Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Mar. 7

March 7, 2022 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 went 1-1-1 last week and are falling further behind in their chase for the last Wildcard spot.   

The Jets record currently sits at 24-22-10 and they are 8 points behind Nashville for the final wildcard spot and sit sixth in the Central Division. 

[Read more…]

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 11

October 11, 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. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE

1. Jets:  Just in case you forgot, Mark Scheifele won’t be available for the season opener in Anaheim Wednesday night because he still has to serve one more game of his four-game suspension from last season’s playoffs.    

2. Jets:  I’d feel a lot better about Andrew Copp playing on the second line if Paul Maurice said he wanted to add a defensive presence to the line and not because he believes Copp is a top-six winger.   

3. Jets:  As of today, winger Evgeny Svechnikov is still unsigned but I think it has something to do with the salary cap and his signing is just a formality.   

4. Jets:  This made me smile.

5. NHL:  Has everybody else had enough of Evander Kane and Robin Lehner? 

6. Jets:  The Jets game versus Calgary on Wednesday night was the best Josh Morrissey has looked offensively in ages and he and Nate Schmidt seem to have developed some chemistry together.  I really liked this pairing on the second unit powerplay.

7. Jets:  Upcoming events.

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

Oct. 21 – Home opener vs Anaheim.

8. Jets:  I remember a few years back there was talk of Evander Kane to Montreal for Max Pacioretty and at that time I said a “HARD NO”.  Ask me again.  

9. 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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10. Jets:  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is playing at an elite level so far this season and I’m guessing his early start representing Denmark in Olympic qualifying has a lot to do with it.  I’m expecting big production from him early on and all season.  I think I will take a run at him tonight in our “keeper league” auction.  

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11. NHL:  While I was watching highlights of a Seattle Kraken pre-season game I felt a little bad for the hockey fans of Quebec City.  I guess the only way Quebec City is getting an NHL franchise is if the NHL puts another team in Atlanta and they have to relocate it ten years later.

12. Jets:  Wednesday’s game versus Calgary was the first game this pre-season the Jets dressed a reasonable facsimile of their opening night lineup and although Nate Beaulieu wasn’t awful he did stand out as the weakest link.  He is a battler and a team guy but right now I have him as purely a depth guy, probably 8-9 on my depth chart BUT Paul Maurice probably has him in the 6-7 slot and he’s the boss.   

13. NHL:  Why do most people including sports announcers call pre-season games exhibition games?  That is a very very old-school reference and it irritates the hell out of me.  The NFL doesn’t call them exhibition games, MLB doesn’t call them exhibition games either.  STOP IT. 

14. Jets:  I think Cole Perfetti has outplayed all of the so-called “bubble” players competing for a spot on the Jets roster and he has been better than a lot of veterans that are half-assing it through the pre-season.  It would be a shame for him not to make the Jets 22-man roster but I sort of understand if they send him to the Moose.  There is a bigger picture and I get it but I don’t have to like it.     

UPDATE: 

15. Jets:  Dominic Toninato and Nelson Nogier were placed on waivers Sunday and if they clear will be assigned to the Manitoba Moose.  Cole Perfetti, Kristian Vesalainen, and Evgeny Svechnikov have escaped the axe so far but we won’t know for sure until Wednesday.   

UPDATE: 

16. Jets:  Unless there was some underlying problem between Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets that we don’t know about I wish the Jets would have invested in Laine before committing long term to Kyle Connor.  That doesn’t mean I still wouldn’t want KC but I would have prioritized the true sniper.  KC is a good enough scorer but Laine was elite and didn’t have to be attached at the hip with Mark Scheifele.

17. Jets:  In a bit of a surprise, at least for me, the Winnipeg Jets have assigned David Gustafsson to the Manitoba Moose.  This tells me they are probably going with a 22 man roster.  The good news is Cole Perfetti hasn’t been sent down as of the writing.  Hmmmmmmmmm. 

18.  Jets:  Not that I’m overly concerned about it but Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t looked great during the pre-season games he has played in.   

19. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois has looked decent during the pre-season and all Winnipeg Jets fans are hoping for big things from PLD.  He will definitely be under the microscope early on this season and especially Wednesday night when the Jets play their season opener in Anaheim versus the Ducks without Mark Scheifele.    

20. CFL:  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are now 8-1 after dominating the Edmonton Elks on Friday night.  The Bombers’ defence absolutely smothered the Elks offence for 60 minutes.  I’ve seen a lot of great Bomber defences over the years and some dominant performances but this one was one for the ages.  

PS:  Winnipeg Hockey Talk needs someone interested in writing about the Winnipeg Ice.  If you are interested contact me (Mitch) at [email protected]

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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Mathieu Perreault: A Pro’s Pro

April 21, 2021 by

What to do with Mathieu Perreault? – 

I’ve always been a big fan of Mathieu Perreault and what’s prompted me to write this article is the realization that he becomes a UFA at the end of this season. [Read more…]

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Apr. 12

April 12, 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 good week going 3-0-0 and jumped into second place in the Scotia North Division.  They are one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers with a game in hand.  Their overall record currently sits at 25-13-3. 

