back in action, we won’t know, even though he was playing well, but has some real buzzard luck.
I was looking at the UFA class and nothing really got me too excited except maybe Tyson Barrie. I would defeinately take a run at him. Add him and Samberg and the defence could be alright. Chevy will have to get off his ass and make a hockey trade if he wants a #2 center