Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: May 10

May 10, 2021 by

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:  When it comes to hiring and firing, player deployment, and prospect development hockey franchises always play the long game and don’t run their teams like how fans run their fantasy hockey rosters.  In the NHL, teams deal with real people and real money.  Fans, including me often have takes or opinions based on recent events that aren’t realistic.  I am trying real hard to stay balanced but this team is making it very hard.       

2. Jets:  Thank goodness it is over.  The Winnipeg Jets snapped their worst losing streak in Jets 2.0 history vs Calgary thanks to a solid 4-0 victory over an uninspired Flames team.  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-2 last week but continued their uninspired play at home.  While other teams are peaking for the playoffs, the Jets are limping in and look like a team that wants to just get the playoffs started.  The Jets now sit at 28-22-3. 

3. Jets:  The Jets only have 6 more wins than the youthful Ottawa Senators.  Let that marinate for a few minutes.   

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose had a great week in Toronto sweeping the 3-game series with the Marlies and improved their overall record to 18-11-2-1 on the season.  Cole Perfetti is on a heater right now putting up 5 goals, 11 assists in his last 10 games.

5. 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.  

Will Chevy or should Chevy cut a deal with Seattle GM Ron Francis so the Jets don't lose a player in the expansion draft?

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6. NHL:  I’m sorry Leaf fans but Connor McDavid is and should be the unanimous winner of the Hart Trophy.  Auston Matthews has had a very good season but if one media member from the Toronto media votes for Auston Matthews it shows that they really don’t understand the award and should have their credentials revoked.  If the Oilers didn’t have McDavid they would be a lottery team, if the Leafs didn’t have Matthews they would still be a solid playoff team.  End of story.

7. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose have now extended their streak of earning points to 11-consecutive games (10-0-01) after a 4-3 win versus the Marlies on Sunday afternoon.  Is is too bad there is no AHL playoffs because the Moose would be going into the playoffs playing the right way unlike the parent club.

8. Jets:  Kyle Connor has disappeared.  It was 8 games ago that he put up his last point and his effort level is less than inspiring.  I would trade him for Patrik Laine in a heartbeat.        

9. Jets:  Ville Heinola got into a couple games this past week and for the most part played very well.  The thing the impresses me about his game is that he doesn’t seem to get rattled.  He is going to be a special player.    

10. Jets:  I think Adam Lowry is a very underappreciated, underrated cog in the Jets engine and it was very noticeable when he was on the IR during their streak from hell.  Lowry is definitely the straw that stirs the drink on one of the best third lines in the NHL.  

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11. NHL:  Jeff Carter is starting to get comfortable in Pittsburg and looks to be a nice trade deadline addition.  Carter has put up 9 points in his past 10 games for the Pens in a secondary role.  Not bad.    

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • May 16 – End of the regular season
  • May ?? – 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:  Is Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s job in jeopardy?

After being swept in the second round by Montreal should heads roll?

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14. Jets:  This won’t be a very popular take but I’m old school and I believe there is some truth to this.  The Winnipeg Jets need more CHLers and less USHL/NCAA pretty boys.  To be clear I’m not talking about nationality but style of play in these leagues.                 

15. Jets:  Schedule

Monday May 10 vs Vancouver 7:00 PM

Tuesday May 11 vs Vancouver 7:00 PM 

Friday  May 14 vs Toronto 7:00 PM 

16. Jets:  Tucker Poolman was back at home in the third pairing on Saturday night but it didn’t seem to help, he was still pretty bad.  It will be interesting to see what the Jets do this off-season with Poolman who is a pending UFA.  I don’t see any room for him on next year’s roster.  In my opinion, he is/will be behind Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola, Dylan Samberg, and the Jets still have Nate Beaulieu and Sami Niku under contract for next season.

17. Jets:  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: 2nd at 23.90% down from 25.00% last week.
  • PK: 3rd at 79.90 up from 79.10% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 50.20 up from 49.90% last week.

18. Jets:  Right now I would part ways with Charlie Huddy before I would fire Paul Maurice. 

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  22-17-3 … 2.66 GAA … .914 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  6-5-0 … 2.36 GAA … .920 SV%

20. Jets:  I have to admit I was on the fence when it came to David Gustafsson but the more I see him the more I like him.  At the NHL level I think he probably tops out as a 3rd line center at best and there is nothing wrong with that.  He has 6 goals and 11 assists in his 18 games played for the Moose and might have some offensive upside at the next level.  I think he is more than capable of playing in Nate Thompson’s role next season.

