Day 9 interviews: In case you missed anything from Friday we spoke with Mason Appleton (watch here), Brayden Yager (watch here) as well as head coach Scott Arniel (watch here).
Note: The day began with the welcome news that the Jets would be signing long-time centre Bryan Little to a one day contract in order for him to retire as a Jet. And then for the second straight day bench boss Scott Arniel began his presser with a health update as he informed us that Logan Stanley would be having surgery on his knee which would keep him out of the lineup for a minimum of four weeks. He and the game group took off for St. Paul shortly thereafter as they were taking on the Wild last night in Minnesota. Much like what happened nine years ago to the day the Jets were pummeled by the Wild (8-1) although this time they managed to score a few more goals in their 8-5 loss this time around. They got goals from Cole Perfetti (here), Mason Appleton (here), Nikita Chibrikov (here), Brayden Yager‘s first as a Jet (here) and Morgan Barron (here).
Note II: Today is a day off although with there only being one session tomorrow the conventional thinking, which was confirmed by head coach Scott Arniel during his media availability, is that they will reduce the size of their training camp which is currently at 41 players (which includes Heinola & Stanley). It just wasn’t clear if they will do the cuts today or tomorrow.
Note III: Speaking of tomorrow, Sunday is the opening of Moose training camp. Manitoba released their training camp schedule which is here although the complete roster is unknown.
Note IV: Join us for two hours of hockey talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show which gets underway at 9 AM CT. We will discuss all the latest surrounding the NHL and AHL clubs of Winnipeg on the show.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets D-man Pionk still grieving loss of close friend Johnson. (Paywall). Really good chat between Ken and the Minnesotan.
Winnipeg Sun: Wild cruise past Jets with seven-goal second period. As they say on Seinfeld “Poppy was a bit sloppy” as the Jets commitment to team defence was a smidge lacking last night in St. Paul.
Winnipeg Sun: Bryan Little to sign one-day contract, retire as a Winnipeg Jet. Hard to believe it’s been five years since he was last on the ice.
Winnipeg Free Press: Hellebuyck struggles as Jets crumble in 8-5 Preseason loss to Wild. (Paywall). Last night might have been the last time we see some prospects in a Jets lineup but the young guns did make an impression.