Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 1

March 1, 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 quiet week with only two games, both versus the Montreal Canadiens and they managed to come away with four points.  They were full value in their win on Thursday night but stole the second game in overtime on Saturday after being outplayed for most of the night. The Jets now have a modest 4-game winning streak and an overall record of 13-6-1.

2. Jets:  March is going to be a beast of a month for the Winnipeg Jets with 17 games and only 5 at home.  If the boys can manage a minimum of 17-20 points they should be in decent shape heading into the home stretch with 12 home games in their final 20. 

3. Jets:  For the second overtime game in a row the Jets started the three on three  with 3 forwards and scored within the first minute (36 seconds).  I wonder if Paul Maurice will make this a regular occurrence? 

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finished their second week of play with a four-game road trip in Laval and they went 2-2-0 but the disappointing part was they won the first two games and couldn’t scratch out another point in the final two games.  Their record currently sits at 4-4-0 overall.  The Moose continue their road trip with two games in Toronto and two more games in Belleville before heading home for 17 in a row at home.  That’s right, I said 17!   

5. Jets:  In a game where the Jets were outshot 41-21, Nathan Beaulieu logged a game high 24:o1 on Saturday night.  Nuff said.  The Jets won 2-1 in OT, so I guess Nate lives to fight another day.  I’m not a Beaulieu hater.  I think he is useful as a depth defenceman, maybe a number 7 or 8 but not a top pairing guy that plays the most minutes in any game.  That is insanity.  What is Paul Maurice thinking or is this on Charlie Huddy?

6. Jets:  Mathieu Perreault has been quietly been playing some pretty good hockey of late and I’m not sure anybody has noticed.  MP just quietly goes about his business and plays wherever needed and doesn’t complain.  He is true pro. 

7. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois now has five games under his belt so I think it is time for Paul Maurice to fully optimize his lineup and get PLD back to playing center.  Scheif, Dubois, Stastny, and Lowry make a formidable center ice combination.  Time for Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis to join the popcorn brigade and get Kristian Vesalainen and Jansen Harkins back into the lineup as well.  Thompson and Lewis are okay as depth forwards and will still be needed with back to back games upcoming and injuries but shouldn’t be playing over the kids in my opinion.  

8. Jets:  Is #27 the Winnipeg Jets best player outside of Connor Hellebuyck?   

9. Jets:  Kyle Connor is absolutely scintillating in the offensive zone but absolutely cringe-worthy in the defensive zone.  I don’t know how many times he gives away the puck or can’t get it out but he is definitely the worst of the Jets forwards.         

10. Jets:  Kyle Connor and Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers have sure found some nice chemistry together and Paul Stastny compliments them quite nicely as well.  I’m not sure I would mess with this line when the re-shuffle starts.  

See the source image

11. Jets:  I’ve watched 5 out of the 8 Manitoba Moose games his season and I’m not sure what the Jets are waiting for because Ville Heinola is NHL ready and Dylan Samberg isn’t far behind.  I’ve always been impressed with Heinola but I really like Samberg.    

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:

Who is the Winnipeg Jets best forward?

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14. Jets:  I thought Sami Niku played very well in his two games against the Habs last week.  His puck moving ability and his breakouts were very good and I hope he gets into more games in the future.    

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  There are rumours the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a right-shot defenceman and Brandon Montour’s name keeps popping up.  There was a time where Montour was considered a sure-fire top-four defenceman.  I would take a long, hard look at acquiring him if I were Chevy.   

FYI:  Brandon Montour makes $3,850,000 this season and next season he becomes a UFA.  

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 23.40% up from 22.80% last week.
  • PK: 2nd at 80.00 down from 80.40% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 49 .50 up from 48.70% last week … Jets faceoffs are still weak in special team situations.

18. Jets:  Why isn’t Dylan DeMelo playing with Josh Morrissey?

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  10-5-1 … 2.56 GAA … .918 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  3-1-0 … 2.24 GAA … .935 SV%

20. Jets:  Paul Maurice is constantly bombarded on Twitter for a myriad of reasons and sometimes deservedly so and I occasionally wonder myself if the Jets win because of him or in spite of him?  (see #5)  Discuss amongst yourselves.     

*

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: 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

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

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Jan. 25

January 25, 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. 

