Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Aug. 30

August 30, 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:  It was very quiet in Jetsville this week but Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers was been busy playing for Denmark in the final Olympic Hockey Qualifying Tournament.  Denmark went 3-0 in their group after defeated Norway 2-0  yesterday and have qualified for the 2022 Olympic Games.  Ehlers scored the clinching goal in the third period to cement the win.  Nik had 5 goals and four assists for nine points in the tournament. 

2. NHL:  It looks like the Carolina Hurricanes are trying to get a little revenge on the Montreal Canadiens by offer sheeting Jesperi Kotkaniemi.  This is definitely payback for the Sebastian Aho offer sheet from two summers ago.  I’m not sure the Habs match this offer and just take the 1st and 3rd round picks as compensation.  The offer sheet is 1 year for $6.100,000.  The Habs have seven days to match the offer.  Stay tuned.

3. Team Canada:  I realize that it was just a preliminary round game and that these rosters are still in transition but I don’t ever remember the Canadian women dominating Team USA like they did this past week in their 5-1 victory.  The Americans looked slow and disorganized but I’m not buying it.  I’m really looking forward to seeing them play again when the real shooting starts this week.

UPDATE:

Team Canada and Team USA both won their semi-final games on Monday and will now face each other Tuesday night for the GOLD MEDAL.

4. Jets:  With the focus now off the Jets blueline I look at the forwards and see opportunities for Jansen Harkins, Kristian Vesalainen and David Gustafsson.  It is time for these kids to claim their spots in the lineup.  Tick-tock. 

5. NHL:  The NHL sent a memo updating vaccination requirements to its teams:

“Any person whose job, role, position or access entails or entitles them to have personal interactions (within 12 feet) with Club Hockey Operations personnel (including Players) are required to be Fully Vaccinated.”  

The first thought that came to mind was why is everybody involved with the teams required to be vaccinated with the exception of the players?  This makes ZERO sense to me.  Then this got me wondering if I would want to know which players on my team weren’t vaccinated and how I would feel about them if I knew? 

Would you want to know the vaccination status of your favourite teams players and would it change how you feel about them?

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6. Jets:  Manitoba Moose forward Marko Dano has also been busy this off-season trying to help Slovakia qualify for the Olympics.  Slovakia won their group and are now qualified for the 2022 Olympic Games.  Dano’s status for this upcoming season is unknown but I hope he is back with the Moose.    

7. Team Canada:  Marie-Philip Poulin was injured Tuesday while blocking a shot to her upper chest/neck area while killing a penalty versus Switzerland.  I would like somebody to explain to me what the hell Marie-Philip Poulin was doing on the ice killing a penalty in a 5-0 game in the third period?  

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8. Jets:  It’s about a month to training camp boys and girls and I wonder what the protocols will be to watch the Jets at the Bell MTS Iceplex?     

9. NHL:  If you think about the Kotkaniemi offer sheet, he really gave a big middle finger to the Habs organisation by signing a one-year deal.  They have seven days to match it or take the compensation of a 1st and 3rd pick.  I wouldn’t match it, he’s not worth $6,100,000 and to make matters worse whoever ends up getting him has to qualify him at this amount next off-season.  That’s insanity.  If I’m Marc Bergevin I wait right until the last minute before telling Jesperi to stick it. 

10. Jets:  Going into camp most Winnipeg Jets fans think this is the biggest talking point.

Will Eric Comrie last the seaon as Jets back-up goalie?

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11. NHL:  Back to the Kotkaniemi signing, the Hurricanes may have inadvertantly screwed themselves.  The Canes have to sign Martin Necas to a new deal next season and their camp must be licking their lips looking at the Kotkaniemi offer.  Maybe Marc Bergevin will keep it interesting and offer-sheet Necas this off-season.  Fun times.

12. Jets:  Upcoming events.

Sept. 26 – First pre-season game vs Ottawa.

Oct. 13 – First regular-season game at Anaheim.

Oct. 21 – Home opener vs Anaheim.