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: May 3

May 3, 2021 by

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 finished one of their most embarrassing stretches in 2.0 history last week going 0-5 on their last homestand, losing 3 games to Edmonton and 2 games to Toronto.  Even more disturbing was they only scored 6 goals in those 5 games, the goaltending was sub-par, and they had minimal push-back as the Leafs and Oilers toyed with them in their own barn.  Thank goodness there were no fans in the building because it might have gotten ugly.  A lot of Jets fans are trying to put on a brave face and say things will be ok once the playoffs start etc. etc. but there is a lot of gloom and doom amongst the fanbase right now.  

UPDATE:  After a tough 2-1 loss in Ottawa last night the Winnipeg Jets losing streak is now SEVEN games.  The Jets went 0 for 6 on the PP and gave up a shorthanded goal.  I think that says it all.

2. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets went 0-3 last week and don’t have to worry about first or second place anymore.  That ship has sailed.  Now they are only two points ahead of Montreal for third place.  Wow, how the mighty have fallen.  The free-falling Jets now sit at 27-20-3. 

3. Jets:  The bloom is definitely off the rose as far as Derek Forbort is concerned.  Has now entered Anthony Bitetto and Nathan Beaulieu country as far as the Jets fanbase is concerned.  

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose had a good week snagging 5 of 6 points from the Stockton Heat and now have finished their monster 7-game homestand with a solid 9-5-2-1 record improving their overall record to 15-11-2-1 on the season.  The Cole Perfetti watch now has him at 8 goals, 15 assists, for 23 points in 29 games.

UPDATE:  The American Hockey League announced today Moose forward Cole Perfetti has been named the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for April.  Perfetti, 19, tied for the lead among AHL rookies, and the Moose, in scoring in April.  He recorded 13 points (4G, 9A) in just nine games. 

5. 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.  

Will Chevy or should Chevy cut a deal with Seattle GM Ron Francis so the Jets don't lose a player in the expansion draft?

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6. Jets:  The biggest thing I’ve noticed during this bad stretch for the home team beside their ongoing poor defensive play is their offence is struggling because they spend far to much time on the perimeter.  This team likes to score off the rush but when that’s not happening they seem to lack the grind to score the greasy goals.  The only players that regularly go to the tough areas and get their noses dirty are Mathieu Perreault, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Adam Lowry, and Mason Appleton.  Teams are starting to adjust their game plans from regular season to playoff mode and the Winnipeg Jets haven’t or can’t match those adjustments.  They have three weeks to figure it or it will be another early exit from the playoffs and then heads should roll …. if Mark Chipman has the balls.

7. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets blueline has been a source of concern all season but to be honest I think this team’s biggest problem isn’t the actual players but the deployment of the players.  Tucker Poolman is taking a lot of heat but is it his fault he is on the top pairing?  Derek Forbort’s play has really gone downhill in the last few weeks but he is still being trotted out alongside Neal Pionk every night.  Right now, Jordie Benn might actually be playing better than the beleaguered Derek Forbort.  Why is Dylan DeMelo still playing in the third pairing?  Why aren’t Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley playing more?  Hell, Sami Niku couldn’t be as bad as Forbort lately.  The biggest problem with the Jets blueline seems to be the guy or guys behind the bench.  I can’t believe the suits all agree on the deployment of the team’s defencemen and if they do the problem is even worse than we could imagine.   

8. Jets:  Does Kyle Connor still play for the Jets?  Is he the “Seven Million Dollar Man” or the “Invisible Man”?  I’ve tried real hard to change my attitude when it comes to KC but it is stretches like his current slide (one assist in six games), that validate my opinion that he is an overpaid one-dimensional hockey player and when that one dimension disappears he is absolutely useless.  He brings nothing else to the table if he’s not scoring.       

9. Jets:  I like the new Jets powerplay setup with Blake Wheeler on the right-side half wall and Neal Pionk on the point but for the life of me I can’t understand why Kyle Connor,  the team’s top sniper is sitting on the bench in favour of ANDREW COPP?  What the hell is wrong with Paul Maurice?  Are the Jets paying Kyle Connor over 7 million dollars a year to get 20 seconds on the second PP unit? 