This week’s Random Thoughts brought to you by the good folks at onlinecasinosnoop.com. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets just finished their busiest week of the season playing five games, winning three and losing two.  Their record sits at 4-2-0 for the season.  I think this is an acceptable start to the season and especially with Laine and DeMelo missing a few games. 

2. Jets:  After months of rumours and speculation the Winnipeg Jets have traded sniper, Patrik Laine.  Laine along with Jack Roslovic are on their way to Columbus for center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third-round draft pick.  The Jets’ quest for a top center is finally over but it cost them one of the NHL’s top snipers.  This is a trade that will probably end up benefitting both teams and all the players involved. 

3. Jets:  There were a lot of Jets fans that thought Chevy gave up too much to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois but 22-year-old, top-six centers are rarely ever available and if they are every NHL team would be in competition for that player.  I can be critical of Kevin Cheveldayoff at times but I must commend him for having the kohones to make a deal like this happen and especially when he knows how unpopular this trade would be with Winnipeg’s fanbase.       

4. Jets:  After checking the stats page I found it hard to believe that Paul Stastny had zero points in his first four games.  I thought he had played quite well but he got off the schneid Saturday night with a goal and 2 assists.  I wonder if Stastny will move to the wing or center the 3rd line after PLD arrives. 

5. Jets:  I am really sad to see Patrik Laine leave and I can’t help but remember how happy I was when the Winnipeg Jets selected him with that second overall pick.  Laine was far from a perfect player but his game was evolving and I just loved watching him rip those lasers past goalies.  I will never forget his 5-goal game in St. Louis and his OT winner at home vs Toronto.  He will be missed.   

Poll Question:  You can select up to three answers.

Now that you have had a couple days to let the "big trade" marinate, what are your thoughts?

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6. Jets:  Now on to Jack Roslovic.  Where do I start?  There is nothing that grinds my gears more than whinny little self-entitled bitches like Jack Roslovic.  I can never blame a player for wanting a larger role on a team and especially IF they deserve it but in Jacko’s case, he deserved sweet “you know what” all.  He was not now or ever a top-six forward on this Winnipeg Jets team.  He did get second unit PP duty and was always the first one elevated in the lineup if there was an injury, so in my opinion, he had NOTHING to bitch about.  Jack Roslovic is a player that rode the coat-tails of Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk in becoming a first-round selection and somehow thought he was entitled.  Sorry Jacko but piss off and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.  Enjoy Columbus and Tort’s doghouse.     

7. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets may have the most underrated stud on their team and the best-kept secret in the NHL.  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers has skill, a good shot, speed to burn, and is one of the best zone-entry players in the league.  He is a line driver and he makes everybody that plays with him better.  That is the true measure of a star player. 

Embed from Getty Images

 

8. Jets:  It was nice to see Dylan DeMelo playing defence again this weekend.  He was a little rusty but the Jets are a much better team with him in their lineup.   

9. Jets:  It’s cliche time.  I wonder if in hindsight Patrik Laine’s trade request might become a case of be careful what you wish for because it may come true?  The grass isn’t always greener on the other side?  John Tortorella is not the easiest coach to play for.

10. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets received a little bit of criticism for trading up to select Logan Stanley in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and the Jets defenceman finally made his NHL debut this past week in Ottawa.  I wasn’t expecting much but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  He made a lot of nice simple plays, some very nice stretch passes and seemed to move a lot better than I remember.  I’m not quite sure after a handful of games I’m ready to anoint him as a bonafide starter but he is much closer than I anticipated.  It has been reported he has been working hard on improving all aspects of his game and it looks like his hard work is paying off.  I think all Winnipeg Jets fans would like to see him succeed.  In my opinion, Logan Stanley has worked his way into the Jets top-8-9 on the depth chart and you couldn’t say that last year and that defence corp was much weaker.  Morrissey, DeMelo, Pionk, Forbort, Heinola, Samberg, Beaulieu, Poolman and Stanley are much better than the dog’s breakfast we watched last year.  I forgot to mention Niku.        

What were your thoughts on Logan Stanley's first week in the NHL?

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11. Jets:  Ville Heinola made his 2021 debut last week in Ottawa and for the most part looked smooth as silk.  I have never seen a player his age have so much poise.  He has top-four blueliner written all over him.   

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. Pet peeve:  Fans that blame Paul Maurice for Jack Roslovic’s holdout and ultimately his trade demand.  I would like to know what Maurice did wrong?  I’m so tired of this narrative that he held Roslovic back.  Jacko thinks he is a top-six forward but not on this Jets team and not on the majority of others in this league.  

