Note: Start your day with three hours of Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and NHL talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. We start things off at 9 am with our Jets chat and will have three interviews including Paul Edmonds (TSN 1290 Winnipeg), Branden Crowe (Voice of the Brandon Wheat Kings), Michael Traikos (Writer for Postmedia News). We will also be opening up the show to phone calls for the final hour from 11 am until 12 noon. If you’d like to join the conversation call in at 204.780.1290.
Note II: The Jets have are still on their All-Star holidays except rookie Patrik Laine who will take part in the NHL Skills Competition tonight in L.A.
Note III: The Moose finish off the sixth game of this road trip tonight in Charlotte as they look to get revenge for the loss last night to the Checkers. Might Jamie Phillips make his first AHL start or will Eric Comrie start his sixth straight game? Stay tuned to find out.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: 5 things Jets must do to stay in playoff race. With all eyes on the standings around these parts Ken gives you his list of things the Jets need to keep in this race including: 1) Get more saves. 2) Centres of attention. 3) Emergence of Trouba. 4) Three dangerous wingers. 5) Keep discipline in check.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets need to boldly go where no Chevy has gone before. (Paywall). I’m not disagreeing with the notion that Hellebuyck would have been well served to have a veteran to play behind for this season but I don’t understand the idea that the Jets haven’t drafted well when it comes to netminders. That idea seems to be based on not drafting a tender in the top couple of rounds.
Winnipeg Free Press: From lottery pick to all-star: A timeline of Laine’s dazzling debut season. (Paywall) I missed this one from Jason on how it has been quite a year for the Jets super rookie.
The Hockey News: Why this season’s Calder Trophy race could be the closest in years. Something tells me this race is going to last until the end of the season.
TSN: Assessing Western Conference Canadian teams. (Video). All four TSN reporters from Western Conference teams weigh in with the progress of the Oilers, Flames, Jets and Canucks and the TH Panel offers their take on how the second half of the season could break down for each team.
TSN: Old issues continue to plague the Jets. Craig breaks out his teacher grading pen to give the Jets some mid season grades. Little deserves more than a ‘B’ in my mind but that is just my opinion. What do you think of the grades?
Jets news:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Only way Jets get in playoffs is if Hellebuyck gets hot. Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun speaks to Hustler & Lawless about the Jets comeback win in Chicago, Patrik Laine’s return and attendance at the NHL All Star Game, the strong play of Andrew Copp and who the Jets might protect in the expansion draft.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Laine has exceeded expectations. Finnish journalist Sami Hoffren speaks to Hustler & Lawless about Patrik Laine’s return from injury, his first half of the season and NHL All-Star Weekend.
Moose news:
Global News: Manitoba ‘Lack’ scoring punch in loss to Charlotte. The Moose had the unfortunate luck to run into former Moose 1.0 goalie Eddie Lack who was sent to the Checkers on a conditioning stint.