13. NHL:  The biggest buzzword I hear when talking about player salaries is “comparables” and in my opinion, a lot of the comparables player agents and media members use don’t always match up.  There are many things that factor into comparables like even strength points, PP points, match-ups, icetime etc etc plus you need to factor in market adjustments like cost of living and taxes.  Comparing salaries in different markets is tough.  I’m not sure who came up with full salary exposure but it has been the NHLPA’s best friend.      

14. IIHF:  Just an FYI here for those of you that didn’t know but Nik Ehlers dad, Heinz, is the head coach of Team Denmark.

15. CFL:  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers record improved to 3-1 after defeating Calgary 18-16 Sunday night at IG Field.  Andrew Harris scored the Bombers’ only touchdown and looked pretty good in his first game in what seems like an eternity.  The bad news is the secondary was exposed again and is definitely the weak link on this team.  Kicker Marc Liegghio had a strong game although he missed a convert and missed his attempt at the game winning field goal but caught a break when the Bombers were penalized for a time count violation.  After moving back 10 yards he split the uprights right down the middle from 45 yards.  Final thought, the Bombers 3-1 record might be fools gold and Richie Hall will need a better game plan on defence or Cody Fajardo will have a field day the next two weeks.  I have a feeling the LDC is going to be ugly.          

 

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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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Aug. 9

August 9, 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 arbitration hearing dates have been set for pending RFAs.  Neal Pionk’s date set for Aug. 13 and Andrew Copp’s is set for Aug. 26.

Now with Neal Pionk's and Andrew Copp's arbitration dates being set what do you think will happen?

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2. NHL:  I’m always surprised how Kurt Overhardt gets hated on in Jets chatrooms and on social media.  He is a player agent just doing his job.  The key word is player, hockey fans need to realize that he works for his clients and not the teams or fans of those teams.  If I were a player I’d love to have him as my agent.  

3. Jets:  Does anyody actually think that Eric Comrie will last the season as Connor Hellebuyck’s back-up in goal?

Will Eric Comrie last the seaon as Jets back-up goalie?

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4. Jets:  I really hope that Kristian Vesalainen gets more opputunities in offensive situations this season.  I would love to see him on the 2nd unit PP playing the right half wall teeing up his wicked one-timer.  Ves has a very good shot and the Jets need to make use of it. 

5. Jets:  I’m so tired of some of our mainstream media in Winnipeg pumping Andrew Copp’s tires as being a top 6 forward.  He is a very good third line winger that can kill penalties and in a pinch move up in the lineup.  In a pinch and that is it.  Andrew Copp is NOT a top 6 forward on a good NHL team and he will never be one on this Winnipeg Jets team.  Average fans will tend to believe this narrative so PLEASE STOP.  As for Andrew Copp himself, I like that he wants more responsibilty but if he wants to be paid and play as a top 6 forward he better ask for a trade to Arizona or Detroit.

6. Jets:  RFA defenceman Logan Stanley has re-upped for two more years in Winnipeg for $900,000 per season.  Stanley was last season’s biggest surprize and has become a fan favourite in his short time with the big club.  

7. Jets:  Speaking of the Jets powerplay I would like to see the following 10 players on our powerplay units.

1st unit:

Mark Scheifele … Paul Stastny … Blake Wheeler

Nikolaj Ehlers … Neal Pionk

2nd unit:

Kyle Connor … Pierre-Luc Dubois … Kristian Vesalainen

Josh Morrissey … Nate Schmidt 

Of course there are a couple guys the can flip-flop and a few different configurations in structuring both units but it is time that Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is on the #1 unit.  Also, if Cole Perfetti makes the team he is a definate canditate for the 2nd unit.

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8. Jets:  I’m really looking forward to watching our improved defence corp this upcoming season but if Paul Maurice doesn’t change their defensive system it might not matter how much they have improved on paper.  You can’t have players following/chasing their checks all over the defensive zone.  Brenden Dillon can’t be tough in front of the Jets net if he is following his check to the blueline in Maurice’s ridiculous man on man hydrid system.   

