Note: The Jets are now done with the Player Break portion of their time off and have now transitioned into the All-Star Break portion of things. Well most of them have as Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Head Coach Paul Maurice are in San Jose for the 2019 All-Star Game festivities.
Note II: The Moose are back in action tonight as they look to keep their eight game points streak (6-0-1-1) alive when they take on the Icehogs in Rockford. Manitoba is tied with their opponent in terms of points but have played three fewer games. Unlike the Moose the Icehogs have stumbled of late going 2-7-0-1 in their last 10 games. Puck drop is at 7 pm.
Note III: For tomorrow’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN Radio 1290 we will be taking your calls starting at 11:15 am CT until the show concludes at Noon CT. Questions we will pose to the audience will include What should be the Jets priority entering the trade deadline period–Top 4 defense or Top 9 forward? Of the Jets “prospects”, which ones should be dangled in trade talks and which ones are “untouchable” (if any)? When the team is healthy, has Mason Appleton done enough to warrant staying with the Jets for the foreseeable future/remainder of the season? After this season, what should Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor’s next contracts look like (years & term)? Or you can let us know what you’d like to discuss. Be sure to join us on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at 9 am on Saturday.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: High-altitude Jets not on hockey writers’ awards radar. (Paywall). I suspect the Jets players and brass aren’t losing any sleep over this lack of acknowledgement.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets on a break, but Dump & Chase are not. (Paywall). Mike and Jason with lots in this piece.
Sportsnet: 31 Thoughts. Jets assistant GM Craig Heisinger is mentioned as a possible candidate for the vacant GM position in Edmonton by Friedman in his preamble.
The Athletic Winnipeg: How stars play smarter, not harder and being ‘bullish’ on Winnipeg’s Cup chances. (Paywall). Murat and Justin Bourne share their thoughts on the Jets Cup chances, ways they can improve and how Winnipeg’s stars maximize their performance.
Jets video:
TSN: Signing Matthews, Marner, Laine a delicate balancing act for Leafs, Jets. With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Patrik Laine set to become restricted free agents at the end of the season, the Maple Leafs and Jets will have to find a plan of attack to ensure their critical pieces stay with their respective teams. Ryan Rishaug, Dave Poulin and Frank Seravalli discuss how Matthews’ contract outcome could impact the timing of other deals for potential RFAs.
TSN: Two of the NHL’s statistical anomalies belong to the Jets. Craig Button breaks down how unique trends by Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler have helped the Jets become one of the NHL’s best teams.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Laine needs people to get him the puck. The Athletic’s Scott Cullen joined host Ryan Brandt with a look at the NHL from a fantasy hockey perspective heading into the All-Star break.