14. Jets:  I wonder how long it will take for Patrik Laine to realize how talented his former teammates were?  

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  Would it be a stretch to say that early on, Derek Forbort has been the Winnipeg Jets biggest surprise and probably the Jets most consistent defenceman?  Not bad for a late free-agent signing.   

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: 18th at 20.00% 
  • PK: 17th at 76.50% 
  • FO: 20th at 48.90% 

18. Jets:  I wonder when we will see Dylan Samberg make his NHL debut?  As of right now, he is on the taxi squad but I wonder if he is destined for the Manitoba Moose?  

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck: 3-1-0 … 2.25 GAA … .920 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit: 1-1-0 … 3.46 GAA … .911 SV%

20. Jets:  For those Winnipeg Jets fans that hate the Patrik Laine trade just pretend that the draft lottery and the last four years were a dream and the Winnipeg Jets actually drew the 3rd ping-pong ball and not the second ping-pong ball.

*

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: Patrik Laine Edition

October 19, 2020 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:  There has been an awful lot of conversation about Patrik Laine trade rumours and unfortunately that is probably going to dominate Winnipeg Jets news until he is actually traded or until he signs a long-term contract extension so these random thoughts will be no different. It looks like another two and a half months of speculation and angst in Winnipeg.

2. Jets:  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I believe the team that gets the best player in a trade always wins the trade and in this case, I have no doubt that Laine will be the best player in any deal he is in.    

3. Jets: In my opinion, there is no correlation between the Paul Stastny trade and the Winnipeg Jets trading or not trading Patrik Laine.  The Jets needed a second-line center no matter who is on the right-wing of the second line.  

4. Jets:  I previously mentioned that you probably won’t win a trade involving Laine BUT that doesn’t mean I don’t think you can improve your team.  The Jets could acquire a couple of pieces that improve the team on a short-term and maybe even one or both on a long-term basis, but you won’t be getting a potential generational talent in return. 

5. WJC:  Here is some good news for the holiday season.  The U20 WJC will be held in Edmonton in the “bubble” albeit with no fans so the Christmas tradition continues.

6. Jets:  A lot of the Paul Maurice haters are having a field day with the Patrik Laine rumours placing the blame directly on the coach.  To be honest I don’t have a lot of issues with Maurice’s handling of Laine but I do have an issue with his usage of Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers.  If there is one player that has a reason to bitch about his usage on the Winnipeg Jets it is Ehlers, not Patrik Laine, and sure as shit, not Jack Roslovic. 

7. Jets:  It was a quiet week in Jetsville as far as actual trades or UFA signings.  Jets fans still hoping for an impact UFA signing or trade.

8. NHL:  I posted this last week but I’m leaving it up because I think it is important and needs more discussion.

I’m not a fan of no-trade and no-movement clauses.  Players shouldn’t be able to have it all, big money and term and then piling on with no-movement clauses.  In my opinion, NTCs and NMCs actually create an unfair playing field within the NHL and it hampers the ability for GMs to make trades.  The NHL has enough imbalance with teams in certain states having no taxes and warmer climates.  This makes it tougher on a lot of markets and especially Canadian teams.  I would propose some sort of grandfathering out of NMC and NTCs.  It would be for the good of the game and level the playing field a little bit although I don’t see the NHLPA ever agreeing to that and unfortunately, I don’t see the owners picking that as a hill they want to die on during collective bargaining   If I were an owner in a Canadian market I would be pushing for it.  By the way, when was the last time a Canadian team was in the Stanley Cup Final?  Hmmm. 

9. Jets:  Looking back at the free-agent period as we stand today the Winnipeg Jets have improved their team basically because of the Dylan DeMelo signing and the Paul Stastny trade but the problem is a lot of teams in the Western Conference improved their teams more.  

10. NHL:  It looks like Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley may have inadvertently spilled the beans last week about there being a Canadian Division this coming season. 

When asked about trading defenceman Nate Schmidt to the Vancouver Canucks, a division rival, Foley explained why he wasn’t concerned.

They’re going to play in the Canadian Division this year.  I don’t think that border’s going to be open before January 1st.  I really don’t.  Cause Canada’s got spikes going on, they’re starting to lock down again.  Winnipeg’s locking down.  Quebec has got spikes going down.  I think they’re going to play in a Canadian division.  I don’t think they’re going to cross the border.”

