Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 17

October 17, 2022 by

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 only played one game last week and it was a surprising 4-1 win over the NYR.  The good guys have a tough week ahead of them with road games in Dallas, Colorado, and Vegas before returning home to play Toronto on Saturday night.  It will be interesting to see how they stack up against three teams that should make the playoffs this season. 

2. Jets:  After watching the Jets game on Friday night the narrative that the Jets didn’t make any changes and just brought back the same team that missed the playoffs didn’t quite ring true for me.  First off there was a wholesale change behind the bench.  The Jets have a new first line.  Adam Lowry has two wingers that he didn’t have at this time last year.  There is a completely brand-new fourth line and a new backup goaltender.  This certainly is a different team.            

3. Jets:  I thought everybody hated Blake Wheeler but isn’t it funny that he received the loudest cheers during the player introductions on Friday night?  I guess those that scream and shout the loudest on social media get heard the most BUT generally speaking are in the minority.

4. Jets:  Rick Bowness won’t be on the Jets 4-game trip as he continues to recover from COVID-19.  

5. Jets:  Are the Jets a better team with or without Blake Wheeler?

Would the Winnipeg Jets be a better team with or without their former captain?

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6. Jets: The first period versus the Rangers on Friday night was the most stylistically different hockey I’ve seen the Jets play in the past 5-6 years.  The defencemen were up and part of the rush and supported or over-lapped on the weak side causing all kinds of pressure on the Rangers’ defence.  It was very impressive, let’s hope they can keep it up.    

7. Jets: The Jets finally have a 4th line that isn’t a bunch of plugs.

8. ICE:  The Canadian Hockey League announced their Week 1 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2022-23 season.  The Winnipeg ICE are still ranked #1 in the CHL with a 7-1-0 record.  Not bad considering they haven’t played a home game yet.

Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 2

as of Oct. 12 

1. Winnipeg ICE
2. Sherbrooke Phoenix
3. Quebec Remparts
4. Seattle Thunderbirds
5. Kamloops Blazers
6. Gatineau Olympiques
7. Portland Winterhawks
8. Halifax Mooseheads
9. Mississauga Steelheads
10. Ottawa 67’s

9. Jets:  It made me very happy NOT to see PoMo’s hybrid man-on-man defensive system from the past few seasons in the Jets’ season opener.  For the most part, they played the traditional zone defence with the center down low.  It wasn’t perfect but it sure beats watching players chasing their check around the defensive zone with their back to the play.  I really only saw that one time when Logan Stanley followed his man to the top of the defensive zone.  Old habits die hard I guess.

10. Jets: Morgan Barron isn’t the greatest skater but he’s like a dog on a bone and he uses his size very well.  He’s a nice fit with Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton.

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

Are you happy with Chevy's work so far this off-season?

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12. Jets:  Important Dates:  

October 17:  First regular season road game at Dallas. 

October 22:  Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

13. Jets:  HELLE being HELLE is a beautiful thing.  Connor Hellebuyck was excellent in his first game of the season and just like most teams in the NHL, they will go as far as their goaltending takes them.  We are lucky to have one of the good ones.

14. Jets: 

How many games will backup goalie David Rittch start?

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

This is for Mark Chipman.  We can speculate on a lot of reasons why but how concerned are you that the Jets’ home opener wasn’t a sellout?

16. Jets: Dylan DeMelo and Neal Pionk served up a couple of pretty big pizzas in the second period versus the Rangers but I didn’t hear the Logan Stanley haters jumping all over them.  I’m not trying to defend Stanley, he still needs a lot of work BUT I think all players should be held to the same standard, not just the ones you don’t like.

17. Hot Take: This hot take might not be the hottest take I’ll come up with this year but I like the New York Rangers to win the Eastern Conference.

18. Jets:  Draft and develop is a hockey term you hear quite often BUT there is a good chance every player you draft and/or develop might not play for you.  A case in point is Johnathon Kovacevic, he was put on waivers so he could be reassigned to the Manitoba Moose but Montreal claimed him.  Sometimes you can’t keep everybody you draft and develop but in saying this you don’t want to lose them on waivers either.  This is on Chevy, he mismanaged an asset and lost one for nothing but that is another story. 

The Jets were catching some heat from the usual haters because they are saying the Jets are drafting but not developing.  WRONG!  If a player is good enough to play for another team, wasn’t he developed?  It’s not that Kovacevic wasn’t a good defenceman, he just wasn’t good enough for the Jets.  He was behind Dylan Samberg, Ville Heinola,  Kyle Capobianco, and possibly Declan Chisholm/Leon Gawanke on the organisational depth chart.  You can’t keep them all.

