Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note:  After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction. As soon as illegalcurve.com is updated we notify you via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

Note II:  The Jets have signed Nikolaj Ehlers to a seven year contract extension.  Full quotes as well as audio from Ehlers and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.  Click here.

Jets news:

The Athletic:  Maple Leafs, Jets teammates marvel at how Matthews, Laine can shoot the puck. (Paywall).  It isn’t just their teammates who marvel at these two phenoms.  They are both just generational talents who have the opportunity to put their respective teams on their backs as they try to get to the next level.

Sportsnet:  How does Nikolaj Ehlers contract compare to NHL peers?  Looking at this contract you have to like it from the Jets perspective.

Toronto Sun:  What can the incredible 2016-17 rookie class do for an encore?  All eyes in Winnipeg and Toronto will be on their superstar sophomores as they likely will raise the bar from their extremely impressive rookie seasons.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets lock up Ehlers.  Ken adds his thoughts on the deal that was announced this morning and which had Winnipeg watercoolers buzzing.

The Hockey News:  GM Cheveldayoff strikes again, signs Ehlers to remarkably team-friendly deal.  When I saw the term and the money you immediately thought it was an excellent deal for the team.  Assistant GM Larry Simmons also deserves a lot of credit for crafting it.

Sportsnet:  31 Thoughts.  Lots of Winnipeg thinking from Elliotte Friedman including some in his opening salvo and then thoughts 12 (Laine), 13 (Hellebuyck), 14 (Myers), 15 (Analytics), 16 (Penalties) and 17 (Little).

Illegal Curve:  Jets vs. Leafs pre-game report.  Take a look at what happened this morning at the rink this morning as Winnipeg gets ready to face Toronto at the Bell MTS Place tonight.  Audio:  Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Steve Mason, Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine.

Illegal Curve:  Morning Papers.  If you missed any of the news we have you covered.

Jets audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Jets have a nice core moving forward.  Jim Cerny of The Sporting News previewed the upcoming NHL season with Kevin Olszewski. They discussed Jack Eichel’s new contract, Nikolaj Ehlers extension, his expectations for the Winnipeg Jets and why Patrik Laine is his prediction as the Rocket Richard Trophy winner.

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice pre-game.  On getting the Ehlers contract done before the season began.  What does he see Ehlers ceiling at?  How ready is this Jets team to get to business?  How does he feel about his goaltending?  Does he feel this is the year his team will take a jump and what does he feel is the biggest hurdle?  What went into his decision making process in the 3rd and 4th lines?  Why Copp at centre?  On his relationship with Mike Babcock and his experience coaching two Canadian teams?  What are some of the telltale sign that his team’s commitment to D is showing?

Jets video:

TSN:  Why are Laine & Scheifele not being paired together?  Leafs Lunch host Andi Petrillo and co-hosts Dave Poulin & Mike Johnson are joined by Winnipeg Jets reporter Sara Orlesky to get the explanation of why it appears Patrick Laine & Mark Scheifele won’t play together.

TSN:  Dreger on Ehlers’ extension, Jets goaltending this year.  TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins Sara Orlesky to talk about Nikolaj Ehlers’ seven-year extension worth $42 million, the Jets’ goaltending situation and his surprise that Kyle Connor’s was sent to the minors.