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 NHL season ended last week and I wanted to congratulate them on their Stanley Cup victory until I saw their reckless, irresponsible behaviour in their celebrations back in Florida. What was the point of being in the bubble and staying safe and then recklessly letting people drink from the CUP during a parade and especially in that cesspool of a state.? What a bunch of IDIOTS and especially Alex Killorn.
2. NHL: I mentioned this in my last post but I have to give credit where credit is due. Gary Bettman and his henchmen did an incredible job on the restart of NHL hockey. NOT ONE NHL PLAYER CONTRACTED THE COVID-19 VIRUS WHILE IN THE BUBBLE. Well done.
3. Jets: A lot of people, including myself are looking forward to this week to see what the Winnipeg Jets do at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (Tues-Wed) and the start of “Free Agency” on Friday. I actually think Chevy might be very active this week but don’t we say that every off-season?
4. Jets: When TSN’s trade bait board came out and Patrik Laine’s name was high on their list I called BS until Chevy basically admitted he was shopping him and I was quite shocked. The Winnipeg Jets are notorious for playing their cards close to the vest and nothing leaves their “cone of silence”. The only reason I could think of was during last summer’s contract negotiations with Laine’s camp they were asking for the moon and Kevin Chevedayoff thinks signing him under the Jets framework isn’t going to be possible. I doubt Chevy wants to be held hostage again like he was with Jacob Trouba situation.
5. NHL: Do you ever wonder why every UFA is rumoured to be going to Toronto and especially when they have no cap space? It actually makes me want to puke. New York is a close second on my puke list. I think I might coin that phrase.
6. Jets: Winnipeg Jets sign goaltender Laurent Brossoit to a one-year contract. To be honest this didn’t surprise me as the talk is next season is going to have a compressed schedule, meaning more work for backup goalies and the Winnipeg Jets aren’t quite ready to have Mikhail Berdin as the backup. I’m actually okay with that.
7. Jets: Watching the Stanley Cup final I couldn’t help but notice that Dallas added Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski during the off-season and the Jets added the likes of Mark Letestu, Nick Shore. Anthony Bitetto, and Gabrielle Bourque. Say what you want about Corey Perry, I would rather have a former league MVP on my fourth line than any of the guys I mentioned earlier.
8. Jets: I would rather overpay a UFA to fill a need than trade a star player. UFAs are a free roster spot that doesn’t cost you anything but money. If you got it, spend it.
10. Jets: It is completely different than the Buff situation but I hope Bryan Little’s injury status doesn’t hamper the Winnipeg Jets’ ability to go after a big fish during free agency.
11. NHL: I was a little confused by the statement Count Chocula made when he said the NHL didn’t want to be playing hockey in the summer this coming season. How can this be avoided if they aren’t starting until Dec.1 at the earliest and they still want to play an 82-game schedule?
12. Jets: If and I mean if the Jets trade Patrik Laine, I hope they trade him to an eastern conference team. I don’t want to watch him lighting us up 7-8 times a year for the next ten years.
13. Jets: I’m like most Winnipeg Jets fans, I hope Chevy makes a splash at the draft and/or free agency but I would prefer nothing rather than something desperate like trading Patrik Laine for table scraps. Like I mentioned early, I would prefer to overpay in free agency or use prospects to fill holes on the roster. I would not touch the core.
14. Jets: I don’t care if you fill a need or acquire some depth, anytime you trade the best player in a deal YOU LOSE …. BOTTOM LINE … the only thing worse is trading a stud forward for a defenceman ala Edm with Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson.
15. NHL: Important dates:
NHL Entry Draft: The draft will be held virtually over the two-day period.
Oct. 6 – Tuesday … 1st round … 6 pm MB time.
Oct. 7 – Wednesday … rounds 2-7 … 10:30 am MB time.
Restricted Free Agents:
Oct. 7 – Wednesday … 4 pm … Deadline to submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents.
These qualifying offers can be signed by RFAs once free agency opens at 11 am MB time on Oct. 9.
NHL Free agency:
Oct. 9 – Friday … 11 am MB time.
Restricted Free Agents:
Oct. 18 – Sunday … Qualifying offers expire.
16. Jets: On Sunday the Winnipeg Jets tendered qualifying offers to six of their seven restricted free agents, forwards Mason Appleton, Jansen Harkins, Jack Roslovic and C.J. Suess, as well as defencemen Sami Niku and Nelson Nogier.
Michael Spacek didn’t receive a qualifying offer and will become a UFA.
Because the Jets gave these players qualifying offers it gives them the right of first refusal to match any offer sheets from competing teams and the team will officially retain negotiating rights with these players.
17. Jets: Congrats to CJOB Sports. For us oldtimers, CJOB was the heartbeat of sports in Winnipeg for years.
680 CJOB and True North Sports + Entertainment sign exclusive deal for radio broadcast rights.
Station acquire the Winnipeg Jets’ exclusive radio broadcast rights in a multi-year deal for all pre-season, regular season and playoff games.
DETAILS ➡ https://t.co/PxkYdGLhro pic.twitter.com/HukVbCvOfs
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 5, 2020
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
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