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. NHL: Our first Covid hiccup happened last week with the Dallas Stars having six players and two staff members being placed into quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. Lets hope this is just a blip and doesn’t become a talking point every week. Since the time I first wrote this, Columbus, Pittsburg, and Vancouver all have cancelled practices. OH BOY!
2. NHL: The NHL (Bill Daly) stated that the advertising on the players’ helmets could be around for a while and based on the economic climate it could be around for a few years. Once the NHL owners get a taste of this new revenue I can’t see them giving it up.
3. Moose: The Manitoba Moose have opted-in to play the 2020-21 season and will play in the Canadian Division along with the Belleville Senators, Laval Rocket, and the Toronto Marlies.
4. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose have been cleared to play their home games in the local barn and before everybody gets their shit in a knot because little Johnnie can’t play but the big bad professionals can it really isn’t the same thing. The pros can afford to follow the strict protocols and testing set forth by the NHL where other leagues and organisations can’t. Yes, I guess, in this case, money does talk.
5. Jets: All is quiet on the Jack Roslovic front. I wonder how much interest there is around the league and what type of offers Chevy is getting. If I had to guess it is probably middling draft picks.
FYI: Jack Roslovic (RFA) has until Feb. 11 to sign with the Winnipeg Jets or another team, if the Jets trade him, or he becomes ineligible to play this season.
6. Jets: Does anybody out there actually think Tucker Poolman can handle the responsibility, minutes, and tougher opposition that playing alongside Josh Morrissey demands. I liked Poolman’s play during the play-in round this summer but this is a mighty big ask of him.
7. Jets: I wonder how long Paul Maurice stays with his new lines and the defence pairings that he is trying out during training camp? I’m sure he has the blender on speed dial.
8. Jets: I am very very interested to see if and/or how much influence Winnipeg Jets’ new assistant coach, Dave Lowry has on this group of Jets forwards. If the forwards can learn to be better defensively without sacrificing their offence this team could take a lot of pressure off their defencemen and especially Helle. Fingers crossed.
9. Jets: For this season the number of games for an Entry Level Contract to be activated is now seven (pro-rated) instead of the usual ten games. If a player plays in a seventh game his contract officially kicks in.
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10. Jets: Why didn’t Chevy bring in a veteran goalie on a PTO as insurance for Helle and Brossoit. The thought of Eric Comrie having to play leaves me sleepless at nights and Mikhail “birdman” Berdin is not quite ready yet.
UPDATE:
Eric Comrie was claimed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils and Luca Sbisa was claimed by the Nashville Predators.
11. Jets: I would have loved to have seen a whole season of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo playing together. (see #7)
12. NHL: Key dates.
- Jan. 13 – Season opener
- 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. NHL: I’m not sure having fans in the stands in some of the American rinks is a smart idea. I wouldn’t want to be indoors with anybody and especially in states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, or California, hell any State. What’s the rush?
14. Jets: So far the early returns on Trevor Lewis have been positive. I wasn’t a fan of this potential signing and we still don’t know if he is being offered a contract but it never hurts to have players with a Stanley Cup winning pedigree no matter what their role in the win was.
15. Jets: Schedule
In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.
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Thanks, Mitch
