Note: The Jets hit the ice in Del Boca Vista for a big contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Last year the Jets game against the Bolts is what turned the season around for Winnipeg. Doesn’t seem likely that lightning will strike twice although they do have intense storms in Florida so you never know….
Note II: In AHL news the Moose played the always fun 10:30 am game yesterday in Illinois but perhaps they should play more of those type of games as they won 5-2 behind Patrice Cormier’s three goal performance.
Jets news:
CTV News: With Stamkos off trade market, Jets’ Andrew Ladd is top deadline target. As the market gets tighter the price for the Jets winger gets higher and higher for those teams looking to add a piece.
Winnipeg Free Press: Maurice’s punishing workout has long-term application. (Paywall). A change in narrative by the coach.
Winnipeg Free Press: Losing with purpose: Earning lottery pick may be logical step for the Jets. (Paywall). Over 90% of the respondents to our poll think that this team is more likely to be picking in the top 3 than seeing another white out this season. The fan bases in a number of places already have Matthews jerseys made up for the 2016 NHL draft in Buffalo.
Winnipeg Free Press: ‘It’s past the babysitting stage’: Ladd. (Paywall). The Jets captain knows that his fate, more than any other player’s on this team, is hanging in the balance.
Winnipeg Sun: Where has Jets’ offence gone? The team has the third fewest goals in the Western Conference and haven’t exactly been lighting the lamp of late since they scored four goals against the Avalanche on February 6th.
Winnipeg Sun: NHL’s basement dwellers jockeying for best draft position. Michael Traikos looks at how the bottom teams could benefit from a draft this deep.
Sportsnet: Ladd most sought-after deadline player? (Video). Kelly Moore joins the guys to talk about possible landing spots for Andrew Ladd at the deadline, and tries to put his finger on what went wrong in Winnipeg this season. Runs 6:03.
Sportsnet: Should Ducks pay price for Andrew Ladd? Is there anywhere the Jets captain isn’t rumoured to be going these days? Spector makes the case why this move makes sense for both sides.
Illegal Curve: Jets Practice Report. Some notes from yesterday’s skate at Amalie Arena as well as audio from Andrew Ladd and Mathieu Perreault.
Jets audio:
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice scrum. Is there a message to his team today? Problems with the team adapting/changing during games. Any reason as to why the offence has been so difficult to achieve? What can guys do to get an edge? Status of Dustin Byfuglien and Adam Lowry? How many more “message days” can he have with this squad? Thoughts on Adam Pardy’s return?
Moose news:
Rockford Register Star: IceHogs snooze in 5-2 morning loss to Moose. Pretty crazy that at 10:30 am the arena was sold out but it sounds like every school in that part of Illinois dumped their kids in the place. Also sounds like they saw a decent early morning contest. Read about it from an opposition beat writer’s perspective.
NHL This Week Replay:
Topics: Recapping Jets/Hurricanes. Evander Kane’s one game suspension. Yzerman not dealing Stamkos. Firing of Mike Yeo by Wild.
Guests: David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period). Brian Engblom (Lightning colour analyst). Adam Kimmelman (Deputy managing editor, NHL.com)
To listen click here.
