Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  This is day 113 since the NHL hit the pause button on the 2019-20 season.

Note II:  It was quite the Canada Day as we learned from TSN Insider Bob McKenzie that Toronto and Edmonton have been selected to serve as hub cities in the NHL’s Return to Play plan.  Of course there is still quite a bit that needs to happen in order for hockey to actually return but for now that mystery has been solved.

Note III:  We’ll be recording another Illegal Curve Hockey Zoomcast/CurveCast this evening and will be joined by Dustin Nielson from TSN 1260 Edmonton.  Be sure to follow us on YouTube (hit that subscribe button) for the latest episode.

Jets news:

NHL.com:  Jets training camp preview.  With training camp scheduled to get going in under a week and a half Tim Campbell takes a look at the team, a player to watch, the biggest question for the Jets, some injury updates, a fresh face, telling stat, quotable and his projected lineup.

TSN:  Free Agent Frenzy Top 50.  Normally yesterday would have been spent figuring out who the Jets signed and who was heading elsewhere.  On Frank’s list are two current Jets and one recent Jet although I think it is pie in the sky dreaming to think Dustin Byfuglien is coming back to play in the NHL.  Number 45 on the list is the one player that I suspect folks around here are hoping will be signed to a multi-year year deal by Winnipeg.

Sportsnet:  Ordering the top 24 Stanley Cup contenders.  Don’t go ordering that Alexis Lafrenière jersey just yet as he has the Jets in the tenth spot.

Illegal Curve:  Ice select Jets draft pick Henri Nikkanen in 2020 CHL Import Draft.  He is certainly a Winnipeg draft pick that I thought bore watching last summer and I think it would be a big advantage for the Jets if they could watch him develop here in Winnipeg in the WHL.

Illegal Curve: Jets prospects Kristian Vesalainen and David Gustafsson developed chemistry on and off the ice in push to make the NHL.  Finland and Sweden are intense hockey rivals but for these two Jets prospects they’ve been able to form a strong bond as they fight to get to the top level in pro hockey.

Jets video:

TSN:  Jets’ biggest storyline and advantage heading into series vs. Flames.  Sara Orlesky and Craig Button join Gino Reda to discuss the biggest story for the Jets when camp opens up, the biggest advantage Winnipeg will have against Calgary in the play-in round, and what Paul Maurice will do with his lineup.

NHL news:

TSN: How did NHL come to decision to select Edmonton, Toronto as its hub cities? TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie details how the NHL came to the decision to select Edmonton and Toronto as its hub cities, and has the latest on the Return to Play proposal between the league and players’ union.

Sportsnet: Olympic participation part of NHL/NHLPA CBA negotiations.  Olympics good.  Going to China in 2022 maybe not so much. 

Winnipeg Free Press:  Toronto, Edmonton to serve as NHL hubs.  (Paywall).  Mike gives you his take on the selection of these two spots as hub cities for the NHL.