Note: The Jets have another day of practice today as they get ready to face Chicago tomorrow night here in Winnipeg. Today they will hit the ice at 11 AM at the MTS Centre. Update: Take a look at the lines and D pairs as well as hear from Blake Wheeler, Connor Hellebuyck and coach Maurice. Click here.
Note II: The Moose looked like they would kick off the road trip on a positive note scoring the first goal against the Griffins but eventually the top team in the Central Division took over the contest and beat Manitoba by a final score of 4-1. Chase De Leo made his return to the Moose lineup after missing the last two games in Winnipeg with an injury and was joined by Brandon Tanev who was re-assigned by Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ryan Olsen and Darren Kramer came out of the lineup. You can read the recap on the official Manitoba site. The Moose will practice today in Cleveland at 12 pm.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets looking to sweep season series vs Central Division powerhouse. As I tweeted following practice have to enjoy Hellebuyck’s Wings fandom from his childhood dislike of the Hawks. Ken writes about the Jets success against this league powerhouse.
Metro News: Jets’ fans patience wearing thin. Fans and patience are not two words that generally go together well at the best of times, especially not in our instant gratification society. However as Hust writes Jets fans have been waiting six years to see this team take that next step and the list of areas needed to improve is still a long one.
Winnipeg Sun: Hellebuyck granted another chance to seize No. 1. Many fans were happy to see the young netminder back between the pipes and won’t be upset seeing him getting another chance to take back his starting role.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
Winnipeg Sun: Sarcastic Maurice “apologizes” for demoting Laine. The Jets bench boss outlined what he sees as his plan for the youth of his team.
Winnipeg Free Press: Coach Maurice least of Jets problems. (Paywall). A conversation between sports editor Steve Lyons and columnist Paul Wiecek with a majority of focus around the Jets.
Winnipeg Free Press: Shuffling lines nothing new for Maurice. (Paywall). Que the line blender jokes.
Winnipeg Free Press: Laine off his game, got time to think about it. (Paywall). Not surprised with the answers the young rookie gave during his scrum today.
TSN: Are Jets taking right steps to develop young players? (Video). Have the Jets taken the right steps in getting their young players the proper experience? Has the Jets goaltending held them back this season? Sara Orlesky and Gary Lawless discuss this and more in 3-in-3.
Sportsnet: Which Canadian NHL team has the best first line? Jets fans will find this article somewhat problematic as the author suggests he is “not looking at which team can assemble the best line, but which team has the best top line that is currently being used“. Only problem is he looks at the Jets with Ehlers-Scheifele-Laine as the top line and as folks around these parts know, those three haven’t been together as a trio since game number 42 back on January 7th. If you’d like to see how these guys stack up however give it a read.
CBC: Laine, Ehlers thrill Grosvenor School students with visit. It isn’t just on the ice where these two have the kids rising out of their seats. The Jets participated yesterday in the Reading Takes Flight initiative as it is currently I Love to Read Month.
Illegal Curve: Jets Practice Report. A look at what was happening on the ice at practice as well as post-practice audio from Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine and 16 minutes with Coach Maurice.
Jets audio:
TSN 1260 Edmonton: Even Gretzky was benched early in his career. The voice of the Winnipeg Jets, Dennis Beyak joined us to discuss Patrik Laine being disciplined by Coach Paul Maurice, and the current state of the team.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Cheveldayoff in the hunt for a top defenseman. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins Hustler & Lawless to discuss some of the recent dismissals of coaches like Claude Julien, which other teams could make moves at head coach, and why Tyler Myers’ long-term absence has Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff looking for a blue line replacement.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Head coach the hardest position in hockey. Dave Poulin joins Hustler & Lawless to discuss the challenges facing head coaches like Paul Maurice with a young team, available coaches like Claude Julien, and how the NHL won’t look as drastically different as some may think after the expansion draft.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Laine was having a tough game defensively. Rick Ralph looks back on the Jets loss to Minnesota, and Patrik Laine’s limited ice-time in the game. Rick also discusses the team’s lack of depth on defence and problems in goal.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Laine deserved to be benched by Maurice. Play-by-play man Paul Edmonds joined the Big Show following the Jets 4-2 loss to the Wild to break down a strong effort from the club, Connor Hellebuyck’s chance to shine with Ondrej Pavelec out and why Paul Maurice was right to bench Patrik Laine after the rookie’s turnover led to Minnesota’s second goal.
NHL This Week:
Topics: Jets-Wild Recap, Tyler Myers undergoes surgery and will be out 6-8 weeks, Jets-Blackhawks Preview, Boston Bruins dismiss Claude Julien as Head Coach, Sidney Crosby on verge of 1000 career points, The Selke Trophy Race.
Guests: Kristen Odland (Calgary Flames beat reporter for Postmedia), Josh Cooper (Yahoo’s Puck Daddy).
To listen click here.
