Note: It was a busy two days for the Jets at the 2020 NHL Draft held virtually. The team made four picks (Cole Perfetti, Daniel Torgersson, Anton Johannesson and Tyrel Bauer) over the course of two days. On Wednesday the team also announced they had signed Dylan DeMelo to a four-year contract and held an availability with the newly signed defenceman just before the draft got underway. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff held an end of day two press conference with included a reflection on the selections made by Winnipeg, the signing of Dylan DeMelo and a look ahead to free agency.
Note II: Normally we’d be switching focus to Jets prospect development camp but instead it will be a focus on free agency which starts Friday.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Plenty of depth options to augment Jets’ roster. If ever there was a year that a GM will have options this is that year. Scott looks into the many opportunities for Kevin Cheveldayoff and company.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets continue to stock up on forward prospects, draft Swedish winger Torgersson in second round. While Winnipeg has become Finnipeg over the years there has been an influx of Swedish prospects as well.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ pick Perfetti plans to come to training camp with chip on his shoulder. There was some discussion on twitter as to whether this was a negative but hearing Perfetti speak on Tuesday night it felt simply like something a player intended on using as motivation and I didn’t take anything negative from what he said. And when you hear him speak you get the sense that he doesn’t focus on negative anyways.
Winnipeg Sun: Stability, family and life-changing money for Jets’ DeMelo. You really got the sense of just how appreciative DeMelo is for this opportunity to set down roots.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Sportsnet: DeMelo signing an important starting point for Jets, but work remains. Ken reacts to the newest signing by Winnipeg and also looks ahead at what still needs to get done.
The Athletic: A near-perfect 24 hours for Jets: Cole Perfetti, Dylan DeMelo, solid draft adds. (Paywall). Murat reflects on the moves made by the Jets from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets GM ‘comfortable’ with how draft unfolded. (Paywall). After hitting a home run in the 1st round and signing DeMelo the rest of the draft was gravy.
Winnipeg Free Press: DeMelo excited to build a life in Winnipeg with the Jets. (Paywall). This is a solid signing by Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
CBC: ‘1st choice was Winnipeg’: Dylan DeMelo thrilled to re-sign with Jets to 4-year, $12M deal. He would have been coveted as a UFA on Friday but choose to stay with Winnipeg which is a good sign to players elsewhere who have to contemplate signing in Manitoba.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: Lingering questions for Canadian teams after marathon draft. Elliotte Friedman joined Tim and Sid to talk about the NHL draft, how some big players are still potentially on the trade market, and what some Canadian teams are still looking to address.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Perfetti has the upside to be a point per game player in the NHL. Grant McCagg of Recrutes.ca joined Rick Ralph and Paul Edmonds on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Winnipeg Jets selection of Cole Perfetti at 10th overall, when he might be ready to play in the NHL, why he fell to number ten, the Jets second round pick of Daniel Torgersson and the rest of the memorable moments from the 2020 NHL Draft.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: DeMelo gives Jets stability on defense. They discussed Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s phone bill during the NHL Draft, the Jets re-signing Dylan DeMelo, the types of additional moves the Jets are looking to make, what we might see when free agency opens on Friday and Ottawa’s performance at the NHL Draft.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: DeMelo fit right in with the Jets. TSN Jets play-by-play voice Dennis Beyak joined Rick Ralph and Paul Edmonds on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Winnipeg Jets draft selections, Dylan DeMelo’s new four year contract and if the team will look to acquire another defenseman.