10. Jets:  I love Connor Hellebuyck’s positive attitude and his belief in himself and his teammates but I can’t help but wonder how he really feels about his team’s play in front of him most nights.  He is definitely a little off right now but I never doubt his ability to rebound.  As always, this Winnipeg Jets team only goes as far as Helle takes them.   

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11. NHL:  Your referees are LOL laughable.  Only NBA officiating is worse and that’s nothing to be proud of.  Their bar is set so low.  It was bad enough the Jets stunk on their 5-game homestand but they weren’t the only ones that stunk in the building.  

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • May 16 – End of the regular season
  • May ?? – 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:  Is Paul Maurice’s job in jeopardy.  Is Kevin Cheveldayoff’s job in jeopardy?

After being swept in the second round by Montreal should heads roll?

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14. Jets:  Enough already with the Andrew Copp in the top six and on the powerplay.  He is a very good third line winger and with Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton he is part of one of the very best third lines in the NHL.  (see#9)   

15. Jets:  Schedule

Update:  The May 7 game vs Ottawa has been re-scheduled to Monday, April 5.  This is due to the two postponed Vancouver games this week.

16. Jets:  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is one of my favourite Jets players and he could possibly be the team MVP but there is no way that his absence and Adam Lowry’s absence should impact this team as much as it seems it has.  Where is all this alleged depth this team has?    

17. Jets:  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: 2nd at 25.00% down from 25.20% last week.
  • PK: 2nd at 79.10 up from 81.10% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 49.90 up from 49.60% last week.

18. Jets:  I’m not big on firing coaches and GMs after a tough stretch like the Winnipeg Jets are going through right now but the warts and warning signs we’ve been seeing for the past 3 seasons are on full display right now and if this Jets team had any other goaltender than Connor Hellebuyck, Paul Maurice and Kevin Cheveldayoff might have been gone long ago.  This organisation needs somebody like a President of Hockey Operations for the coach and GM answer to and not an owner that still thinks he’s running an AHL team.  Mark Chipman is too damn loyal and doesn’t have the stones to make the hard decisions.  Getting past the first round ONCE in twelve years would have had most GMs canned years ago.  This fanbase deserves better.    

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  21-16-3 … 2.72 GAA … .912 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  6-4-0 … 2.39 GAA … .922 SV%

20. Jets:  EVERYBODY GETS INJURIES.  EVERYBODY IS DEALING WITH A TOUGH COMPRESSED SCHEDULE.  EVERYBODY IS BORED, FEELING CONFINED AND SICK OF COVID-19.  ENOUGH ALREADY.  PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON AND PLAY HOCKEY.  NO MORE EXCUSES.  

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch
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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Apr. 19

April 19, 2021 by

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 returned home from a successful (4-1) road trip this week and then stunk the joint out on Saturday night versus a well rested Edmonton Oilers team.  The good guys looked tired and slow in a 3-0 loss.  What is it about these first home games after a road trip?  The Jets are now 4 points behind Toronto for first and 3 points ahead of third place Edmonton.  They play Toronto and Edmonton twice each in their next 4 home games.  These next four games could either clear up the top of the division or muddle it up even more, we’ll see in a couple of weeks.  Their overall record currently sits at 27-15-3. 

2. NHL:  FYI:  Seattle is required to draft 14 forward, 9 defencemen, and 3 goalies according to their expansion agreement AND the Vegas Golden Knights are exempt from the expansion draft per their entry agreement.  The most any team can lose is one player.  

3. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets just finished a stretch of 22 games where 17 were on the road.  They went a very impressive 11-5-1 away from home and 13-7-2 overall in that stretch.  That is a lot of hockey in a 43 days.  The Jets now finish off their season with 9 of 12 at home.     

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose only played 1 game last week, a solid 5-1 victory over Belleville.  They start a 5-game series at home this week vs Stockton before closing out their season with seven road games in Toronto and Belleville.  Their overall record improved too .500 at 11-11-2-0.  

5. 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.  

Will Chevy or should Chevy cut a deal with Seattle GM Ron Francis so the Jets don't lose a player in the expansion draft?

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6. Jets:  I’m starting to find Kyle Connor’s defensive play or should I say lack of defensive play very tiresome and it’s even worse when he and Mark Scheifele are on the ice together.  It is a real “Catch 22” for Paul Maurice, they are very good together offensively but a gong show in the defensive end.  This is further magnified when Paul Maurice tries to match the Scheifele line vs Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, it rarely ends well for the Jets.     

