Note: The Jets held their end of season interviews yesterday at the MTS Centre but Jets hockey isn’t quite done. With the signing of Kyle Connor the team is holding an availability today. We will cover it so keep it locked to to illegalcurve.com throughout the day as I will cover that conference call and once the site is updated we will also notify you via Twitter |Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: While the Moose are done playing in Winnipeg they still have two games left on the calendar at the end of this week in Texas. The team will practice today at the IcePlex.
Note III: Tune into the final NHL This Week on TSN 1290 Winnipeg for the Stanley Cup Preview show. Kicks off at 6 pm and runs until 8 pm. Guest: Eric Duhatschek.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: After five years on the job, is there reason to have faith in Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff? A draft and develop model isn’t an easy one to abide by (ask now former GM of Arizona Don Maloney) but if you have an ownership and coach who will subscribe, it is possible. Having said since every team is seemingly drafting and developing at what point does this method bear fruit?
Winnipeg Sun: A C for you, and for you ... As can be seen in our newest Poll Blake Wheeler is the early favourite to wear that designation next season although Scheifele is seen as a natural second by both the fans and his fellow Jets players.
Globe and Mail: Jets will stick to their slow and steady rebuild – until they don’t. How many more years will fans put up with an MTS Centre that is sans ice early in April?
Winnipeg Free Press: Tim’s Notebook. (Paywall). Includes season not done for youngsters, value in Jets conclusion to season, more nuance to Jets/Moose points, cap space, not earning a space in playoffs, keeping faith in plan, no. 55 comes alive, early start for Byfuglien, Little up for any task and Myers recovering well.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets net college phenom. (Paywall). The news set the MTS Centre buzzing as local scribes were in the midst of conducting exit interviews. It certainly injected some added excitement to a rather somber day.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets didn’t earn right to be in playoffs. (Paywall). A spot in the playoffs isn’t given, it is earned and Winnipeg simply didn’t do what it needed to do to earn that right. This comes from the Jets GM.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets leave behind a familiar refrain: ‘next year’. (Paywall). And one that Jets fans are hopeful will not be repeated again next year. While the team may be even younger next season there will be some tremendous talent added to the roster that fans hope will translate to a different result.
Winnipeg Free Press: As contract nears end, Pavelec reflects on disappointing season. (Paywall). It is going to be an interesting off season for the Jets netminder. He will have to be prepared for the challenge of the World Cup in addition to a likely challenge from prospect and current Moose #1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Winnipeg Free Press: Wheeler says donning the ‘C’ would be an honour. (Paywall). It is still very raw for Blake Wheeler just a few days after the team closed the books on the 2015-16 season but it is clear that he is seen by his team mates as a leader in the room and that will likely translate to the C being added to his jersey next season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
CBC: Jets show no quit despite disappointing season. A look at some of the themes/topics discussed during the player interviews.
Detroit Free Press: Kyle Connor leaving early for Winnipeg Jets. Some interesting quotes from Connor’s former head coach Red Berenson on his top player leaving for the NHL.
Jets End of Season audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler and Lawless. Blake Wheeler joins the guys to discuss bringing a cohort of young players along with the team, the narrow margin in getting into the playoffs, and his expectations for next season.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler and Lawless. NCAA star Kyle Connor joins Hustler & Lawless after signing his pro contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Connor describes how his skills have changed while at the University of Michigan, and how he expects to fit in on the Jets roster.
Illegal Curve: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Jets GM met with the media for his end of season interview for the 2016 season.
Illegal Curve: Coach Paul Maurice. The Jets bench boss met with the media for his final interview for the 2016 season.
Illegal Curve: Players exit interviews. Hear from Wheeler, Little, Thorburn, Pavelec, Byfuglien, Ehlers, Myers, Lowry, Stafford & Scheifele.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: The Monday Manitoba Moose Report. It may be Tuesday but that doesn’t make this Moose Report any less relevant. Plenty to digest as Peter gives you the Moose week in review, takes a look at the Moose end of season award winners and ends with a look at the draft lottery odds.
