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 lost their preseason opener 4-0 in Edmonton last night and it was your typical ugly first game of the preseason with a bunch of wannabees who have no hope in hell of playing in the NHL.  The sad part about that game wasn’t the score but that fans had to pay money to watch it.  FUGLY.  

2. Jets:  There is so much debate about Blake Wheeler in Jetsville so let’s cut to the chase and ask the question.  If you factor in salary, age, and rumours about his leadership, are the Jets a better team with or without Blake Wheeler?

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3. Jets:  Don’t get me wrong I like Jonathon Kovacevic, Declan Chisholm, and Leon Gawanke but I’m not going to lose 30 seconds of sleep if we lose any of them on waivers.  Chevy knew this was a possibility but yet he still hasn’t thinned the herd and risks losing assets.  I’m tired of obsessing about his management decisions.    

4. Jets:  If I were the coach of a new hockey team I would forget about the scrubs that have no chance of making the big club and play the bubble players and the veterans more in preseason games. (see #1)

5. Jets:  If we all agree that Dominic Toninato is the Jets’ 12th forward and if he makes the opening night roster, has the team improved their forwards?

6. Jets:  A  player that intrigues me is Dmitry Kuzmin.  The Jets 3rd rounder in 2021 put up 44 points in 57 games with the OHL’S Flint Firebirds, including 18 goals.  Not bad for his first season in North America.  Smallish at 5’10 this Belarussian defenceman is a player to keep an eye on. 

7. Jets:  There now seems to be a question of whether 2022 1st round, 30th overall forward Brad Lambert is better off being with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose or the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds.  For me, it’s a no-brainer.  It is his first year playing in North America and he’s better off getting lots of icetime and PP time in junior.  I don’t see what the rush is.

8. Jets:  My weekly question for Kevin Cheveldayoff, Mark Chipman, or Rick Bowness.

Are you planning on riding Connor Hellebuyck hard again this season?

9. Jets:  For the record, I think the Jets are a better team with Blake Wheeler.  Say what you want or think what you want but where are his 60 points (minimum) going to come from?

10. Jets:  I like Big Stan but he struggled a bit vs the Oilers on Sunday night, he seemed to have trouble getting his feet moving at times.  Hopefully, this improves as camp goes on but in my opinion he is in tough making the Jets opening night 23-man roster unless Chevy starts moving some defencemen.  You can only have 3 guys in the press box on the popcorn brigade. 

11. Jets:  What do you think of Chevy’s work this offseason?  

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12. Jets:  Important Dates:  

September 27:  Home preseason game #1 vs Ottawa.

October 1:  Home preseason game #2 vs Edmonton.

October 5:  Home preseason game #3 vs Calgary.

13. Jets:  FYI: It’s hard evaluating players in the preseason but I liked the way Declan Chisholm moved the puck last night. 

14. Jets: 

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15. Jets:  You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m not a fan of Dominic Toninato.  I admit he works hard but I would rather see players like Morgan Barron, Kristian Reichel, or Jeff Malott get a chance in the #12 spot.  (see #5)

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