9. NHL:  Who just gets a Vezina Trophy winner for nothing?  

10. Jets:  Just in case you forgot, we SWEPT the Oilers.   

11. IIHF:  Congrats to Manitoba’s contribition to Team Canada for the upcoming Women’s World Hockey Championship later this month in Calgary.  Veteran Jocelyne Larocque (defence) from Ste. Anne will be joined by first-timers Ashton Bell (defence) from Deloraine and Kristen Campbell (goaltender) from Brandon on our women’s hockey team.  Canada will be joined by nine other countries in this 10-team tournament.  Good luck girls. 

12. IIHF:  The 2022 Winter Olympics are only 6 months away and there is still no agreement between the NHL and the IOC.  As they say on Letterkenny, pitter-patter.   

13. NHL:  I’ve often wondered why more players don’t negotiate their own contracts?  I can see new players coming into the league needing a good agent but veteran players like OV who just negotiated his own don’t need one. 

14. Random: This is the week that I go through severe Olympic Games withdrawl.  I love watching and pulling for our Canadian athletes.  There is nothing better than watching our athletes achievements whether they win a medal or not.   

15. CFL:  On a non-hockey note it was unbelievable to see all the fans enjoying themselves at IG Field on Thursday night at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game.  I wasn’t there but I was very happy for the fans that were.  

 

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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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 19

July 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 have released their protected list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft on Wednesday night.  Discuss amongst yourselves. 

Forwards:

  • Blake Wheeler
  • Mark Scheifele
  • Kyle Connor
  • Nikolaj Ehlers
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois
  • Andrew Copp
  • Adam Lowry

Defencemen:

  • Josh Morrissey
  • Neal Pionk
  • Logan Stanley

Goalie:

  • Connor Hellebuyck

POLL QUESTION:

WHO WILL THE SEATTLE KRAKEN SELECT FROM THE WINNIPEG JETS?

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2. Jets:  Until Seattle actually drafts on Wednesday we will not know who we will lose and what type of side deal (if any) was in place, so why are people freaking out?    

Poll Question:  Should or did Kevin Cheveldayoff 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. 

FYI:  If the Jets don’t cut this deal with Vegas they might have taken Nick Suzuki instead of trading down and getting Kristian Vesalainen.  It’s too early to call this deal but the early returns certainly favour Suzuki. 

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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3. Jets:  After looking at the other protection lists I’m betting that Seattle selects Mason Appleton from the Jets.     

4. NHL:  FYI – Offer Sheet (AAV) Compensation:

  • $1,395,053 or below: None
  • Over $1,395,053 to $2,113,716: 3rd round pick
  • Over $2,113,716 to $4,227,437: 2nd round pick
  • Over $4,227,437 to $6,341,152: 1st, 3rd round picks
  • Over $6,341,152 to $8,454,871: 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
  • Over $8,454,871 to $10,568,589: (2) 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
  • Over $10,568,589: (4) 1st round picks

5. Jets:  Gary Suter was bought out by the Minnesota Wild and if I’m Chevy I’m all over him.  At 36-years-old he still has lots of hockey left in him.  He is a much better option than Derek Forbort or Tucker Poolman in my opinion.  It has been reported that he doesn’t want to play in Canada but maybe the Minnesota Mafia on the Jets roster can convince him.     

6. NHL:  Reports are that pending UFA Phillip Danault is looking for north of 5 mil a year for six years.  Any GM that gives Phillip Danault $5,000,000 for six years should be INSTANTLY fired.  Now in saying that most GMs would have to run a deal like that somewhere up the food chain and the person approving that deal should be fired too and if that somebody is the owner he shouldn’t be involved in hockey decisions. 

7. Jets:  Jets fans obsessing about losing a player in the expansion draft is like watching a bad reality show.  We’re not losing KC or Scheif or Nik or PLD or Helle so relax for crying out loud.  Take a deep breath.

8. Jets:  I was wondering about this at the time.  

9. NHL:  In case you were wondering.  This is what the Seattle Kraken’s minimum requirements are for Wednesday night’s expansion draft.

  • The Kraken must select at least 20 players under contract for next season.
  • The contracts for these 20 players must be at least $48,900,000.

