Note: NHL Free agency opens today at 11 AM CT. What will the Winnipeg Jets do? Traditionally this isn’t the busiest of days in Winnipeg but if 2020 has taught up anything it is to expect the unexpected. Which means you should keep it locked here for any moves made by the local NHL club.
Note II: One name that isn’t on a free agency list but was mentioned as potentially being a piece for Winnipeg was former Jets centre Paul Stastny. Update: The deal has been made official by the Jets.
Note III: The first move made by the Jets once free agency kicked off was signing a familiar face as defenceman Nathan Beaulieu signed back with the club following his first full season in Winnipeg. It is a two-year contract and you can watch/listen to his full media availability here.
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: Paul Stastny gives Jets the opportunity to avoid a blockbuster and win now, too. (Paywall). Both of these are huge for Winnipeg. Murat with more on the big move.
Cochrane Now: Ty Bauer says he’ll fit in well with Winnipeg Jets. Hear from the Jets 6th round pick at the 2020 NHL Draft which was held on Wednesday as he speaks to his fit in the Winnipeg organization.
Sportsnet: Re-acquiring Paul Stastny will benefit Jets in multiple ways. Ken looks at the Jets heading back to the future with getting Paul Stastny back in the fold and he looks at the ways it will be a good thing for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Free Press: Pressure mounting on Jets GM to improve team. (Paywall). I said on our show that this is likely the most important “offseason” of Kevin Cheveldayoff’s career. Mike wrote about the important of getting things done this fall.
TSN: Jets looking at centre options. Seems to be setting itself up for a return of Paul Stastny (see above).
The Athletic Winnipeg: A Jets guide to free agency: ‘Be prepared for everything and expect anything’. (Paywall). Murat gets you prepped for what could go down here in ‘Peg City.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic: Grading the Winnipeg Jets draft class. (Paywall). After getting an average grade in 2019 he’s bumped the Jets up this last draft.
Winnipeg Sun: Cheveldayoff says Jets will continue to look for centre, D-man through trades and free agency. Ted looks at what the Jets GM had to say (or not say) during his media availabilities this past week. He also looks at the European flavour to the Jets drafting and the faith Cheveldayoff has in the NHL for next season.
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.
Jets audio:
Winnipeg Free Press: Jetcetera. The draft! Free agent frenzy! Trade rumours! Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre break down a busy week, looking at the newest prospects in the Winnipeg Jets pipeline and who they may be targeting for immediate help. Is Cole Perfetti a future franchise centre? Are they really going to trade Patrik Laine? Could Paul Stastny be on his way back? Will Travis Hamonic be coming home? Let the speculation run wild.
JetsTV: Ground Control Podcast. In the latest episode of Ground Control Jamie, Mitchell and Tyler discuss the 2020 NHL Draft as the Jets added four new players to the organization, including 10th overall pick, Cole Perfetti. The guys also preview free agency and chat about the recent signings of Laurent Brossoit and Dylan DeMelo. Jamie and Mitch are also joined by none other than the man of the hour, Cole Perfetti, to recap his draft experience, what he brings to the table as a player and much more.
