Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: The Jets held an optional skate on Friday as they prepared for the second game of their eight-game homestand which is this evening against the Red Wings. Lots of D talk as we heard from assistant coach Dean Chynoweth after skate. The team also announced they had placed Mason Appleton on IR retroactive to December 28th. An optional morning skate gets underway at 9:30 AM CST. Stay tuned for the pre-game report to ensure you’re up-to-date on the latest. Puck drop is at 6 PM CST.

Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Detroit, we want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show as we discuss and analyze the results of the game starting around 8:40 PM CST.

Note III: The Moose kicked off the first of five on the road last night in Calgary which got off to a good start (6-2 shot edge) before an unfortunate goal by the Wranglers gave the home team some momentum. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby got Manitoba on the board with a goal that gave him tally’s in back-to-back contests. In the middle frame Parker Ford got the visitors within one with this wrister. Then the Jets prospect line got into the act as Brad Lambert (2022 1st) found Chaz Lucius (2021 1st) for his third as he fired home this wrister late in the 3rd to bring the Moose back within one. And then with 1:24 left on the clock Mason Shaw tied the game 4-4 as he cleaned up the Lambert shot. The Moose would lose 5-4 in OT as they parted like the Red C (Cgy reference) but despite only picking up the single point they didn’t quit coming back from multiple multi goal deficits and scoring four times. Re-match is on Sunday night.

Note IV: It was a three point (1G 2A) night for Jets 2024 6th rounder Kieron Walton who is now within striking distance (3 points) of number 1 in the OHL points race (he’s 3rd overall). His best bud Kevin He (2024 4th) picked up his 25th goal of the season (tied for 5th overall in OHL in scoring) in a Niagara loss. His club lost to Jets 2023 5th rounder Jacob Julien who had two primary assists (including a bunt) in the Knights demolishing of the IceDogs. Jets 2023 1st rounder Colby Barlow struck quickly in the 1st for Oshawa with a little help from the defender’s stick. Jets 2023 3rd rounder Zach Nehring finished the game with a goal (GWG) and assist for Western Michigan.

Note V:  We’ve got two hours of Jets talk coming your way on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show starting at 9 AM CST as we look back at the week that was in Jetsland while also getting you set up ahead of tonight’s game between Winnipeg and Detroit.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: ‘Nobody gives a crap’: Jets keep reminding it’s playoffs that matter. One thing about Nikolaj Ehlers is he never reads his own press clippings. He gives you the unvarnished truth.

Winnipeg Free Press: Heinola finding his stride. (Paywall). The blueliner had a lot of catching up to do this season given his surgery took him out for the first few months of it. Once he got started again he was already playing catch-up. Wieber has more on the Finnish defender.

Sportsnet: Jets storylines to watch in 2025: Can Perfetti become a driving force? That’s the $64,000.00 question although I should probably adjust that in today’s dollars since that’s a reference from a show in 1955 (I did and google tells me it’s $750,000). But my digression aside Jacob wrote about four things to watch in 2025 including: 1) Will Winnipeg acquire (useful) size on backend? 2) Preparing for life without Ehlers. 3) Can Cole Perfetti become a driver? 4) Can they make Kyle Connor a Jet for life?

Sportsnet: Connor Hellebuyck making case for Hart. I always find it humourous when an article like this comes out right after a less than stellar performance which loss to the Ducks is discussed in the piece which makes the case, as many around these parts have done, for the top goalie in Winnipeg to be in MVP consideration.