Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  Following last night’s unmitigated disaster as the Jets fell to the Habs the Jets players and coach will speak to the media today at 12 noon before they take off to Arizona.  Update:  The Jets ended up practicing before they left for Arizona.

Note II:  The Moose are back in the city but have cancelled their previously scheduled practice this morning.  The team is in a bit of a skid having lost their last four games.  They will look to turn things around as they face Central Division rival Chicago on Friday and Sunday.

Note III: NHL This Week with Illegal Curve airs tonight on TSN 1290 Radio from 6-8 pm CST. We will recap last night’s 7-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and preview the Jets @ Coyotes with Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports.

Jets news:

Sportsnet:  The Winnipeg Jets have a goalie problem, but should they acquire a new one?  This was supposed to be the year we no longer heard talk of goalie issues but that hasn’t been the case.  It isn’t as if the Jets D has been otherworldly either.  What would you like to see the Jets do?

Sportsnet:  Breaking down the second-year leap of Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.  If Ehlers wasn’t playing behind Laine and Scheifele he would be an absolute household name.  His skill and vision are off the charts and he has only continued to make huge strides in his game this season.  

Winnipeg Free Press:  Maurice cranked up the volume, but did the Jets hear him?  (Paywall).  It is certainly going to be interesting to see how this team performs over the course of the entire roadtrip.  They cannot simply play well in Arizona.  They need to have strong performances against the Kings and Sharks as well.

Winnipeg Sun:  Morrissey has come a long way.  Having watched him in the AHL last season I wasn’t shocked that he has been able to make the jump but I am a tad surprised at how seamless it has gone and the fact that he is on the top pairing.

Toronto Sun:  Mid-season assessments for all 30 teams.  Something tells me Jets fans are praying this comes true.

Sportsnet:  Maurice meant every angry word he said.  (Video).  Daren Millard, Doug MacLean and Elliotte Friedman talk about Paul Maurice’s press conference after the Jets 7-4 loss to the Canadiens.

TSN:  That’s Hockey 2 Nite.  (Video).  TH2N explains the Jets bench boss was right to call out his team.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Montreal scores fast, Maurice furious; Hellebuyck pulled after three goals. (Paywall).  That game was a tire fire.  Not really sure how else to describe it although if you saw coach Maurice turn ten different shades of purple you can somewhat guess what he thought of the contest.  Jason breaks it down here.

Winnipeg Free Press: Big men shift gears as NHL speeds up.  (Paywall).  Used to be that sized ruled the day in the NHL but that isn’t always the case and now players are having to adapt to this new reality in today’s NHL.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets at their worst in getting pounded by Habs.  It was as unusual a game as I can recall having seen at the MTS Centre.  Ted breaks it all down.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets remain a second-tier opponent on the NHL circuit.  Paul writes about the fact that the Jets often face the back up netminder when teams visit the Peg’.

Winnipeg Sun:  Wheeler relishing role as Jets captain.  Lots in this article from Ken yesterday on why the big Minnesotan was the right man to wear the ‘C’ for this team.

Montreal Gazette:  Canadiens score early and often to overpower Jets.  Read about the game from the perspective of a beat writer that covers the Habs.

Sportsnet:  Tyler Myers leaves Winnipeg Jets for ‘personal family matter’.  Hopefully everything is all right for the big defenceman off the ice.

Canadiens 7 Jets 4:

Illegal Curve:  Post-game report.   Head back inside MTS Centre to hear from the Jets (Wheeler, Little, Stafford, Hellebuyck and coach Maurice) as well as the Habs (Pacioretty, Montoya and coach Therrien).