Note: It feels like each and every day in these notes I suggest that the day prior was an incredibly busy one for Jets news but that’s just the way the 2019-20 season has gone so far. It began with the news that the team had recalled Joona Luoto from the Moose, placed Bryan Little on IR which was followed by a busy practice which saw captain Blake Wheeler take over the second line centre role. Following practice we learned that Little had suffered a perforated eardrum and is presently dealing with vertigo, Gabriel Bourque would be out a minimum of four weeks with a lower-body injury, while Tucker Poolman could return to action today. Quite a Thursday. No morning skate for the Jets today but you can expect a media availability/optional skate at 10:30 am so be sure to check back for our pre-game report as they get set to take on a Vancouver Canucks team which lost to the Blackhawks last night in Chicago. Puck drop at 7 pm.
Note II: The Jets announced this morning that they have reassigned Ville Heinola from the Moose to Lukko Rauma
Note III: The Moose will look to get back in the win column tonight in Rockford as they take on the IceHogs at BMO Harris Bank Center. Puck drop is at 7 pm
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Scheifele, Wheeler split helped by improved cast around them. We spoke this summer about the idea of spreading the wealth soccer style.
Winnipeg Sun: Shaken Jets regroup after frightening injury to Little. It has be so hard to see a teammate go down in that manner.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ turn to Wheeler to fill centre hole once again. The Jets captain was asked about switching to centre after practice “I’m willing and able to do whatever they need. Probably outside of playing goalie, I’ll try anything”.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: No timeline for return after Jets forward takes slapshot to head. (Paywall). The Jets depth is once again being put to the test.
Winnipeg Free Press: Little’s absence prompts Jets to shift captain off Scheifele’s top line. (Paywall). Many wanted to see 26/55 split and now they’ve fished their wish.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Necessitated by Bryan Little’s injury, Blake Wheeler’s shift to centre is yet another challenge for the Jets. (Paywall). In a season full of challenges why not add another. Ken offers his thoughts on the situation.
Sportsnet: Jets continue to face never-ending challenges in trying season. When you put it that way…dear mama what a crazy season it has been for Winnipeg and they are just four or five weeks into it.
Jets video:
TSN: Wheeler to fill void left by Little at centre. Bryan Little’s injury leaves a hole in the Jets’ top six, resulting in Paul Maurice deciding to move Blake Wheeler from right wing to centre, a position the head coach used him at two seasons ago when Mark Scheifele was injured. The plan for the game against the Canucks will be to have Wheeler centre a line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Jack Roslovic. Sara Orlesky has more.
