Note: The Jets took Saturday off but the team still made plenty of news. They began by reassigning Kristian Vesalainen to the Moose (which move makes sense if they wanted to have some salary cap space to recall a pair of forwards if they choose to sit Copp out tonight). Yesterday on the 32 Thoughts segment during Hockey Night in Canada Elliotte Friedman indicated conversations around Andrew Copp are intensifying. Which means it is gonna be a must watch morning skate in Chicago which gets underway at 10:30 AM so stay tuned for the pre-game report to get the full 411 ahead of the game. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT and following the final buzzer we want you to join the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.
Note II: The Moose got loose on Saturday evening in Iowa as they continued their seven-game road trip with a contest against the Wild in Iowa. Jets 2019 2nd rounder Simon Lundmark got things going, followed by Nicholas Jones with a very solid opening period holding a 2-0 lead and a 14-5 edge in shots after 20 minutes. The home side came out strong but every time they narrowed the Manitoba lead the visitors scored to give themselves some cushion. Goals by Bobby Lynch, Mikey Eyssimont & Cole Maier helped the Moose take it 5-2 which means they’ve picked up five of six points in the first 3 games on the road and their points streak is at eight games (6-0-1-1) as they improve to 33-17-3-2 on the season. The two teams have a re-match in Des Moines at 3 PM CT.
Note III: Nice primary assist by Jets 2018 3rd rounder Nathan Smith who sets up the OT winner (see here) for his Minnesota State club which won them the Mason Cup. Crazily this was the second OT goal for the Mavericks. They had to return to ice almost an hour after first one after it was called a good goal, they celebrated winning, left the ice but then the play was reviewed and they had to play OT again. Wild.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets GM Cheveldayoff faces big decisions as Monday deadline looms. Should they stay or should they go. With apologies to The Clash for modifying their classic song that is the big question that the Jets GM will be grappling with over the next day or so. All indications are they will go but we will have to stay tuned to find out. (which means you should be refreshing this site all the time). Scott gives you plenty to assess ahead of the deadline.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Jets trade deadline 2.0: What I’m hearing about Andrew Copp, Paul Stastny, and more. (Paywall). Lots to glean from Murat’s latest ahead of the trade deadline on Monday. Some very interesting scenarios.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Jets video/audio:
Illegal Curve Hockey Show: Saturday show. Lots discussed on yesterday’s show including a recap of the Jets loss to the Bruins, plans for Winnipeg ahead of the Trade Deadline, whether they should start Comrie or Hellebuyck against the Hawks and the comments made post-game by Boston coach Bruce Cassidy about Jets D. Guests were Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun and Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Jets sign goalie Philippe Desrosiers to a one-year, two-way contract. The Stars 2nd round pick from 2013 has spent most of this season in the ECHL with the Trois-Rivieres Lions but has played four games for Manitoba. One wonders if the injury to Mikhail Berdin which has keep him from this road trip is the impetus to sign him. Interesting it was Evan Cormier who got the recall by the Moose to backup Arvid Holm.