19. Jets:  Some fans and I use this term loosely just can’t give credit where credit is due.  I read on Twitter that the Jets would never have beaten the Rangers if they didn’t play the night before in Minny.  C’mon man nobody is tired 3 games into the season.    

20. Jets:  The much-maligned Logan Stanley was on the ice for the lone Rangers goal but I thought he played okay and made good decisions for the most part.  He is still a work in progress and probably will be for the rest of his career.  You can’t teach size right?

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 10

October 10, 2022 by

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 pre-season games are over now and the good guys finished with a record of 4-1-1.  I’m not sure what you can take from this outside of the obvious that it’s better than being 1-4-1.  What I took from this pre-season was that the Winnipeg Jets finally had some legitimate competition in the bottom six forwards and in the final defence pairing and jobs weren’t gifted but earned. 

2. Jets:  David Rittich’s 5-0 shutout on Wednesday versus Calgary was a very positive sign for me and it wasn’t a cheezy pre-season game where the Flames mailed it in.  Rittich was tested early and often, earning his shutout.       

3. Jets:  HOT TAKE #1 – If Ville Heinola makes the opening night roster and I think he does, I would start looking at trading Neil Pionk for a big-body, stay-at-home defenceman that can kill penalties and be a force in front of Connor Hellebuyck.  

4. Jets:  I can’t say I’m surprised—another right-handed shooting dman leaving town.  

5. Jets:  Are the Jets a better team with or without Blake Wheeler?

Would the Winnipeg Jets be a better team with or without their former captain?

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6. Jets:  I haven’t been happy with how Chevy handled his overabundance of defencemen but I also thought that Chevy did a nice job signing some decent lower-end UFAs like Saku Maenalanen and Sam Gagne.  Gagne is a former 6th overall pick that still has a very good skill set and can play on the PP and up and down the lineup when needed.  This was a very nice, sneaky signing by Chevy. 

7. Jets:  The Jets have made their decision on Brad Lambert and they want to keep him close to home where they can watch him develop at close range while having the option to recall him if warranted.  


8. ICE:  The Canadian Hockey League announced their Week 1 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2022-23 season.

Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings (Oct.5) – Week 1

1. Winnipeg ICE
2. Quebec Remparts
3. Seattle Thunderbirds
4. Sherbrooke Phoenix
5. Kamloops Blazers
6. Gatineau Olympiques
7. Guelph Storm
8. Owen Sound Attack
9. Flint Firebird
10. Portland Winterhawks

9. Jets:  Fans always get caught up in the hoopla of free agency hoping their team is in on the big names available but most of these players never live up to those contracts.  Can you imagine how ugly that $7,000,000, seven-year contract for 32-year-old Nazem Kadri will look in 2-3 years?  Don’t get me wrong, I like Kadri and I would love to see him on the Jets but not for seven years.  That’s the price of doing business in today’s NHL.  To make matters worse in his first four years he has a full no-movement clause and in the final three years, he has a thirteen-team no-trade list.     

10. Moose:  As per the recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program,  goaltender Mikhail Berdin, will not remain with the club for the 2022-23 National Hockey League season and the rights of the club and player will be treated like a suspended player.  Berdin will not be paid by the Jets club and his salary will not count against the salary cap.  Berdin will be permitted to sign a one-year contract to play outside of North America for the 2022-23 season.  I’m guessing with the turmoil going on in Russia he wanted to be closer to his family.  We wish the “Birdman” well.

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

Are you happy with Chevy's work so far this off-season?

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12. Jets:  Important Dates:  

October 14:  First regular season home game vs NYR.

October 17:  First regular season road game at Dallas.

13. ICE:  Hometown boy Carson Lambos has been named the Captain of the Winnipeg ICE.  The 19-year-old was selected by Minnesota in the first round, 26th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.

14. Jets: 

How many games will backup goalie David Rittch start?

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15. Jets: 

 Mitch Kasprick Oct.3

I have been a supporter of Jansen Harkins for quite some time but my patience with him is wearing thin.  It is time to shit or get off the pot and do something.  I see a lot of competition for that 3rd-line LW position.  TICK-TOCK.    

16. Jets:  After reassigning Jansen Harkins, the Winnipeg Jets are left with 24 players in camp and need to cut one more by Tuesday.

FYI:  Hark cleared waiver and will report to the Manitoba Moose.