7. Jets:  Adam Lowry signed a very “team friendly” five-year contract to remain in Winnipeg.  Lowry will receive $2,500,000, $3,250,000, $4,500,000, $3,25,000, and $2,500,000 over the next five seasons.  The contract has an average annual value of $3,250,000 and contains a modified (6 team) no-trade clause.  There is no doubt that Lowry could have been paid much more money if he went to market, even in this flat cap era.  Sometimes I like to make fun of the Jets “kumbaya” attitude but there is obviously a lot to be said for being happy in your workplace.        

8. Jets:  I thought Logan Stanley had his worst game of the year Saturday vs Edmonton.  It was bound to happen and I’m just waiting for the haters to pounce.

9. Jets:  Saturday night vs Edmonton was the first game I can actually say I was a little disappointed in the play of Pierre-Luc Dubois although he wasn’t alone.  The whole Jets team looked slow and tired and the well rested Oilers really made them look bad at times.  I’m not sure if anybody noticed but Paul Maurice sat PLD for the last half of the third period.  Message sent, now we’ll wait and see how he responds.

10. Jets:  With the acquisition of Jordie Benn at the trade deadline I would like to see a little more competition for play on the 3rd pairing.  I would like to see Ville Heinola, Logan Stanley, and Jordie Benn rotate in and out and you can actually add Derek Forbot to the list.  Forbort’s play is slipping and he could use an occasional night off.

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11. NHL:  There were rumours that Adam Gaudette was the Canucks player that broke protocol and started the spread of Covid throughout the team.  Based on his early exit on trade deadline day (traded to Chicago) I would say that might be a safe observation.  I would say his being traded was probably for his own protection because I’m sure there was a lineup of players that wanted to kick the crap out of him.  I’m looking forward to the first Vancouver/Chicago game next season. 

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • 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:  Last weeks poll question about Chevy and his trade deadline showed that 90% of Jets fans were fine with not trading away 1st round picks and prospects for a rental player.    

Are you ok with the Winnipeg Jets trade deadline day?

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14. NHL:  Ya, the NHL doesn’t have a goal crease problem!  This was from Thursday night this past week.   

    

15. Jets:  Schedule

Update:  The May 7 game vs Ottawa has been re-scheduled to Monday, April 5.  This is due to the two postponed Vancouver games this week.

16. Jets:  Remember the days when “Big Buff” played and Connor McDavid was a non-factor against the Jets? 

17. Jets:  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: 2nd at 26.10% up from 25.80% last week.
  • PK: 2nd at 80.30 down from 81.00% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 49.50 up from 49.10% last week.

18. Jets:  I was on the fence when Chevy signed Derek Forbort but he has been a better UFA signing than I originally expected.  I didn’t have very high expectations for him but he has played surprisingly well for the most part.  I think his play has regressed some lately but when I compare him to what we had on our blueline last season he is still an improvement.  Based on his salary ($1,000,000) and his usage, I still think he was a good signing.     

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  21-12-3 … 2.50 GAA … .919 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  6-3-0 … 2.57 GAA … .916 SV%

20. Jets:  I don’t hate the Nate Thompson signing  as much as I did the day the Jets signed him.  I was livid when Chevy first signed him but he has proved me wrong.  Thompson and Trevor Lewis along Mathieu Perreault/Jansen Harkins have been a solid 4th line.    

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 8

March 8, 2021 by

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 split two home games with Vancouver and two road games in Montreal this past week but the 7-1 ass-kicking they got in the second game versus the Habs on Saturday night was the game that got everybody’s attention.  After a an even first period it was astounding how fast that game went off the rails.  Hopefully that was a one off because it doesn’t get any easier this week with a 3-game series in Toronto.  The Jets now have an overall record of 15-8-1.

2. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu is really starting to wear on the Jets fanbase and the more Winnipeg fans bitch and complain about him, the more Paul Maurice digs his heals in.  I don’t get it and it really bothers me that Logan Stanley and Sami Niku aren’t playing anywhere.  I’ll keep saying this until I’m blue in the face that young players need to play.  It looks like neither will play unless there is an injury but we will see tomorrow night in Toronto.  Miracles do happen. 

