Note: Yesterday was day 1 of the NHL season but the focus in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba was on the matching seven-year contract extensions which were reported on Monday but executed on Tuesday by Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. Once the formal portion of the media availability took place with the duo as well as GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Rick Bowness they each broke off for individual scrums. It began with Connor Hellebuyck (watch here), followed by Mark Scheifele (watch here), coach Rick Bowness (watch here) and then concluded with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff (watch here).
Note II: With what could have been a season long distraction turned into a potential boost to start the season, that is just what Winnipeg will be looking to do today as they get the 2023-24 season started in Calgary. stay tuned to what is happening at morning skate which gets underway at 12:30 PM CDT. All the relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 9 PM CDT.
Note III: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Calgary, we want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show as we discuss and analyze the results of the game. Reminder that you can join us LIVE at Boston Pizza Taylor as we will be hosting a watch party!
Note IV: While the NHL season is underway the AHL continues with training camp and here in Manitoba that involves the Moose who were off the ice on Tuesday during their production day but did make a move to reduce their roster from 33 to 30 players. Today they are scheduled to skate at Canada Life at 10:30 as they prepare for their season/home opener on Friday.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Who are the Winnipeg Jets? That is a question we will spend the next 82 games and many months watching in order to try to figure out that answer.
Winnipeg Sun: Winnipeg deeper at forward, but are they better? The Jets actually have a fourth line. Not a spare parts one either. A real one and that is because of the increased depth. Of course that comes potentially at the cost of scoring.
Winnipeg Sun: Brossoit returns to lessen Hellebuyck’s load. This is going to be big for Winnipeg who have shown the last few seasons that they rode Connor Hellebuyck as hard as they could but that should see a decent reduction with his former teammate back in the fold.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets running it back on blue-line. They got the increased scoring out of this group that they wanted last season but they’ll also need to show they can defend.
Winnipeg Sun: 23-in-23 – A thought or two on every name on the Jets roster. This was ambitious of Scott but provides plenty of good info on all players on this Jets club.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets eager to take energy from productive off-season onto the ice. It very easily could have been a negative that impacted this team on a near daily basis when on the road but they’ve reversed that and will try to use that momentum to springboard themselves to a good start to the season.
Winnipeg Sun: Hellebuyck, Scheifele, ‘all-in’ on Jets’ plan. Have to think it’s unlikely either signs these deals if they don’t have faith in the vision shared with them from Jets brass.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: Jets family squabble looks like ancient history. Even before yesterday’s big news the Jets bench boss was tossing cold water on any last season talk as talk that needed to stay in the past.
Winnipeg Free Press: Scheifele, Hellebuyck excited to be Jets for life. (Paywall). Hope springs eternal at the start of every NHL season and this news can only add to that excitement.
Winnipeg Free Press: Mark Chipman high on future with stars in fold long-term. (Paywall). Wieber had a chat with the Jets co-owner to talk about his club.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets cheer big signings. (Paywall). Both Adam Lowry and Josh Morrissey were all smiles on Tuesday when provided the opportunity to discuss the identical signings by their teammates.
The Athletic Winnipeg: How the Winnipeg Jets changed course and convinced Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele to stay. (Paywall). It was quite an about-face given all the yapping we heard from various folks all summer long.
Sportsnet: 32 Thoughts – Why Scheifele, Hellebuyck stayed with the Jets. The preamble features plenty of Jets talk as does thought 1.
Sportsnet: Scout’s Analysis – Scheifele, Hellebuyck and why the Jets are a team to watch. Interesting insight in this piece from a scout’s perspective.
Global News: Hellebuyck, Scheifele want to win in Winnipeg. Need a top NHL goalie and top NHL centre to be a contender which these two provide.
Jets video:
Winnipeg Sun: What impact will the extensions of Hellebuyck and Scheifele have on the Jets? The full Winnipeg Sun sports crew discusses the identical seven-year contract extensions for Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck, delving into what it means for the team now and into the future, as well as touching on the season ahead, which begins for Winnipeg tonight in Calgary.
Sportsnet: Where are the Jets projected to finish in the Central division this season? NHL insider Sean Reynolds joins Kyper and Bourne to talk about where he thinks the Winnipeg Jets will finish in the Central standings this season, expecting a small decline from the team with a strengthening division.
Sportsnet: Why new deals for Scheifele and Hellebuyck look great but don’t help Jets in short term. Jets insider Sean Reynolds joins Kyper and Bourne to discuss how he believes the new contracts for Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck are home run deals and voices his concern on how it doesn’t help the Jets improve in the short term.
TSN BarDown: Jets call out other NHL teams for fun. Which NHL team has the worst visiting locker room? Which team are you most excited to play against? Instead of calling out each other, players for the Winnipeg Jets called out other NHL teams.
TSN: The Jets’ message in signing Hellebuyck and Scheifele. In the Ray & Dregs podcast, Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger break down the significance of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff signing his two veteran cornerstone players for seven more years in Winnipeg.