10. Jets:  Although I like Dylan DeMelo, Mason Appleton, and Logan Stanley I lived through losing Anders Hedberg, and Ulf Nilsson, then Rich Preston, Terry Ruskowsi, Paul MacKinnon, Kent Nilsson etc, and then a whole NHL team moving to Phoenix  so I’m not going to lose ONE MOMENT of sleep losing one of these guys to Seattle

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11. Jets:  I hope the Winnipeg Jets don’t turn good prospects like Ville Heinola, Dylan Samberg, or David Gustafsson into diminishing assets like they did with Sami Niku and Jack Roslovic.  Prospect currency is valuable so you need to make decisions on them while they still have value.  Chevy has waited to long with Sami Niku and he sold low with Jack Roslovic.  Based on Paul Maurice’s season ending presser it looks like there is no way Ville Heinola, Logan Stanley, or Dylan Samberg will all be in the NHL together any time soon.  I hope we don’t end up giving one or two of them away for squat. 

12. NHL:  Key dates.  Times a MB time.

  • July 17:  NHL teams must submit expansion lists to NHL by 4 pm. 
  • July 17:  Trade freeze begins at 2 PM.
  • July 18:  NHL will deliver expansion lists by 9 am, likely made public around that time.
  • July 18:  Seattle can begin “interviewing” impending UFA/RFA’s from teams at this time.
  • July 21:  Seattle must submit it draft selections to the NHL by 9 am.
  • July 21:  2021 NHL Expansion Draft at 7 pm. 
  • July 22:  Trade freeze is lifted at noon.
  • July 23:  Round 1 of the 2021 NHL Draft at 7 pm. 
  • July 24:  Rounds 2-7 of the 2021 NHL Draft at 10 pm.
  • July 27:  Qualifying offers due to restricted free agents.
  • July 28:  Free agency opens at 11 am.

13. Jets:  Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?

After the first round sweep of Edmonton it looked like Pomo and Chevy were safe.

After being swept in the second by Montreal, Pomo and Chevy are back under the microscope. 

Now Chevy and Pomo are both under scrutiny for the Seattle expansion protection list. 

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

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14. NHL:  Ex Winnipeg Jets star, Patrik Laine was at it again in a Finnish newspaper last week >>> HERE.

I love Patrik but it looks like he has failed to grasp the concept that when he blabs to the Finnish media it actually finds it way back here in North America.  He was blaming Torts for his poor season but maybe he should look in the mirror and stop blaming everybody else for his play.  He had a run-in with one of his junior coaches, he complained about his usage in Winnipeg and kind of threw a fine hockey player like Bryan Little under the bus, he had an incident with assistant coach Brad Larsen (now the head coach) on the bench last season, and finally had his say about John Tortorella in a Finnish newspaper last week.  I’m still a huge fan of Patrik Laine but I think it is time for him to SHUT HIS MOUTH and GROW UP.  

15. Jets:  Listening to outsiders that talk about the Winnipeg Jets just shows me how little they watch us play.  The takes on our roster are hilarious.  They overrate some of our players while underrating others even more than we do.  One fairly well know outsider that I would consider an “A list” mainstream media member actually said Kyle Conner was a defensively responsible winger.  I’ll just leave it at that.

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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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: July 5

July 5, 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:  After more off-season reflection on the Winnipeg Jets I think our fanbase and some of our media may have overrated the depth and makeup of the team’s roster.  It has been said many times in different places that if and when the Jets become legitimate SC contenders that Adam Lowry would be our 4th line center.  If we were being honest, the truth of the matter is this team had TWO 4th lines and that’s why we lost to Montreal.  I really like Adam Lowry’s line but I would consider them more of a shutdown line that chips in the odd goal here and there.  You can blame our blueline all you want but the Jets lost ONE skilled player (Mark Scheifele) and the Jets offence disappeared or shrunk like a frightened turtle  ………. cue George Costanza’s #SHRINKAGE

2. Jets:  The Seattle Kraken expansion draft protection lists are tentatively due in less than 2 weeks and Chevy is now under the microscope.  What will he and the Winnipeg Jets do?