I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago and it makes total sense because I didn’t think a bubble was feasible until playoff time.

11. Jets:  After a lot of Jack Roslovic trade banter it got quiet awfully fast after Nate Schmidt was traded to Vancouver.  Vancouver getting Schmidt for a third-round pick still irritates the hell out of me and you wonder why I rant about the NTCs.  (see #8)

12. Jets:  Although I do believe there have been talks about a Laine trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if every GM in the NHL has contacted Kevin Chelveldayoff multiple times over the past four years.  I still believe these rumours are agent-driven.  I would like to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth before I get bent out of shape.    

13. Jets:  Some of the Patrik Laine trade rumours that are out there are so laughable I wish these guys coming up with this stuff were in my hockey pools.   

14. Jets:  POLL QUESTION

 

Will Patrik Laine be traded?

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15. Jets:  For the record, I believe Patrik Laine should be on the Winnipeg Jets top line with Mark Scheifele and the other winger should be Nikolaj Ehlers.  Paul Maurice has let Scheif and Blake Wheeler have their way and play together and their preference is to have Kyle Connor as their left-winger.  This is a pure case of letting the inmates run the asylum.  Maurice has been and is criticized for this and it is a legitimate bone of contention with some fans but wouldn’t caving into Laine’s demands be the same thing. 

16. Jets:  I love Patrik Laine and I love it when he scores with that one-timer on the Jets PP but let’s not forget he is not a perfect player and he is still a work in process.  Laine made some good strides this past season and he will only get better and maybe playing him on the second line wasn’t/isn’t the end of the world.  Mark Scheifele and Kyle Conner aren’t exactly defensive juggernauts and that is being extremely kind. 

17. Jets:  Even if Patrik Laine doesn’t his way and has to slum it with Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers for a year doesn’t he realize that Blake Wheeler won’t be the first-line right-winger forever, hell Mark Scheifele might not even be the first-line center in a couple of years.  Maybe Patrik should stake his claim on the right-wing with Cole Perfetti before Blake Wheeler does.  Of course, I jest but make no bones about it the Jets top line in three seasons will be Ehlers-Perfetti-Laine.  Book it.  

18. Jets:  I remember the days when coaches coached and players shut their mouths and played.  I realize it is a different world now and today’s players need to be coddled a little more but at some point, you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself if it is about you or the team?  If the answer isn’t the team it is time to pack your bags and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.   

19. Jets:  Even though I’ve said you can’t let the inmates run the asylum if it came down to choosing between Paul Maurice and Patrik Laine, I choose Laine.  I pay to watch Patrik Laine play, not to watch Paul Maurice coach.  You can’t lose a potential generational player for a middle-of-the-road coach and this thought goes completely against my grain.

20. Jets:  Patrik Laine will not be traded. Winnipeg is good.    

 

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: Oct. 12

October 13, 2020 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 highlight for me last week was the Winnipeg Jets having Cole Perfetti fall into their lap at #10 in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.  Perfetti is the highly-skilled center the Jets have been seeking.  He fills a real organisational need and could be ready to play in a couple of seasons.  He could surprise and push for the 3C spot in camp, you never know.  I compare him to Mathew Barzal. 

2. NHL:  For the first time ever the NHL season kind of actually finished (Sept. 28) during hockey season.    

3. Jets: The next biggest news in Jetsland was Kevin Cheveldayoff acquiring Paul Stastny from the Vegas Golden Bettmans.  Stastny will help fill the void at the 2C spot now that it has been confirmed that Bryan Little won’t be playing.     

4. Jets:  I disagree with Jets fans that say the Winnipeg Jets helped Vegas out of their cap problem by taking Paul Stastny off their hands but I think Kevin Cheveldayoff took advantage of their cap problems.  In what world would you ever get Paul Stastny for Carl Dahlstrom (waiver wire pick-up) and a 4th round pick?  It was a wash at worst.

5. NHL:  At the start of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Tuesday night, Gary Bettman announced their goal was to try and start the 2020-21 season on Jan. 1.  I have no idea or even have a guess what the plan is but I don’t see a bubble being feasible.  

6. Jets:  Looking back at last week’s happenings the Dylan DeMelo contract extension got lost a little bit after the Jets announced the Paul Stastny trade.  DeMelo was a nice fit for the Jets right off the bat and he played very well with Josh Morrissey.  The only problem I see is that he is not a top pairing defenceman although he might be on this team and therein lays the problem.     

