Note: Day 19 and we are finally at the conclusion of training camp. Practice heads over to the IcePlex with the players on the ice at 11 am. Be sure to stick to @illegalcurve for all the latest news.
Note II: Reminder that NHL Mid Week returns to TSN 1290 Winnipeg from our summer hiatus on Wednesday, October 8th to help kick off the NHL season. Join us from 6 pm until 8 pm for two hours of NHL hockey talk. Guests: Arthur Staple (Newsday – Islanders) and Tyson Nash ( TV color analyst – Coyotes).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Hutchinson the No. 1 No. 2. There was plenty of speculation what the Jets were thinking when they went out and acquired Budaj.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets are same, same, but somehow… different. It was somewhat humorous when the coach of the Jets stopped his own presser to prevent himself from using a tired cliche to describe his team. The question media wants answered is what makes this somewhat similar team any different from the one fans saw iced last season.
Winnipeg Free Press: Move Buff back. We certainly know that the Jets hybrid forward/defenceman would be more than ok with a move back to D.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ plans for Budaj on hold for a day. There was plenty of speculation about the goalie situation which was ended when the Jets sent the veteran netminder down to the AHL. Now they have to wait to see if he clears waivers.
Winnipeg Sun: Coach Maurice believes Jets are a better team than they were last year. The Jets bench boss was certainly not going to say he doesn’t believe they are a better team. Truth is he can only coach the players he has on the ice so he is doing the best he can to change the culture from within. Will he have success? Stay tuned to find out.
Winnipeg Sun: Nothing has changed in goal for Winnipeg despite Budaj acquisition. Ironically Sunday was an off day so media didn’t get a chance to pounce on the goalies until Monday. Not surprisingly both acted nonchalant about the move.
Winnipeg Sun: Lowry thrilled to make Jets opening day roster. I have been extremely impressed by the rookies poise as he faces the media questions like a seasoned veteran providing answers that are thought out and aren’t simply the platitudes that we so often hear from young players.
Winnipeg Sun: Is basement-dwelling time over? Ken writes about the team’s desire to get out of the cellar and head to the playoffs.
Sportsnet: Trouba gives Jets fans a reason to cheer. While a return to form will certainly be welcome by Jets fans the young blueliner won’t be able to single-handily bring this team into the playoffs.
CBC: In the Room (video). Mitch catches up with Jets players for one-on-one conversations and yesterday he spoke with Mathieu Perreault.
Globe and Mail: Ten games to watch this season. Who would have thought the Jets would make this list….twice. The Teemu game comes as little surprise. The second game seems like wishful thinking.
ESPN: Pre-season power rankings. It wasn’t a big fall from the previous spot but clearly there wasn’t far to go to hit the bottom.
Illegal Curve: Adam Lowry to wear #17. Jets announced the rookie will be switching from #56.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler and Lawless (audio). Jets on TSN’s Dennis Beyak joins Hustler & Lawless to discuss why the Winnipeg Jets trading for Peter Budaj to put him on waivers was a move to improve depth in net, and that the salary numbers were secondary at best. Beyak also talks about how Blake Wheeler’s new linemates may help propel him to an 80-point season, and why Nik Ehler’s & Nic Petan’s training camp did not disappoint.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: The Big Show (audio). Jets color analyst Shane Hnidy joined the Big Show to discuss the Peter Budaj trade, Paul Postma’s strong debut, as well as Blake Wheeler and the opportunity to join the NHL’s elite scoring forwards.
Day 18 of Training Camp audio:
Players: Adam Lowry, Michael Hutchinson and Zach Bogosian.
Coach Maurice: Reflections on Day 18 of camp.