Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note: Puck drop is at 7:00 pm CST tonight for tonight’s game between the Jets and Canadiens.  After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press: Chiarot finds happy home in Habs’ top pairing partnered with Weber. (Paywall).  Chiarot has come a long way since being drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2009. The former Jet is averaging 23:42 of ice time so far this season.

Winnipeg Sun: Former Jets rearguard a true ‘progression story.  The popular defenceman clearly still has a lot of friends and admirers back in the province where he got his NHL career going.  

Montreal Gazette: Victor Mete will return to lineup in Winnipeg.   Get set up with a look at the game from a writer who covers Montreal.  Lots to learn in this one.

The Athletic Winnipeg:  How a Pionk tradition celebrates hockey in its purest form.  (Paywall).  That is a pretty sweet outdoor setup for the Pionk household.  We had to trudge down the street to Colleen Park (shout out to West Kildonan) to get in some skating.  

Illegal Curve: Jets vs. Canadiens pre-game report. The Jets held an optional morning skate this morning followed by a media availability before they take on Montreal which takes place at 7:00 pm CST. Check out the projected lines and D pairs and hear from Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine.

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

Jets video:

TSN:  Laine, Jets’ top line starting to ramp up towards midpoint of the season.  Patrik Laine has 13 goals in 34 games for the Jets this season, which for most players would be a good pace, but for the talented young sniper, his production has been lower than expected. Despite the slow start, Laine has four goals in the Jets’ last four contests and he and linemates Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele have started to find their chemistry as a line.

TSN: ‘We’ll probably go around him’: Laine jokes about facing former teammate Chiarot. Patrik Laine poked some fun at former teammate Ben Chiarot as the Jets get set to face the Canadiens tonight at home. Chiarot was amused by the chirps but declined to reply, saying ‘I’m not gonna get into it.

Sportsnet: Blake Wheeler on setting Jets franchise record for points. Blake Wheeler joked about being jinxed before setting a franchise record for points scored with the Jets, and talked about the opportunities that led to this point for him.

Jets audio:

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice pre-game scrum.  Topics included – Value of Ben Chiarot.  Joel Armia becoming a big goal scorer.  What impressed him most about Jansen Harkins debut?  Laine scoring more in December.  What it was like on the bench when Blake Wheeler set the franchise record for most points.  Any lineup changes?  Challenges with all the new faces.