Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  Three home games out of six in the books after last night’s 2-1 OT victory over the Kings.  Despite having won all three there has been a cost as they lost Jacob Trouba to a concussion on Sunday and last night Patrik Laine blocked a shot and the extent of the injury hasn’t been disclosed.  We don’t expect any updates today with the team having the day off and while coach Maurice did say “there’s nothing sinister” I suspect Jets fans won’t be satisfied until they see #29 skating (Update of sorts via Darren Dreger).  The Jets are scheduled to be back on the ice on Thursday morning at 11 am.

Note II:  The Moose completed their seven-game road trip last night with a 4-2 loss to the Rampage.  This trip they went 3-3-0-1 and have an overall road record of 23-8-2-2.  The team returns to Winnipeg today from Texas (about a 20 degree Celsius drop) as they get set to kick off eight straight at Bell MTS Place.  It begins with a visit by the Stockton Heat (Flames farm club) to Winnipeg on Thursday night.

Note III:  Tune in for two hours of Jets and NHL hockey talk tonight with NHL This Week with Illegal Curve on TSN Radio 1290 starting at 6:00 pm CST (Guests: Joshua Clipperton, Sarah McLellan and Josh Brewster)

Jets news:

Sportsnet:  Canada’s NHL playoff hopes riding on two vastly different teams.    Something tells me folks outside of Ontario will likely throw their weight behind Winnipeg to end the drought that has been ongoing since 1993.

Winnipeg Sun:  Connor for Calder? Rookie winger wins it in OT, Laine injury not “sinister”.  He sits second in goals by a rookie and Kyle Connor could hit 30 goals this season for Winnipeg.  Not too bad considering he began the year with the Moose.  Ken breaks things down.

Winnipeg Sun:  Protecting starting goalie Job 1 for Jets.  Head to Staples, buy all the bubble wrap you can find and swaddle them and specifically Connor Hellebuyck in it.  With two goalies dealing with injuries, despite the stability of Hellebuyck/Comrie it isn’t an issue the Jets want to test any further.

Winnipeg Sun:  Injury moves Jets Little to wing.  While the Jets bench boss tried to suggest that the move was all about getting Copp time at centre the fact that Little didn’t take faceoffs against the Hawks  in the game he did play centre was curious.  Paul did some digging and the Jets veteran admitted it to Paul.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets outlast Kings to win 2-1 in OT but lose Laine.  (Paywall).  Jason breaks down last night’s festivities from inside Bell MTS Place.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Young defenceman adapting to playing with different partners.  (Paywall).  I’ve watched most of Josh Morrissey’s games as a professional and he continues to impress me with his overall game.

L.A. Times:  Kings earn a point but lose to Jets in overtime.  Read about the game from a beat writer that covers the Jets opposition.

Globe and Mail:  Jets pick up overtime win over Kings, but lose Laine to injury.  With Laine’s injury and Connor’s two goals the effort by rookie netminder Eric Comrie can be overlooked.  While he wasn’t heavily tested the netminder was solid in his first regular season start for the Jets in a building he is very familiar with.

NHL.com:  Jets defeat Kings, set their wins record.  This Jets squad keeps breaking all the old records and another one fell last night with the win.  Scott recaps the game.

The Athletic Winnipeg:  A comprehensive look at the Jets penalty kill and why it might regress.  (Paywall).  Murat dives deep into the Jets special teams.  

Jets video:

Sportsnet:  Kevin Cheveldayoff offers his take on goalie interference decision.  David Amber caught up with Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff during day 2 of the NHL GM meetings.

Sportsnet:  Between Maple Leafs and Jets, who goes further in playoffs?  Tim and Evanka debate who between the Maple Leafs or Jets will go farther in the playoffs, and if their regular seasons are any indicator.

Jets audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Jets build is an example for the league.  ESPN Senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski joined host Kevin Olszewski for some around the NHL discussion and to talk about his recent feature on the Winnipeg Jets.

Prospect news:

Ilta Sanomat: Kristian Vesalainen will play in Winnipeg next season, plans to sign his ELC after this season.  Just an FYI the article is in Finnish and google translate wasn’t very effective in translating the piece.  Suffice it to say the firepower on this team next season is going to be off the charts if Vesalainen continues his upward trajectory.