Note: The Jets are in offseason mode but is there really ever an offseason? If there is any news we will have it for you here. Like yesterday’s Letter to the Fanbase from the team. Also Dylan Samberg being named to Team USA for the World Championship. As well as Josh Morrissey not being a Norris Trophy finalist. And of course the Illegal Curve Hockey Show runs until the end of July so be sure you’re a subscriber and join us every Saturday morning at 9 AM.
Note II: The Moose didn’t hit the ice on Thursday following their game 3 OT win the night before. They did celebrate as a team the announcement that captain Jimmy Oligny had been named the winner of the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award as AHL Man of the Year. He’s been nominated four times and that was the first time he has won that award. He becomes the second winner in the history of the organization with current Director of Player Development for the Jets Jimmy Roy being the only other. Today the focus returns to on the ice as Manitoba looks to punch their ticket to the next round if they can win game 4 tonight. Puck drop is at 7 PM CDT.
Note III: The Ice were off on Thursday as they gain some valuable rest/recovery ahead of the WHL Championship series against a still to be decided opponent (either Seattle or Kamloops). We did learn yesterday that the series gets underway here in Winnipeg in one week’s time. They are off again today and will be back on the ice tomorrow for practice.
Note IV: Jets prospect Brad Lambert had an assist as his Thunderbirds win game 4 in big fashion turning a game that was 3-3 into an 8-4 victory in Kamloops. Seattle now has a 3-1 series lead & they could close out the series at home on Saturday night in game 5. If they do, they face the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL Championship.
Note V: Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis and his Battalion look to win a pivotal game 5 at home in North Bay with the series with the Pete’s tied 2-2. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT.
Jets news:
Global News: With Jets eliminated, who should fans back in playoffs? I asked folks who follow us on our Instagram a similar type of question a few nights back which elicited quite a few responses. Some folks wanted either the Oilers/Leafs with a Canadian team not having won since 1993. Others wanted the Golden Knights for the reason Paul points out in the article below (i.e. all the Manitobans on the team) while others were hoping for former Jets head coach Paul Maurice. Even the Kraken, home of former Jets assistant/interim head coach Dave Lowry got some positive comments.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets out-scouted in their own back yard? Golden Knights make it look that way. If you want to spend time with the Stanley Cup this summer then it makes sense to cheer for Vegas because half the team will be bringing it back to Manitoba. Paul looks at the way the NHL’s second newest franchise has gone about building their team from the prairies.
Winnipeg Free Press: NHL snubs Morrissey for Norris consideration. (Paywall). Mike reacts to the omission of the Jets top pairing D man from the list of nominees.
The Athletic Winnipeg: 7 Winnipeg Jets decisions that will define the offseason. (Paywall). Murat’s seven decisions include: 1) What to do with Dubois. 2) Give Wheeler an honourable sendoff. 3) If in ‘win now’ mode, overpay Hellebuyck for a short-term contract. 4) Explore Hellebuyck’s trade value. 5) Assess Scheifele’s price. 6) Build a home for Ehlers. 7) Make room for young defencemen.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Jets audio:
Jets official site: Ground Control Podcast. Mitchell Clinton was joined by 680 CJOB’s Paul Edmonds and Jamie Thomas to reflect on the series between the Jets and Golden Knights. On top of that, Tyler Esquivel joins the episode to give a glimpse behind the scenes of the Runway series, and the group looks back on their favourite games and moments from the 2022-23 season.
Moose news:
Winnipeg Sun: Moose on verge of doing what Jets couldn’t. Plenty of good reasons to turn your attention to the AHL club of Winnipeg.
