Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  Huge game tonight as the Jets try to reverse their recent woes as the team has dropped four of their last five games.  The Jets and Kings are tied for the 1st/2nd Wild Card position in the Western Conference.  The team had an intense practice yesterday and it will be interesting to see how they start tonight at the Staples Center.  As always stick with @illegalcurve for the latest Jets news.

Note II:  Kicking off your Jets game day coverage on TSN 1290 Winnipeg the guys are moving the show back to 3 pm and will be on until 6 pm as they get you ready for the Jets/Kings game, discuss the Jets season as they hit the mid point and take a look around the NHL.  Guests:  Jim Fox (LA Kings-Now analyst on FS West) and Brian Hayward (Television analyst for the Anaheim Ducks).  Listen here.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Clinging to a playoff spot.  Ed writes about the intensity the team showed in practice, the Jets place in the standings, a sick bay update, what’s working, causes for concern, a look ahead and percentage that Jets make playoffs.

Winnipeg Free Press:  In conversation with Grant Clitsome.  A chat with Clitsome about his website that is used to engage young people in the political process.

Winnipeg Free Press:  MTS Centre ranked third among NHL arenas.  Not bad when you see how many venues were visited in the rankings.  While it is smaller than most NHL venues the intimacy does tend to add to the atmosphere.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets fans flock to away games.  It began with fans, as seen below at Xcel Energy for the 2011 Entry draft, and ever since Winnipeg Jets fans have been supporting their team in arenas across the NHL.  When you have an opportunity to combine some warm weather and supporting your local team it is a great opportunity for Jets fans.  Especially for those who don’t get a chance to regularly support the team at the MTS Centre.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets dig in.  Time for the guys to look around the room and get ready to play some of the most important hockey since the Jets return if this team is serious about the playoffs.

Illegal Curve:  41 down – A look at the Jets at the midway point in the season.  I looked back at the Jets 41 games to date as well as biggest wins, worst losses and my top 10 story lines to date.

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice scrum (audio).  On Enstrom and Stuart and ability to get back into the lineup.  Has he been able to put the disappointment of yesterday behind them?  What is Evander Kane’s status?  What does this team need to do to stay out of the penalty box?  On status of Bryan Little and Adam Pardy.  How does having a hot goalie like Hutchinson help offset the injuries?  Could he have expected this level of performance from Hutchinson?  Who starts tomorrow?  On keeping his team focused during the Teemu pre-game ceremony.

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  The Big Show (audio).  Dennis Beyak joins the guys to explain how the Jets may have to wait until Sunday’s game against Anaheim to see Toby Enstrom and Mark Stuart join Zach Bogosian back in the lineup, while the date of Evander Kane’s return remains up in the air.

Prospects news:

TSN:  Jets prospects shine at World Juniors.  Dennis pens this blog post on the six players that the Jets had at the World Juniors and talks about each player and how they performed.

Selanne news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Selanne tribute deserved: Maurice.  Of course when a ceremony may be 1.5 hours the Jets bench boss has to figure out how much his team will participate in and how much they will spend preparing for a very important game.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets plan to show respect for Selanne.  While he never played for this franchise his connection to our city is undeniable and showing respect to the Finnish Flash is the way folks in Manitoba would want to see from their hockey club.

Kings news:

L.A. Times:  Mike Richards could be odd man out in Kings’ lineup changes vs. Jets.  Local Kenora product may be on the outs or it could simply be a message from his coach.