3. Jets:  It looks like Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry have come back down to earth.  When was that last time either of them have tickled the twine?  It has been over TEN games for both of them.  In the last ten games Mason Appleton has carried that line with four goals.  If we have any hope of success in the upcoming three-game series in Toronto, the Copp/Lowry/Appleton line needs to chip in.  Giddy-up boys    

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finished their eight-game road trip with a 4-4 record and now they sit at 6-6-0-0 overall for the season.  The Moose are now at home for 17 straight games.  It’s time to make hay.   

5. Jets:  There is a lot of talk on Twitter that the Winnipeg Jets should pursue Mattias Ekholm before the NHL trade deadline.  I don’t disagree with the sentiment, I just think it’s a pipe dream.  Ekholm has good size, better than average offensive instincts, and he can play top-pairing minutes.  He has a very team-friendly $3,750,000 per year contract that runs through the 2021-22 season AND doesn’t include a no-trade clause.  What’s not to like?  The problem is he will be one of the hottest commodities in recent trade deadlines and he won’t come cheap.  I’m not getting my hopes up that we have a shot at him and I would be satisfied with a player like David Savard, Brandon Montour, or Colin Miller.  Although I don’t think the Jets have a hope in hell of acquiring Ekholm it doesn’t mean I’m not hoping they do.  I would love to eat my words here.  (see #13)

6. NHL:  Patrik Laine has gone pointless in his last six games.  Do you think he misses the Jets first unit powerplay and those sweet cross-ice saucer passes from the captain?  His supporting cast is just not the same in Columbus and I’d be shocked if he signs there long-term unless they get him some help.  BTW, after an unconscious start in Columbus, Jack Roslovic has cooled down with only five points in his last ten games.   

7. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois is now centering #81 and #27 and this line has potential to be elite.  They are not exactly off to a great start so I hope Paul Maurice leaves them together and lets them gel.  They could be scary good.     

8. Jets:  I am now officially moving Tucker Poolman to my underrated list.  I think he has played very well since returning to the lineup and I for one haven’t really given him enough props.   

9. Jets:  On Thursday night Derek Forbort set a single-game franchise record with 11 blocked shots in the win against Montreal.  The oddity about this is I thought it was one of his poorest games all season.  I guess we can give him a pass because he has been pretty good all year and we ended up winning the game.    

10. Jets:  Connor Hellebuyck has had some shitty luck with a rash of chimpy deflections beating him the last little while.  Just a thought, maybe our defenceman should stop screening him AND do a better job of moving guys in front of the net or tying-up their sticks a little better. 

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11. Jets:  Every time I feel like venting after a Jets loss, I just gather myself, look to the heavens, and thank the Lord I’m not a Buffalo Sabres fan.  What an absolute shit-show. 

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:  Factoring in the cost of acquisition, player’s contract, contract status (term), the actual chance of acquiring said player, and his impact on the roster, who should the Winnipeg Jets pursue?

Who would be your top trade deadline acquisition for the Winnipeg Jets?

View Results

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14. Jets:  Paul Stastny is like a fine wine, he just gets better with age.  He is a joy to watch and I will be shocked if the Jets don’t try and resign him for a couple of more seasons as a place-holder for Cole Perfetti.    

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  Would it be fair to say that Connor Hellebuyck has been pretty good this season but nowhere close to his Vezina form from last year?   

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 23.60% up from 23.40% last week.
  • PK: 4th at 77.10 down from 80.00% last week. 
  • FO: 6th at 48 .80 down from 49.50% last week … BRUTAL, the only center winning his share is Paul Stastny.

18. Jets:  I wonder if Paul Maurice would still find room for Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup if the Jets did indeed acquire Mattias Ekholm?  I feel a little bad piling on poor Nate because I actually don’t mind him.  It’s not his fault PoMo misuses a depth defenceman and gives him top pairing minutes.  

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  11-7-1 … 2.73 GAA … .911 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  4-1-0 … 2.57 GAA … .923 SV%

20. NHL:  RIP Walter Gretzky 

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

*

Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 8

February 8, 2021 by

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 great week taking 5 out of 6 points in their three games versus the Calgary Flames.  Their record is a tidy 7-3-1 overall for the season, good for 3rd place in the Scotia North Division.