7. Jets:  Paul Stastny didn’t have to waive his no-trade clause this time when traded to the Winnipeg Jets.  The Jets were actually on his shortlist of teams he would go to.  That is a little refreshing. 

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8. NHL:  I’m not a fan of no-trade and no-movement clauses.  Players shouldn’t be able to have it all, big money and term and then piling on with no-movement clauses.  In my opinion NTCs and NMCs actually create an unfair playing field within the NHL and it hampers the ability for GMs to make trades.  The NHL has enough imbalance with teams in certain states having no taxes and warmer climates.  This makes it tougher on a lot of markets and especially Canadian teams.  I would propose some sort of grandfathering out of NMC and NTCs.  It would be for the good of the game and level the playing field a little bit although I don’t see the NHLPA ever agreeing to that and unfortunately, I don’t see the owners picking that as a hill they want to die on during collective bargaining   If I were an owner in a Canadian market I would be pushing for it.  By the way, when was the last time a Canadian team was in the Stanley Cup Final?  Hmmm.  (see #7)

9. Jets:  There were lots of rumours over the weekend that the Jets were in on talks to acquire Nate Schmidt from Vegas and were involved in other talks to acquire a top-4 defenceman.  The good news is Patrik Laine or Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers names weren’t involved.  It looks like the Winnipeg Jets are dangling Jack Roslovic as their trade-bait and I’m okay with that as long as it is a good hockey trade.     

10. Jets:  Disclaimer alert:  This is coming from the ex-scout in me.  My annual rant to give the scouts a little love.

The Jets had a decent draft and mostly because of getting Cole Perfetti but GMs get too much credit for drafting good players.  The GM may stand at the podium and make the pick but the scouts do all the work.  The GM is responsible for the day-to-day roster and the scouts are responsible for the draft prospects although the GM does get the final say but remember the scouts do all the leg-work.  Now I feel better.  

11. NHL:  It was funny to hear an analytics guy like Kyle Dubas talk about being harder to play against, adding some grit, and adding character to the room.  I know you can’t paint all analytics guys with the same brush but some of them actually get snooty if you mention intangibles.  

12. Jets:  Based on their lack of an impact signing or trade to bolster their top-4 defencemen the Jets are telling me two things –  they had no luck in trying to lure UFAs to Winnipeg or they’re not having any luck trading for one.  I can’t help but wonder if they are putting too much hope on Dylan Samberg and/or Ville Heinola filling the void this season.  The good news is Heinola is playing hockey in Finland.  The bad news is Samberg hasn’t played any meaningful hockey since March.  Now in saying this there is a lot of time between now and when the season starts so stay tuned. 

13. Jets:  Defenceman Derek Forbort was a decent signing as long as he is slotted in the right spot.  Forbort was Drew Doughty’s regular partner when he was playing for the LA Kings.  Forbort will add some much-needed size and experience to the Jets blueline but he is not the big fish Winnipeg Jets fans are looking for.  Sorry, Derek, there is no Doughty’s on this blueline.    

14. UFAs:  I was hoping players like Erik Haula as a 3rd line center or Nick Cousins as a 4th line center and players like defencemen TJ Brodie, MacKenzie Weegar, or Travis Hamonic were on Chevy’s radar as acquisitions via free agency or trade.  So far …. NO.   

15. NHL:  Important date:

Oct. 18 –  Sunday … RFA Qualifying offers expire.

16. Jets:  Headcount as of this weekend.  Lots of new toys but some are broken.

In:  Paul Stastny … Nate Thompson … Derek Forbort … Dominic Toninato   

Returning:  Dylan DeMelo … Nathan Beaulieu … Luca Sbisa … Laurent Brossoit

Out:  Carl Dahlstrom … Anthony Bitetto … Logan Shaw

The good:  Cole Perfetti, Paul Stastny, Derek Forbort. 

The bad:  Nate Thompson  

The ugly:  Luca Sbisa

The meh:  Nathan Beaulieu, Dominic Toninato  

17. Jets:  Maybe it’s time for Chevy to contact his old team and see if he can bring home a disgruntled Jonathon Toews.  That $10, 500,000 for 3 more years would be a problem though.  What if the Hawks retained half?

18. RIP Eddie Van Halen … gone too soon.

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: , , , , ,

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