Projected lines:

Connor – Scheifele – Ehlers

Perfetti – Dubois – Wheeler

Barron*/Maenalanen* – Lowry – Appleton

Barron*/Maenalanen*/Toninato – Gustafsson – Gagne

Projected pairings:

Morrissey – DeMelo

Dillon – Pionk

Schmidt – Heinola*

Samberg* – Stanley

Capobianco

Goal:

Hellebuyck

Rittich

*Waiver exempt

UPDATE:  

Axel Jonsson-Fjällby was a fifth round pick of the Washinton Capitals in 2016.  He made his NHL debut last season after scoring 34 points in 44 games with the Hershey Bears.  Jets now have 25 players in camp.

UPDATE:  It looks like Ville Heinola is a victim of his waiver exempt status and has been sent to the Manitoba Moose. 

UPDATE:  The final move for now is Mason Appleton to the IR which gets the roster down to 23.

17. Jets:  I don’t know if they knew we were listening but kudos to the radio play-by-play voices of the Calgary Flames, Derek Wills and Peter Loubardias on their call of the Jets/Flames simulcast on the Jets website Friday night.  They were very objective, knowledgeable about the Jets, and at times very complimentary of our team.  Now that I think of it, they had to know we were listening.  Either way, it was a good call by them.  Big thumbs up.  

18. Jets:  I like the overall makeup of this Jets team as it stands right now but I am a little concerned about the lack of size on our back end.  There is lots of compete back there but not a lot of strength.  I don’t count Logan Stanley because I don’t think he will be a top-6 defenceman so we are very small on the blue line and easily get out-muscled in front of Helle.

19. Jets:  So far the early returns on Rick Bowness have been positive but now the real shootin’ starts and all bets are off.  In a results-driven business, it usually comes down to, “what have you done for me lately?”   

20. Jets: HOT TAKE #2 –  I think Barry Trotz likes this Jets roster and wanted a chance to work with this core group along with some of the upcoming prospects and that’s why Chevy didn’t make wholesale changes.  At some point, I think Barry Trotz is still going to be the coach of this team.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone.

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Sept. 26

September 26, 2022 by

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?

Would the Winnipeg Jets be a better team with or without their former captain?

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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.

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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?  

Are you happy with Chevy's work so far this off-season?

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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: 

How many games will backup goalie David Rittch start?

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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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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Sept. 5

September 5, 2022 by

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.

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this but I would like to send out my condolences to the family and friends of Scott Campbell.  Scott was a Winnipeg Jets 1.0 fan favourite and Twitter legend.  Scott always took time to chat with his many followers and really made their days.  It’s not often an NHL player interacts with a fan base like Scott did.  Scott was a Winnipeg Jet until the day he passed away and he loved the Jets and their fans.  I got to know Scott on a personal basis and he was a very modest, fun guy.  Scott spent some time writing here at WHT and had quite a following.  It seems the good ones leave us too soon and Scott was definitely one of the good ones, he will be missed.  I will always be proud to say you were my friend.  RIP big guy. 

 

 

1. Jets:  Well it’s September so it’s back to work.  If Chevy can take August off why can’t I?  If it’s good enough for Chevy it’s good enough for me.  

2. Jets:   The only major announcement I really missed was the Jets and Mason Appleton avoiding arbitration and agreeing on a contract extension.  Appleton’s contract is a three-year deal with an average annual value of $2,166,667.  Wrapping up Appleton for 3 more years was a solid move, he complements Adam Lowry nicely on the 3rd line.

3. WJC:  While I was away Team Canada won the World Junior Championship in an exciting Gold Medal game but for me, it was a hollow victory with Russia not there and some of the best juniors in the world not available.  Also, the WJHC being played in the summer completely lacked the allure of the tournament over the Christmas holidays.  That being said, a win is a win and I’m not going to complain.

4. Jets:  Last week the Jets made their first semi-meaningful free agent signing of the off-season inking Sam Gagner to a one-year deal.  I don’t mind this signing, at least he’s not the usual unskilled plug Chevy likes signing.  Gagne has a skill set that can be used up and down the lineup and even though this isn’t a blockbuster signing it does move the needle slightly in the right direction.

5. Jets:  Fans are wondering who will be in the Jets’ top 6 forwards.  I think Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers play together and Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor play together with Blake Wheeler and Cole Perfetti on the wings.  Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new head coach, Rick Bowness get the blender out with all six of these forwards. 

