Note: The Jets took Friday off as after playing a pair of back-to-backs in Ottawa and Nashville this week which saw them win once and lose once. Biggest lineup question mark is the status of Morgan Barron who we were told was an option for either of the two road games but he didn’t play in either. Morning skate gets underway at 10:30 AM CST so 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 Philadelphia, 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 were looking to move into a tie in the standings with the Wild but they’d need to earn themselves a sweep of their two-game set with the Senators last night in Belleville. The post-season is unlikely but a third straight win would at least help them gain ground. Despite scoring the first goal of the game and getting a fantastic road hockey save from Jets D prospect Elias Salomonsson it wasn’t enough as the Sens took it 5-3. Manitoba will wrap up the six-game road trip this afternoon in Toronto against the Marlies. Puck drop is at 3 PM CST.
Note IV: Our Friday night prospect watch saw lots of the kids in the systems eating their apples. Out in the OHL it was Kieron Walton (2024 6th) who picked up a familiar looking primary assist while Colby Barlow (2023 1st) did as well, both in losing causes. Going west to the WHL we saw Brayden Yager (2023 1st) get an assist and also have an unsuccessful shootout attempt. Taking it to the NCAA it was an apple for Minot, North Dakota’s Zach Nehring (2023 3rd) who picked up a primary assist as his Broncos won their first ever Penrose Cup as NCHC regular season champs. Goalie prospect Thomas Milic, who was just reassigned to the ECHL, got his second shutout of the season for Norfolk making 21 saves.
Note V: With less than a week until the trade deadline we will preview things for Winnipeg as well as setting up the game later than night between the Jets and Flyers on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show this morning starting at 9 AM CST. Guests include Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg and Anthony SanFilippo (On Pattison) who covers the Flyers.
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: Winnipeg Jets trade targets: 6 under-the-radar players they could add at the deadline. (Paywall). Going off the board with Murat.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets look to keep home win streak intact against the Flyers. Gordon sets the table ahead of the game this evening.
Winnipeg Free Press: Can Chevy work his magic once again? (Paywall). We will know in less than one week’s time.
Global News: Jets’ winning streak is over. Why is that a good thing? While it’s clear there are things for the Jets to work on it’s not simply a Winnipeg thing following the 4 Nations break. Look at Washington (lost two straight) or Edmonton (five straight losses) and you can see other upper echelon teams are dealing with worse right now. Again that’s not to suggest all is well. Clearly the PP has hit a bit of a snag of late. It’s just not time to hit the panic button (again not that that’s what John is suggesting).
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Sportsnet: End of latest win streak just a mere blip on the radar for high-flying Jets. With it not really looking like a very exciting market it really does make you wonder if the Jets will mostly stand pat and simply augment rather than make substantive changes to this group. Can’t wait for next Friday.
Jets video:
CBC Manitoba: Are the Winnipeg Jets getting enough respect? The Jets are soaring at the top of the NHL standings, battling for first place with the Washington Capitals. Their remarkable 11-game win streak may have ended, but their dominance continues. Are they getting the recognition they deserve? Managing Editor of The Hockey News, Edward Fraser, shares an outsider’s perspective on the Jets’ season and what their focus should be heading into the playoffs.
TSN: What are the Winnipeg Jets biggest Trade Deadline needs? Bryan Hayes, Jeff O’Neill and Jonas Siegel were joined by TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button to discuss how the Winnipeg Jets should approach the Trade Deadline and how much is too much tinkering with an already elite team.
Jets audio:
Hockey PDOcast: Are the Winnipeg Jets getting enough respect? Dimitri Filipovic was joined by Dom Luszczyszyn to break down the wild card races in both conferences, and some of the biggest questions emerging in the Stanley Cup market. The pair spend about three minutes discussing the Jets with Dimitri asking Dom if the Jets are getting enough respect?
