Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: The focus tonight for everyone in the hockey world is Canada vs the United States in Montreal. It pits Jets Josh Morrissey against Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck which will be a game within the game to keep tabs on.

Note II: The Moose looked really good last night as they did battle with the Stars who sit 1st in the Central. After taking the game on Wednesday they were looking to make it three straight and they got off to a good start. They built themselves a 2-0 lead on goals by Ben King and Mason Shaw. Some unfortunate bounces got Texas back into the game and they skated away with a 4-2 win. Manitoba are scheduled to practice before they conclude the six-game homestand with a pair of games against the Admirals starting on Sunday. They are scheduled to practice today.

Note III: It was a busy night for Jets prospects in the OHL, WHL and NCAA. Starting out east Kevin He (2024 4th) had an assist, Jacob Julien (2023 5th) with 1G 1A, while Colby Barlow (2023 1st) continues to overcome slow start finishing with 1G 2A and while he is not a prospect of Winnipeg he was doing battle with Barlow so I clipped a pair of goals from ‘Mad’ Max  Namestnikov, the younger brother of Jets centre Vlad who did attend last season’s prospect development camp. Out west Brayden Yager (2023 1st) remains on first picking up 3A last night which gives him 17 points in his last six games.

Note IV: Reminder we are on hiatus this week so no Illegal Curve Hockey Show as we rest and recharge our batteries. We are back in business with the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on February 22nd as well as an Illegal Curve Post-Game Show later that night when the Jets return to action in St. Louis against the Blues. Subscribe here.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Jets advise younger selves: ‘You have no idea what you’re in for’. Seems like just yesterday we were in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Sunrise for these three drafts and yet it’s over a decade later where we find Josh Morrissey, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor as grizzled vets on the Jets. Great column idea by Paul as he takes a stroll down memory lane with this trio.

Winnipeg Sun: Selanne ‘so excited’ to see Jets make a deep playoff run. No surprise to hear the Finnish Flash is still keeping tabs on his old team. His affinity for this city and wanting success for the market is pretty clear. 

Winnipeg Free Press: Trade deadline acquisitions rarely the difference in a successful Stanley Cup run. (Paywall). Mike did some homework looking at the last ten Cup winners to see what was the most effective trade deadline strategy. 

NHL.com: “It’s going to be unreal.”  Canada vs the United States or in this market Josh Morrissey vs Kyle Connor/Connor Hellebuyck. Should be a doozy.