Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Stuck in the middle.  No question this team needs to upgrade.  The problem they are dealing with is that Atlanta was in such a rush to achieve success that they didn’t bother to try and develop players similar to how Detroit does, using the AHL to its best advantage.  Of the Red Wings roster this season, 7 of 15 forwards went through Grand Rapids before playing for the big club as well 4 of the 7 d-men and 2 of their 3 goalies.  Will be interesting to see which route the Jets take next season.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Dark days behind him.  When you go through the type of adversity he has, it is important to see that the player has learned from his past mistakes and will look to avoid a similar type of situation in the future.  One can appreciate his candor as he suggests to the Free Press that instead of telling them what he thinks they want him to say, he goes with the truth.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Tailgate party at News Café.  If you haven’t had a chance to talk Jets with some of the Free Press reporters here is your opportunity.  You can also join the Illegal Curve squad at The Cheer Bar and Grill tonight at 6:00 pm, where we host every Jets away game.

Winnipeg Sun:  Great too late.  Paul doesn’t hold back as well he shouldn’t given that a similar effort at any other point in the season could have been the difference between playing hockey into April and playing golf.

Winnipeg Sun:  Wheeler not ready to start watching.  He should be angry and not satisfied.  End of day this team’s goal was to make the playoffs and they failed to achieve it.  Hopefully he takes that anger, lets it fester for a summer and comes into next season hungrier.  Some other news on Spencer Machacek making a case to stay in NHL.  Kane in impressive company.  Hainsey in the Hangar.  Games still mean something.

Winnipeg Sun:  Follow Florida model, Jets.  Did Florida win the Southeast or did Washington lose it?  Coincidentally this might not be known until the Panthers play in Washington tonight.  I’m not so sure I would follow the Panthers model as a recipe for success, considering they are going to limp their way into the playoffs with a 3-2-5 record in their last 10 and are not expected to do much in the post season.  It isn’t veterans that this Jets team is lacking, but youthful talent that can bolster some of the arsenal in Claude Noel’s bag of tricks.

Winnipeg Sun:  Ladd lauds Jets as first-class operation.  Always helpful for an organization when their players let other guys from around the league know the difference between fact and fiction.

Winnipeg Sun:  Overtime (video).  Nicole Dubé and Ted Wyman recap the inaugural season for the Winnipeg Jets.

CBC:  Making the meaningless, meaningful.  As was stated above, it is one thing to play well when the pressure to win isn’t at its highest.  The play of the call-ups, especially Spencer Macheck has been quite impressive and should be remembered when assessing this team for next season.

Affiliate news – St. John’s IceCaps:

Note:  Signed Zach O’Brien (Acadie-Bathurst Titan of QMJHL) to an amateur tryout contract.  Re-assigned Chris Carrozzi to Ontario Reign (ECHL).  Paul Postma also named to the 2011/12 AHL 1st All-Star team.

Portland Press Herald:  Pirates bounce back to win.  The IceCaps came out flat and were handed a 5-1 defeat by a desperate Pirates team who are fighting for their playoff lives.

Next opponent news – New York Islanders:

Newsday:  Tavares making huge strides.  I cannot believe that there has not been an Islanders player since Ziggy Palffy in 1997-98 to hit 80 points.   John Tavares (31 g 48 a for 79 p) will try and achieve 80 tonight against the Jets.