Poll Question:  Should Kevin Cheveldayoff 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. 

FYI:  If the Jets don’t cut this deal with Vegas they might have taken Nick Suzuki instead of trading down and getting Kristian Vesalainen.  It’s too early to call this deal but the early returns certainly favour Suzuki. 

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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3. Jets:  Please Chevy, don’t overpay Andrew Copp.  Even though Copp had a good season and he is a fan fave, he is still a bottom six winger in my opinion and overpaying 3rd and 4th liner players is a recipe for disaster. 

4. NHL:  I’m a cynical person by nature so I couldn’t help but think the Jonathon Toews announcement about him having Covid-19 came at a time when the microscope is clearly on the Blackhawk organisation for all the wrong reasons.  Was Toews doing the organisation a favour by deflecting attention from the stories of sexual abuse within the Hawks organisation in 2010?  The timing sure seems fishy.        

5. Jets:  I wonder if the Jets will start their transition over to Mikhail Berdin next season or wait one more year for him?  He is only 23-years-old so there is no rush.  

6. NHL:  Habs fans dumping on Carey Price is laughable.  How do they think they got to the SC Final?  Talk about short memories.    

7. Jets:  I would like to see the Jets move Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers to the top line right from the get-go this upcoming season.  It is time for the team’s best winger to play with the teams best center.    

8. Jets:  Anybody else concerned about the size on the Jets back-end for next season?  I would be shocked if Ville Heinola isn’t a regular in the line-up but that only makes the size back there even smaller.  Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, and Neal Pionk are all listed at 6 feet but if you believe that you probably believe in the tooth fairy.  

9. NHL:  I bet this SC Final will have lowest tv ratings in decades and it isn’t because of the Montreal Canadiens.  I think a lot of hockey fans were turned off by Tampa’s salary cap manipulation.  I watched some of the SC Final but I also watched just as much basketball and baseball.  The only reason I tuned in was to see how my bets and fantasy players were doing.      

10. Jets:  The sooner the Winnipeg Jets commit to having 3 offensive/skilled lines the faster they will be able to contend.  Maybe that means committing to Cole Perfetti for next season.  (see #1) 

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11. Jets:  Anybody else getting  tired of seeing Charlie Huddy’s face behind the Jets bench?

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • 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:  Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?

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

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14. NHL:  Why wouldn’t Jonathon Toews have spoken up sooner about having Covid-19?  His words could have carried a lot of weight in convincing people to get vaccinated.  If Covid-19 can keep an elite athlete like Toews sidelined for as long as it did it is definitely something to be concerned about and shared.  (see#4)

15. Jets:  It is going to be a hectic 3 weeks coming up for the Jets brass but the biggest day for the fans will be on July 28 when free agency opens.  We will find out how serious this franchise is about upgrading the defensive corp.     

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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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: June 14

June 14, 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 season came to a crashing halt and it was very disappointing but that 7-8 day stretch in between the first and second round was a glorious time.  Over a week to revel and gloat in the satisfaction of sweeping the hated Edmonton Oilers and exorcising the demons from previous playoff failures.  Man, that felt good and to be honest it made my season.  

2. Jets:  After a week to decompress and evaluate the Winnipeg Jets roller coaster season one thing remains clear, I have no idea where this team is heading.  The only conclusion I have come to is Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Nik Ehlers are the only untouchables on this team.  They rest of the team is up for debate. 

3. Jets:  Is it possible that Jets fans, media, players, coaches, management, and ownership have really overrated what we have with this team?  Where was the perceived depth?  We were missing ONE forward and folded like a cheap suit.  Where was “Mr. I think I’m a top six forward”,  Andrew Copp?  Where was Mason Appleton?  Where was Kyle Connor?  Where was Pierre-Luc Dubois?  You see where I’m going with this?  Our skill seemed to disappear and didn’t seem to be ready to compete versus Montreal.  Our regular season skill did not transfer to the playoffs and that is concerning.    

4. Jets: How do I say this without coming across as a complete a-hole?  I love Mark Chipman but is he qualified enough to make the Winnipeg Jets’ major hockey decisions.  Who advises him?  

5. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have a lot of good pieces but the game seems to be evolving again and going back to heavier games in the playoffs with a lot more clutching, grabbing, and interference.  Maybe this teams current make-up might need to be tweaked.  Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Ben Chiarot, and Joel Edmundson dominated the Jets forwards.  All big and strong with decent mobility.  Montreal’s bigger forwards and even their smaller, grittier forwards over-matched the Jets defenders in the blue paint.  We were out-muscled and out-worked at both ends of the ice. 

6. Jets:  Watching some of the other playoff series around the NHL just showed me how the other divisions were playing chess while the Scotia Bank Canadian Division was playing checkers.  

7. Jets:  Paul Maurice has one more year left on his contract at $3,000,000 and a club option for an additional year.  In a season with no fans in the stands and not much of a revenue stream did anybody think TNSE was going to actually fire Paul Maurice and pay him $3,000,000 to be a TSN panelist again?   

8. Jets:  Is Connor Hellebuyck delusional or just extremely confident?

  “We’re very close to being able to make runs and being a dynasty”

9. Jets:  I watched Paul Maurice’s season ending presser twice and I think there are going to be a lot of pissed off Jets fans next fall.  Reading in between the lines it doesn’t sound like the influx of youth we expected is going to happen.  

10. Jets:  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” is arguably the Winnipeg Jets best skater so why doesn’t he get more ice time? 

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11. Jets:  We got another glimpse of what it would look like with Andrew Copp as a second line center or top-six forward and I hope we can finally put that narrative to bed.  I love Copp on our third line but he would never be in a contending team’s top-six or powerplay unit.  He is a terrific third-line winger and penalty killer. (see #3)

Andrew Copp is where offence goes to die.

Andrew Copp is NOT a top-six forward.   

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • June 2 – NHL Draft Lottery (Buffalo won)
  • 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:  Are Paul Maurice’s or Kevin Cheveldayoff’s jobs in jeopardy?

UPDATE:

After sweeping the Edmonton Oilers I thought the brain trust probably earned some good will and saved their jobs for another season BUT this brutal showing versus Montreal has put BOTH CHEVY and POMO right back on the hot seat.  It is going to be an interesting off-season.  Because of a short off-season Chevy will be spared but it might be time to clean house but that’s just me.  Please vote on our poll question.

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

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14. Jets:  I find it absolutely amazing to the point of being comical that everybody has an opinion on the Mark Scheifele hit and subsequent suspension but it seems that Mark Scheifele’s opinion doesn’t seem to count. 

15. 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. 

FYI:  If the Jets don’t cut this deal with Vegas they might have taken Nick Suzuki instead of trading down and getting Kristian Vesalainen.  It’s too early to call this deal but the early returns certainly favour Suzuki. 

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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16. KHL:  Former Winnipeg Jets farmhand Eddie Pasquale was named the KHL’s Goalie of the Year for the 2020-21 season.  The former St. John’s IceCaps goaltender put up some pretty good numbers this past season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv.  He was 25-11-3 with a GAA of 1.91 and a SV% OF .925. 

17. Jets:  I’m not sure there is another organisation in the NHL that have a longer tenured GM and a longer tenured coach still working for them with less overall success that the Jets tandem.  Teflon Chevy has been here right from the start with very little to show for it.  The rule of thumb is a GM gets two coach firings before the spotlight shifts on to him.  Is that why he is still clinging to Paul Maurice?    

18. Jets:  I love Dylan DeMelo and I think he is a very underrated/important part of the Jets blue line but if not having him in the lineup causes the kind of collapse we’ve witnessed versus Montreal this team has bigger problems than we imagined.  

19. Jets:  Do the Winnipeg Jets need a new set of eyes in the organisation?  A President of Hockey Operations?  I’ve been saying for quite some time that this organisation needs a buffer between ownership and management.  (see #4)

20. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets are a month away from having to submit their protection list for the Seattle expansion draft.  I would love to know what they are planning.  I would just prefer to lose a player instead of cutting a deal to protect a player on the current roster.  (see #15) 

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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