Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  Most of the Jets are off today with the exception of Blake Wheeler and Connor Hellebuyck who are in Tampa Bay to take part in the NHL All-Star game skills competition at Amalie Arena which begins at 6 pm.

Note II: The Moose are back in business in Laval for a re-match of last night’s contest which saw them win for the second straight game by the same score of 4-1.  Eric Comrie made 39 saves as he returns to form, Nic Petan had three assists while Mason Appleton added a goal and assist in the win.  This will be Manitoba’s final game before they are off for a few days which coincides with the AHL All-Star game which gets underway in Utica on Sunday. Not everyone is off however as the Moose are sending four (coach Vincent, Michael Hutchinson, Cameron Schilling and Mason Appleton) to upstate New York to represent the central division.  But there is still a hockey game to focus on tonight and following the goalie carousel yesterday the expectation is Michael Hutchinson will make the start with puck drop at 6 pm CST.

Note III:  We hope, as you do most Saturdays, you will begin your day at 9 am by joining us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg for three hours of Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and NHL hockey talk.  And for today’s show I mean it almost literally.  While you cannot physically come in studio you will be able to join us on the air for the last hour of the show (11 am – 12 pm cst) as we will be taking phone calls on a number of Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose topics.  Reach us at (204) 780-1290

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets picked by some as Cup contender.  Still seen as below that Tampa and Nashville tier, this Jets squad has the talent and could make quite a bit of noise in the playoffs.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets get some love in NHL mid-season awards voting.  Little Winnipeg love from some hockey folks and fans.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets launching into awards territory.  (Paywall).  Not to be too bah humbug but I fail to really understand the value in judging the players at this point in the season.

TSN:  Why Blake Wheeler was my no. 1 for Hart.  The Jets captain gets some love from out East by TSN analyst Frank Seravalli.

Illegal Curve:  Jets recall Jamie Phillips from Moose; assign Hutchinson & Lemieux.  It was a busy day as the Jets made moves which impacted the Moose and Icemen.  Get call caught up.

Jets audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Jets have found ways to win despite injuries.  Jets on TSN analyst Kevin Sawyer discusses the playoff-like atmosphere in the Jets shootout loss to Anaheim, how the All-Star break comes at a good time for players like Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba, Jack Roslovic scoring his first NHL goal, Matt Hendricks appearance in the shootout, the amount of chirping he sees from players in between the benches, Dustin Byfuglien’s game and Blake Wheeler’s focus on being the best player he can be.

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  All Star game is a carefree weekend.  TSN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro discusses his experience at the NHL All Star Game in 1992, the Jets post break game vs. Tampa Bay and the physical play of the NHL’s California teams.