Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: The Jets were off on Monday as they tried to get back some energy following a gruelling six-game road trip which saw them traverse across the United States. But they won’t be unpacking for long as they’ll have just one game at home before heading out for two more on the road. The focus today will be on the Blues who are 2-0-1 under new coach Jim Montgomery. Of course Winnipeg has plenty of question marks including the health status of Nikolaj Ehlers. Be sure to check back for the pre-game report for any updates. Morning skate gets underway at 10:30 AM and puck drop is at 7 PM CST.

Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and St. Louis, 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 starting around 9:40 PM CST.

Note III: The Moose are back on the ice this morning as well after a day off yesterday. The team will look to get back on track with a week of practice as they prepare to face Belleville this weekend in Winnipeg to wrap up six games at home. Today they’ll practice at hockey for all centre at 10:30 AM CST.

Note IV: While no Jets prospects were in action on Monday there was some news as Team Canada announced their World Junior selection camp invites and 2023 1st rounder Brayden Yager was on the list while 2023 1st rounder Colby Barlow was not which we looked at further here. And the news about Yager didn’t end there as later in the day it was announced that he had been involved in a WHL trade going from Moose Jaw to Lethbridge. Coincidentally his old team (Warriors) play his new team (Hurricanes) in his new city (Lethbridge) this evening which is just one of the things he spoke about yesterday in his first media availability.

Note V: If you are excited about the NHL’s 4 Nation Face Off in February the rosters for Canada, USA, Finland and Sweden will be revealed tomorrow night at 5:30 PM CST on Sportsnet’s broadcast (or you can wait for the inevitable leaks which will ruin said broadcast).

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Sinking Jets hope to end slide against revitalized St. Louis Blues. While it won’t be a lot of home cooking the Jets will have to hope this quick stop in Manitoba can help revitalize the team and get them back on track.

Winnipeg Free Press: Jets hit patch of turbulence, but not hitting panic button. (Paywall). It is worth noting that when the Jets were 15-1-0 we said they aren’t a team that is gonna maintain that pace as they had a relatively favourable schedule and maintained good health during that run. Similarly during this time of a less than favourable schedule and poor health, we aren’t ready to write the previous run as an illusion. The truth as it always is can be found somewhere in the middle.

Global News: Jets have opportunity to regain consistency with home stretch. I still think it’s nuts that they will have played 11 games of 13 away from Manitoba between November 12th and December 7th but the fact of the matter is you have to play the hand you are dealt. As Kelly outlines this team needs to lean hard on their 9-1-0 record as they will play five of next seven in Winnipeg.

Sportsnet: Stanley’s miscues in latest Jets loss begs questions about Heinola’s usage. You do have to wonder if they are trying to slowly insert Heinola back into the lineup because as I said last night on the IC Post-Game Show why not see what you’ve got at the NHL level with Heinola for an extended period of time. Either you see that he is capable of giving you what you need over the next 10-15 games or he isn’t and then you need to make a move accordingly. This is not a decision the organization can wait till April to figure out.

Jets video:

WST: Jets Week in Review. Connor Hrabchak hosts Winnipeg Jets Weekly – a review of the past week in Winnipeg Jets news and a look ahead of what’s to come. Connor discusses the Winnipeg Jets games this week on the road in Minnesota, Los Angeles, Vegas and Dallas.