Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers (Tuesday, Feb 21st)

Note:  We will be at the Jets and Flyers practice this morning and will have post-practice audio from both teams.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  ‘This city might BURN DOWN…’ Playoffs? Jets fans would go wild (in a good way).  Part of the problem for coach Noel is keeping the focus on the here and now and not on what could be down the road.  As much as he wants to let the players loose, he needs to reign them in and keep them focused on the present.  As tired as the cliche is, the Jets have to take this one game at a time.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Big winger’s rollin’ like an 18-Wheeler with other news and notes.  Wheeler is not one for individual recognition.  Coach Noel’s concern.  Sick bay update.  Goaltender alert.  Juicy numbers.  Quotable.

Winnipeg Sun:  Biggest bang for Jets buck.  The Sun takes a look at which players on Winnipeg have provided GM Kevin Cheveldayoff with the most value and which Jets have not. Did they get it right?

Winnipeg Sun:  Cranky Claude problems.  The Jets coach is just trying to caution against over enthusiasm.  Tonight is going to be quite the statement game against the big, bad Flyers.

CSN Philly:  Eighth-place Jets making playoff push.   Part of the reason for the success is being 3 and 0 against the Flyers.  A win tonight will give the Jets the clean sweep and big momentum as they continue their quest for the playoffs.

Minnesota Daily:  Wheeler continues winning ways at Xcel, in the NHL.  Really in-depth article on Blake Wheeler’s development growing up as well as playing college hockey in Minnesota.

Illegal Curve:  Trade deadline show part 1.   Recap: Winnipeg Jets defeat Boston Bruins.  Jets week in review.  Preview: Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche.  Jets week preview.Recap of recent trades (Gill, Grossman, Moore).  Trade deadline preview: Southeast Division.

Illegal Curve:  Trade deadline show part 2.  Interview with Craig Custance of ESPN.  Trade deadline preview: Northeast Division.  Trade deadline preview: Atlantic Division.  Trade deadline preview: Northwest / Central Division.  Trade deadline preview: Pacific Division.  Cheers & Jeers.

Affiliate news – St. John’s IceCaps:

The Telegram:  Getting to know Jason Gregoire.  The Winnipeg native and current member of the IceCaps gives some insight into his tweeting world.

Next opponent news – Philadelphia Flyers:

Philadelphia Inquirer:  Now it’s Flyers touching third rail of fan relations.  They are amongst the toughest fans in the game and it remains to be seen how Brzygalov handles this relationship as the Flyers try to prevent the ship from sinking.

Philadelphia Daily News:  Kubina wants to stay with Flyers.  Not many players are happy to give up the taste of free agency.  Will be interesting to see if Kubina is singing the same tune after the season ends.

Press of Atlantic City:  Bryzgalov’s words more disturbing than his play.  The Jets are partly responsible for this Russian tenders bizarre behaviour after that crazy 9-8 win in Philadelphia, in which he gave up 4 goals on 10 shots.  After the game he dropped this line:

“I have zero confidence in myself right now,” he told reporters. “I am terrible. I will now apologize in front of the fans, in front of my teammates. I don’t know what’s going on. I have no answer for you guys. I thought in the last game against Montreal (when he allowed five goals on 28 shots), that nothing worse was going to happen. Today was worse.

CSN Philly:  Kubina ‘honoured’ to play alongside Jagr.  Jagr is strong like a bull so I can understand Kubina preferring to play behind him, rather than having to face off against the big Czech winger.