2. Jets:  Tomorrow night is PLD’s debut in a Jets jersey against the Flames in Calgary.  I’m sure he will be chomping at the bit to impress his new teammates and try and help Jets fans move on from fan favourite, Patrik Laine.     

3. Jets:  I think it’s time to put Neal Pionk back on the first unit PP.  I’ve always been a huge Josh Morrissey supporter but his game is off and he looks really shaky quarterbacking the PP.        

4. Jets:  No offence to my American friends but I could really get used to these North Division games with only one anthem.

5. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu, at times this season has been playing some unspectacular but steady defence for the Winnipeg Jets.  Nate’s signing wasn’t my favourite move Chevy made this offseason but I get why they signed him.  Paul Maurice trusts him and likes the fact that he can kill penalties and add a little bit of physicality to the back end.  So far he has done that but he is a depth guy and doesn’t need to be in the lineup every night.  My problem with NB is the more he plays the worse he gets and I  would like to see Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg dress a little more and see more rotation in the bottom pairing.  Generally, this sorts itself out with injuries allowing some lineup changes but outside of Tucker Poolman (Covid) the back-end has been pretty healthy.  I don’t like young players on the sidelines not playing.  

6. Jets:  One of my biggest complaints about this Jets team is they don’t shoot enough and pass up too many shooting opportunities in prime scoring areas.  This team still loves looking for the pretty play.    

7. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is turning into a solid 200 ft player and it really showed in the Jets 4-1 win versus Calgary on Thursday night.  Although he was held off the scoresheet he made two outstanding defensive plays that went under the radar but were very important in the Jets’ win.  Ehlers has come a long way defensively since his junior days in Halifax.   

8. Jets:  Mason Appleton’s play has really improved this season and especially the last week to ten days and I think his play in the Jets 4-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night was probably his best game in a Winnipeg uniform.      

9. Jets:  To most fans’ surprise, Logan Stanley is still hanging around and playing some pretty strong hockey in his d-zone.  He has made a lot of nice subtle plays that seem to almost go unnoticed just because of his long reach.  His play is definitely surprising a lot of people.     

10. Jets:  Josh Morrissey has 4 assists in 11 games and he is running the first unit PP while Neal Pionk has 8 assists in 11 games and he is running the second unit PP.  What is wrong with this picture?  (see #3)

Embed from Getty Images

11. NHL:  For me, faceoff percentage is the most useless stat the NHL tracks unless they post the faceoff percentage in each zone.  All faceoff wins aren’t equal and some are definitely more important than others in spite of what the analytics say.  A neutral zone faceoff loss isn’t as critical as a d-zone loss and especially when a team is on the PK.  It seems to me like the Jets lose a high percentage of faceoffs while on the PK and are under pressure right from the get-go.             

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • 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:  Adam Lowry is off to his best start offensively in a Jets uniform with 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 games and looks bigger, faster and stronger.  The Jets are going to have a few tough decisions when figuring out the protection list for the Seattle expansion draft.       

14. NHL:  The Tkachuk family tag line.

“Pissing off opponents since 1991.”

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I actually liked the Winnipeg Jets reverse retro jerseys.  I’m not sure I want to see them every night but 3-4 times a season is fine by me.  I like them wayyyy better than their Aviator jerseys.    

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.

  • PP: 15th at 20.00% up from 19.40% last week.
  • PK: 12th at 81.30 up from 72.70% last week. 
  • FO: 18th at 49 .70 up from 49.70% last week. 

18. Jets:  I wonder where Sami Niku is now on the Jets defensive depth chart?  I like Niku but I think he is hooped now and especially with Tucker Poolman ready to return soon from his bout with Covid-19.    

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  5-2-1 … 2.48 GAA … .913 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  2-1-0 … 2.98 GAA … .918 SV%

20. Jets:  Tomorrow night we are going to see something we haven’t seen in Winnipeg since the arrival of Jets 2.0.  The Jets are going to roll out four strong lines like we’ve never seen before.  It may take a few games for them to gel but it sure looks good on paper.  Here is a look at the projected forward lines for Tuesday’s game in Calgary.

Copp-Scheifele-Ehlers

Vesalainen-Stastny-Wheeler

Connor-Dubois-Lewis

Perreault-Lowry-Appleton

I would flip Trevor Lewis and Mason Appleton but it looks like Paul Maurice doesn’t want to split up the Lowry/Appleton tandem.           

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

*

Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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