Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: Friday was the final day of end of season media availability for the Jets.  We heard from head coach Paul Maurice which you can watch here and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff which you can watch here.

Note II:  While the focus this week is looking backwards we did take a quick peak ahead to the NHL Draft where the Jets will have the 18th overall selection (although for round 1 it will actually be pick number 17).

Note III:  Be sure to join us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show today as we will looking back at the Winnipeg Jets 2020-21 season this morning starting at 9:00 AM CDT. Today’s guests include Mike McIntyre (Winnipeg Free Press) and Martin Biron (Retired NHL goalie, Buffalo Sabres studio analyst for MSG). You’ll be able to watch via YouTube live here.  If you cannot watch live you will still be able to get the show via Podcast.

Jets news:

The Athletic Winnipeg: Projecting the protected list: Who’s staying with the Winnipeg Jets and who could be picked by the Seattle Kraken? (Paywall). While the expansion draft has been a topic of discussion throughout the year as different players (Stanley, Appleton) establish themselves in regular roles and could be options for selection it now becomes a topic du jour with the Jets eliminated from the playoffs.

Winnipeg Sun: Jets happy with Heinola’s development despite spending plenty of time on taxi squad. While the #FreeVille movement would like to see the 2019 1st rounder in the lineup every game it doesn’t seem like that urgency is there for the coaching staff.

Winnipeg Sun: Cheveldayoff praises work of Jets coaching staff, which suggests it will be status quo for 2021. Given that he didn’t address the biggest area of concern for the Jets it is hardly a surprise. Which makes one think this was something already expected between the two. 

Winnipeg Free Press: Maurice admits Jets’ blue-line ‘thin’ for past two seasons. (Paywall). As I’ve been saying for some time the biggest question mark for this team will be whether the up and coming D prospects (Heinola, Samberg, Kovacevic, Chisholm, etc) can be ready in time for the current crop of forwards. 

Winnipeg Free Press: Jets brass talks the talk, now they need to start walking the walk. (Paywall). The days of folks in Manitoba just being happy to have an NHL team back in Winnipeg are long gone. Those folks, both the ones who spend thousands on the team and the rest, want this team to achieve the next level (or three) of success.

Sportnset: With window to contend reopening, Jets face off-season full of potholes. Lots of question marks ahead for the Jets. Ken looks at the challenges the local NHL club will face this summer.

The Athletic Winnipeg: Six predictions for the Jets offseason based on the latest from Cheveldayoff & Maurice. (Paywall).  There was a lot to digest from the nearly 1.5 hrs of comments the two made on Friday and Murat gives you his six takeaways including: 1) Maurice will coach the Jets next season. 2) Plan is to lean into the current team’s chemistry. 3) There will be no great youth movement on defence. 4) They will attempt to bring in a top-four Dman. 5) More vets on the 4th line. 6) Bryan Little will not return.

TSN: Maurice maintains belief in Jets’ core. Not a huge surprise that he didn’t say “I don’t and think everyone needs to be traded”. The coaching staff has a lot of work to do this summer.

Jets video:

TSN: What do the Jets need to prioritize moving forward? Mike Johnson joins That’s Hockey to share his takeaways from the Jets’ postseason run and discuss what Winnipeg needs to prioritize moving forward.

TSN: Did Scheifele’s absence magnify other needs for the Jets? Mark Scheifele’s suspension was a crushing blow to the Jets, but did it magnify other needs Winnipeg should be looking into this offseason? Sara Orlesky joins That’s Hockey to discuss.

TSN: What are the Jets’ plans heading into the offseason? From the NHL Draft to the expansion Draft, this offseason will be busy for Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. He discusses their focus and what they’re looking for heading into next season.