Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon”
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 very successful week winning two home games and improved their record to 7-3-1 and I’m sure even the most optimistic Jets fan didn’t see this coming.
2. Jets: I have noticed the Jets have gone back to playing the more traditional two-man high and the center down low in the defensive zone with the defencemen down low and not chasing. I like this much better because the play is always in front of them and it is far less confusing. It’s the way hockey has been played for decades and I’m not sure who thought playing man-on-man and chasing him all over the rink was a good idea. IT’S NOT.
3. Jets: Nate Schmidt is not the same player as he was last season, he looks a lot more comfortable and settled in. He is playing much better.
4. Jets: Right now, Josh Morrissey is playing unbelievable hockey. He is actually leading the Winnipeg Jets in scoring. Ya, like anybody, saw that coming. Is this the real Josh or is this an aberration? I think the truth is somewhere in between. Nobody thinks he is going to continue this scoring pace but it sure is nice.
5. NHL: He is a beauty. When I first saw this I laughed so hard I needed to go for a shit.
Classic Sutter pic.twitter.com/0SLGsz8I86
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 30, 2022
6. Moose: The Manitoba Moose are a tidy 6-2-1-0 after splitting their series with the Texas Stars this weekend and are currently sitting in third place in the AHL’s Western Conference. It took longer than expected but Ville Heinola, through his agent has started to show his frustration about being stuck in the AHL.
7. Jets: STOP … PUTTING … LOWRY … AND … APPLETON … ON … THE … ICE … IN … OVERTIME.
8. ICE: The Canadian Hockey League announced their Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2022-23 season. The Winnipeg dropped to #2 without losing a game and hardly playing any home games. Their record is a very impressive 15-1-0 record. The Red Derr Rebels are a perfect 15-0 and are ranked #3. Go figure.
Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 5
as of Nov. 1
1. Quebec Remparts
2. Winnipeg ICE
3. Red Deer Rebels
4. Sherbrooke Phoenix
5. Seattle Thunderbirds
6. Ottawa 67’s
7. Windsor Spitfires
8. Portland Winterhawks
9. Halifax Mooseheads
10. Saskatoon Blades
9. Jets: The Jets’ breakouts are a lot crisper than they have been in the past which is a nice sign but they still struggle (as most teams do) with teams that have a big, heavy, fast, and aggressive forecheck.
10. Jets: If you look in the hockey dictionary under forechecking you will see a picture of Axel Jonsson-Fjallby. He reminds me of a young Mathieu Perreault. This was a very shrewd waiver pickup by the Jets. The credit for this one definitely goes to their pro scouting staff. Nicely done.
11. Jets: Another shutout for Connor Hellebuyck. HE’S BACK!
12. Jets: 
Loading ...
13. Jets: I’ve watched Kyle Capobianco play quite a few games when he was with the Arizona Coyotes and I’ve been hoping to see him get a chance to play and he finally got in the lineup vs the Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon and he didn’t disappoint. For a guy that hasn’t played a game yet, he looked very good and made some confident plays with the puck. This was a very good depth signing by Chevy.
14. Jets: My weekly question for Rick Bowness, Kevin Cheveldayoff, or Mark Chipman.
This one is for Kevin Cheveldayoff. Now that there seems to be unrest in the Ville Heinola camp, what’s next? Is his value as an elite prospect dwindling?
15. Jets: Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).
- PP: 17th at 20.50% up from 26th last week at 13.30%
- PK: 6th at 82.80% up from 18th last week at 79.20%
- FO: 30th at 44.90%
16. Jets: Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 6-2-1 … 2.09 GAA … .936 SV% … 2 shutouts
- David Rittich: 1-1-0 … 3.07 GAA … .885 SV%