2. NHL:  St. Adolphe wasn’t selected as the winner of Kraft Hockeyville but as they say, it was an honour to be nominated.  I was really pulling for them.  I’m sure they’re disappointed but $25,000 is a decent consolation prize that will be put to good use.  Congrats to everyone involved.  

3. Jets:  Not much going on up to this point with the Winnipeg Jets as far as a trade is concerned.  Prices seem steep although I wouldn’t have minded Brandon Montour for a 3rd round pick.

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose played 3 games this week versus Belleville going 2-1 and improved their overall record to 10-11-2-0.  The Moose have 6 games left on their current homestand before finishing off their season with 7 games on the road.  Winnipeg Jets 2020 first-round pick Cole Perfetti is playing meaningful minutes and the nineteen-year-old has put up am impressive 17 points in 24 games (including Monday’s game).     

5. Jets:  Poll Question:  Who is your biggest surprise on the Winnipeg Jets roster so far this season?

Logan Stanley was the winner with 65% of the vote.  For me this wasn’t much of a surprise since the expectations for him were very low.  Stanley he has made great strides and has even impressed a lot of his doubters. 

6. Jets:  I just about lost my lunch when I was glancing at some Winnipeg Jets stats and noticed that Kyle Connor (39) is only six points ahead of Andrew Copp (33) in scoring.  Based on opportunity and deployment I say good on you Andrew and shame on you KC.  KC with top unit PP and better line-mates should be higher in my opinion.      

7. Jets:  The Jets 1st unit PP is struggling.  It seems predictable, it moves the puck slowly and lacks a net-front presence.  The 2nd unit is having more success because Neal Pionk and Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers don’t pass up good shooting opportunities and Mathieu Perreault isn’t afraid to get in front of the opposition goalie.  You don’t have to have a cannon from the point to have success.  Josh Morrissey has an adequate shot and needs to find the shooting lanes and SHOOT more.

Update:  The Jets PP went 1 for 6 and probably cost them the game.  They did score one nice goal on their first attempt but in the next five they couldn’t solve Gustafsson and probably gave up as many scoring chance as they created.         

8. NHL:  Blaming Torts for Patrik Laine’s play is a lazy narrative in my opinion.  

9. Jets:  This should help and might be a clue that something is cooking.  


10. Jets:  How did the Brady Tkachuk elbow to Blake Wheeler’s face go unpunished by the clowns that run the NHL’s Department of Player Safety?  What the hell does it take?  These clowns need to wake the hell up.  Wheeler is suffering concussion symptoms and all Tkachuk’s elbow to the face rated was a minor penalty.  WHAT A JOKE.   

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11. NHL:  Man those Vegas Golden Knights bright gold helmets are fugly.  

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:   TRADE DEADLINE POLL 

TRADE UPDATE:

The Winnipeg Jets trade a 2021 6th round pick to Vancouver for defenceman Jordie Benn.

Are you happy with Kevin Cheveldayoff’s move or lack of moves.

Are you ok with the Winnipeg Jets trade deadline day?

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14. Jets:  There is a certain faction of Jets fans that irritate the living crap out of me and especially on Twitter.  They refuse to give Logan Stanley any credit whatsoever.  What’s the problem?  Is he too tall?  Does he have too long a reach?  Is it the toughness he adds to the team?  WHAT?       

15. Jets:  Schedule

Update:  The May 7 game vs Ottawa has been re-scheduled to Monday, April 5.  This is due to the two postponed Vancouver games this week.

16. Jets:  Is there anything more satisfying than a low stress win against a hated original six team like the Habs on a Saturday night?  I guess beating Toronto is right up there as well.  Now that I think about it, beating Edmonton and Calgary is pretty sweet too.

17. Jets:  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: 2nd at 25.80% up from 25.70% last week.
  • PK: 1st at 81.00 up from 80.20% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 49.10 up from 48.60% last week.

UPDATE:  Today, the National Hockey League has announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and the First Nations Pandemic Rapid Response Team’s Melanie MacKinnon have been named the NHL’s Co-First Stars of the Week for the week ending April 11, 2021.  Hellebuyck went 3-0-0 last week with a .938 save percentage and a 1.67 goals against average.

18. Jets:  I’m tired of the Josh Morrissey/Tucker Poolman pairing.  It’s time for Paul Maurice to come to his senses and move Dylan DeMelo back up with Josh.     

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  20-10-3 … 2.45 GAA … .921 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  5-3-0 … 2.63 GAA … .914 SV%

20. Jets:  FYI:  Corey Perry is a weasel.  Just ask Connor Hellebuyck who has had a couple of run-ins with him this season.  

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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: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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