6. Jets: Speaking of the 3rd line, I wonder who gets the LW job playing alongside Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton?  Will it be Jansen Harkins finally claiming a regular spot?  Could it be Morgan Barron who had a decent finish with the jets last season or could it be the newly acquired Sam Gagner?  We will know soon enough.  

7. IIHF:  Speaking of summer hockey tournaments, the Women’s World Hockey Championships concluded this past weekend with a close Gold Medal game with Canada winning 2-1.  But, once again it lacked the allure of winter hockey.  It will be nice to see everything finally get back on schedule again.  

8. Jets:  Whether it is baseball, basketball, football, or hockey, preseason is a time for optimism but there seems to be a lot of pessimism in Winnipeg and I’m not sure that should be the case.  No, they didn’t make any big acquisitions and it seems like it’s the status quote again BUT the biggest change is behind the bench and this could be the most significant change of all.  Before I make any judgements I want to see what Rick Bowness does with this group.   

9. Jets:  On paper, it looks like the Jets should have an improved 4th line with David Gustaffson (if he can stay off the IR), Jansen Harkins, Morgan Barron, Sam Gagne, and Dominic Toninato filling out the bottom 6.  

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

Everyone in the free world knows you’re carrying too many NHL-ready defencemen and you are probably going to move 1 or 2 but isn’t it tough to move guys so close to the start of the season?  It’s probably okay if they don’t live here full time but it does lead to a lot of scrambling just before the season starts for the players and their families.  Conversely, it is pro hockey and part of the business so boo hoo.  Forget about it, I retract the question.

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

Are you happy with Chevy's work so far this off-season?

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12. Important Dates:  

September 16-19:   Young Stars Classic in Penticton, BC. 

Game 1:   Winnipeg vs Edmonton Fri, Sept. 16 4:00pm PT
Game 2:  Calgary vs Vancouver Fri, Sept. 16 7:30pm PT
Game 3:  Calgary vs Edmonton Sat, Sept. 17 7:30pm PT
Game 4:  Vancouver vs Winnipeg Sun, Sept. 18 2:00pm PT
Game 5:  Winnipeg vs Calgary Mon, Sept. 19 11:00am PT
Game 6:  Vancouver vs Edmonton Mon, Sept. 19 2:30pm PT

September 24:  Winnipeg Jets Fanfest.

13. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets signed David Gustafsson to a two-year contract with an average annual value in the NHL of $775,000.  This deal is a two-way contract for the 2022-23 season and a one-way contract for 2023-24.  Interesting, I guess the Jets didn’t want Gus to think they were gifting him a job this winter even though everybody knows his Manitoba Moose days a 99% over.

14. Jets: This Winnipeg Jets team has good players and hopefully with a change in coaching philosophy, accountability,  and players having a greater commitment to team defence they can make 2021-22 seem like just a bad memory.  (see #8)  

15. Jets:  Connor Hellebuyck will be the first to admit last season wasn’t his best but I’d never count out a team with a motivated and committed HELLE.  He was inconsistent and not his usual self last year but this off-season his summer regime won’t be interrupted by Covid cutting into his training time.  

16. Jets:  Everything about 2021-22 was a clusterf**k and this season will be the first time since Covid interrupted our lives that there will be some normalcy.  I remain optimistic and still like this Jets team.  It sure beats being miserable and negative.  To the nay-sayers, I say give them a chance you might be pleasantly surprised.  (see # 8 and 15)

17. Jets:  By the way, I don’t think Barry Trotz is out of the Jet’s future plans yet.  It’s just a hunch based on absolutely nothing.

18. Jets:  In an interesting off-ice move, TNSE hired long-time TSN football and hockey personality Sara Orlesky to the Jets family.  Sarah’s title will be Sr. Host/Producer.  Orlesky will provide behind-the-scenes features and player interviews for Jets broadcasts and Jets TV.  Solid hire as everybody loves Sarah.

19. Jets:  Last time I checked the Jets had 10 defencemen under contract with eyes on the NHL roster.  Pitter-Patter Chevy.  (see #10)

20. Jets:  If you’re driving west on Roblin Blvd close to the perimeter look up at the 4th-floor balcony of the condos just to the south of the Shoppers Drug Mart, you’ll see a red maple leaf on the balcony wall and there’s a good chance I’ll be sitting there, honk and wave.

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 25

July 25, 2022 by

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 Pierre-Luc Dubois drama is settled for the time being as he accepted the Jets qualifying offer of $6,000,000 although it still doesn’t settle the big picture.  It will be very interesting and probably be very frustrating watching this play out.      [Read more…]

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