Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  The Jets play their third exhibition game tonight as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup champion St.Louis Blues to town. There is no morning skate for the playing group but they will have a media availability at 11 AM so be sure to check back to the site for our pre-game report.  The non-playing group will be on the ice at 10:30 AM.  Puck drop is at 7 pm and will be followed with our usual post-game recap.

Note II:  The Winnipeg Ice officially kick off the 2019-20 regular season with a visit to provincial rival Brandon tonight where they will take on the Wheat Kings.  Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.  They will return to Winnipeg and take on the Wheat Kings again tomorrow night in their home debut also at 7:30 pm.

Note III: Tomorrow’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN Radio 1290 will focus on the Jets with the second half of the show completely dedicated to our Annual Regular Season Fantasy Hockey Preview. We have our three regular guests scheduled to join us (Gus Katsaros of McKeen’s Hockey, Pete Jensen of NHL.com and Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine and NHL.com) as we get you set for the 2019’20 Fantasy Hockey Season.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun:  You think Jets are high drama? Maurice says try Toronto.  For all the scrutiny that pro sports receive here in The Peg it doesn’t appear to come close to what goes down in southern Ontario.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets’ Laine says sorry.  Good on Laine for reaching out to clarify and good on Little for being understanding.  

Winnipeg Free Press:  McKenzie easing back into hockey.  (Paywall).  The kid plays the game at warp speed.  

Winnipeg Free Press:  Laine apologizes to Little for how comments to Finnish media were interpreted.  (Paywall).  No doubt there was some lost in translation aspect to all of this and I suspect some advocacy by the Finnish journalist on Laine’s behalf.

The Athletic:  Why it’s a good time to be shopping for a D-man.  (Paywall).  It sure seems like the option of Julius Honka in Dallas (who has requested a trade from the Stars) would be best for Winnipeg and potentially least expensive (Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun wrote about this in July).  LeBrun has been on the Faulk or Ristolainen train for some time.

The Athletic Winnipeg:  As Dustin Byfuglien contemplates future, supportive Jets carry on in earnest.  (Paywall).  Ken provides his thoughts on the situation with the Jets big man and also the reaction of 33’s teammates.

NHL.com:  Laine apologizes to Jets linemate Little for comments.  Hopefully now the “controversy” has been put to rest.

Sportsnet:  31 Thoughts.  The entire preamble (Byfuglien) as well as thoughts 1 (Jets had interest in Ben Hutton before he signed with LA), 2 (Dynamic between the Jets and Laine) and 3 (Jets cap tied up in wingers). 

TSN:  Ehlers hopes studying his own game pays off.  The Dynamic Dane should be ready to take his game to the next level in 2019-20.

Jets video:

Sportsnet: Jets asking price right now for Laine has to be ‘sky high’.  HC host Jeff Marek joins Good Show to explain why the Jets asking price right now for Patrik Laine should be “sky high,” starting with an established NHL d-man, prospects, and high first round picks.

Jets audio:

TSN 690 Montreal:  Byfuglien may have lost his love for the game.  TSN 1290’s Rick Ralph joined the show to talk the sky falling in Winnipeg including the ongoing Dustin Byfuglien situation, his first thoughts when he heard the news he was taking a leave of absence, Patrick Laine trade rumors and more. 

TSN 690 Montreal:  Never seen the turnover Jets are having.  The Athletic’s Murat Ates joined the show from Winnipeg to talk the continued upheaval around the Jets including Connor and Laine, Laine’s comments in the Finnish paper, the Dustin Byfuglien situation, trying to predict the Jets next move and more.

Ice news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Krebs returns as Ice captain.  The province’s newest hockey team has selected their leadership group ahead of the 2019-20 season which gets underway tonight as they head over to Brandon.