Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note: Puck drop is at 6:00 pm CT tonight as the Jets get set to take on the Penguins in the fourth game of this four game road trip to start the season.  After the Jets game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction.

Note II:  Coach Maurice has indicated that Josh Morrissey is being held out for precautionary reasons tonight against the Penguins.  As well Dmitry Kulikov was granted a leave from the team to return home.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Morrissey out, Hellebuyck gets the call as Jets face Penguins tonight. Ted gets you set up for the action ahead of the game in Pittsburgh.

Winnipeg Free Press: Morrissey out, Niku in on Jets’ black-and-blue line.  (Paywall).  It is one thing to be this deficient at the mid point of the season but to be absent this many D men this early in the year seems kinda nuts.  Mike previews the action.

Sportsnet:  31 Thoughts.  There’s a Jacob Trouba note in the preamble about his knowledge of the Jets system allowed him to set up the game tying goal.  Numbers 18 (Byfuglien) and 19 (Hellebuyck).

Sportsnet:  Why lack of physicality from blue line is Winnipeg Jets’ biggest concern.  Sean writes about the changes in the Jets blueline over the years and how the evolution has impacted the team.

Bit

Illegal Curve: Jets vs. Penguins pre-game report. The Jets skated today in Pittsburgh in advance of their game against the Pens at 6:00 pm CDT. Check out the projected lines and D pairs as well as pre-game audio from Sami Niku, Nelson Nogier and Mark Scheifele.

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

Jets audio:

Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice pre-game. Topics included – Update on the Jets blueline.  More on Morrissey.  What’s the challenge coming into a game like this?  How he plans to pair up his D?  His chat with David Gustafsson at the end of skate.  Does he remember a season starting with this much flux on the blueline?  Dealing with this many losses on D.  Who starts in net?  Putting Little on IR.  Is the home opener unlikely for Little?

Jets video:

The trio from The Hockey News discuss how the Winnipeg Jets can overcome their issues on defence.