Note: We will have three extra Illegal Curve Hockey shows this month including tomorrow night’s show which will focus on the Seattle Expansion Draft. We will also be covering the 1st round of the NHL Draft on Friday July 23rd as well as a Free Agency Round Up show on Wednesday July 28th. You can read our Press Release here.
Note II: There was some Manitoba Moose news on Monday as the team has hired former assistant coach Mark Morrison to be the new head coach for the AHL club based out of Winnipeg. You can read more about Morrison here as well as watch his first media interview here.
Jets news:
Global News: Jets hockey boss Kevin Cheveldayoff prepares for busy ‘GM’s week’. Interesting comment picked up by CJOB’s Kelly Moore that would seem to suggest (although with how closely Kevin Cheveldayoff holds his cards may be nothing) that it would appear they do not have a deal in place with Seattle.
NHL.com: Jets seeking to add defensemen after Expansion Draft, GM says. See my comment below as to what the Jets will have to do if they lose Dylan DeMelo. Even if the Jets lose Mason Appleton the team will still need to make a significant addition to the right side of the D.
Winnipeg Sun: Already thin on the right side of blue-line, things will get worse for Jets if Kraken takes DeMelo. Thin is an understatement and that isn’t hyperbole. Folks seems to think you can snap your fingers in free agency and fill holes but if that was the case why didn’t that get done last summer for Winnipeg? It is because it isn’t that easy and the Jets right side D prospects in Johnny Kovacevic and Leon Gawanke will likely need another season in the AHL before they are ready to make the jump which makes for one giant chasm on the right side.
Sportsnet: Exposing DeMelo to expansion draft a risky move for Jets’ Cheveldayoff. Ken’s last line will certainly be the most relevant if the Jets end up losing DeMelo and do not hit two home runs in free agency or via trade.
The Hockey News: Five greybeard UFA centers who’ve still got it. No beard in this photo but that doesn’t preclude Paul Stastny from cracking this list.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Moose news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Morrison back with Moose. (Paywall). A familiar face takes over a new spot with the local AHL club.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets tag old friend Morrison to guide Moose. Morrison certainly expressed his desire to be in that role with Manitoba.
Expansion Draft news:
The Hockey News: Seattle Mock Expansion Draft 3.0: A Final Crack at the Kraken. While Twitter would have you believe that it is unanimous that Dylan DeMelo is as good as gonzo (as is the case in this mock draft) some do believe it will be Mason Appleton who is ultimately selected by the Seattle Kraken.
Sportsnet: Mock NHL Expansion Draft: Who will the Seattle Kraken choose? Another draft that has Seattle taking DeMelo from Winnipeg.
NHL.com: Mock 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. For this mock they’ve got Appleton selected by the Kraken.
NHL Draft news:
TSN: Power pulls away from crowded draft field. With the draft quickly approaching check out Bob McKenzie’s list.
