Note: Most of the Jets hit the ice for a practice on Wednesday and the five that didn’t (DeMelo, Pionk, Appleton, Ehlers and Hellebuyck) were ruled to be taking a maintenance day. Lots of interesting insight from Brandon Tanev (watch here) and Kyle Connor (watch here). Today they are scheduled to hit the ice at 11 AM CDT for a second straight day of practice in Winnipeg as they gear up for a visit from the Stars who they will face on Friday. Check back for the Practice Report.
Note II: The Moose held a practice on Wednesday morning before they took off for Chicago later that afternoon. They will begin a critical four-game stretch against Central Division opponent starting tonight against the Wolves. Puck drop is at 7 PM CDT.
Note III: In the OHL prospect Jacob Julien (2023 5th) had himself a hat trick of assists last night for London. He’s got 10G 41A for 51 points in 62 games although he has been more productive of late (Nine points in last six games and he has six points in the four games since he signed his ELC with Winnipeg). Over on the WHL prospect Brayden Yager (2023 1st) had a pair of assists for Lethbridge which got him to 200 assists in his WHL career (in 262 games).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: You can’t make rivalries: Jets’ Vilardi says NHL playoff format flawed. The idea that two behemoth teams (for now the Stars/Avs) could be a round 1 knockout is stupid. Paul spoke with the Jets top line winger to get his insight.
Winnipeg Sun: Real arms race starts now: Jets’ Vilardi, Connor, like what they see. I recall seeing a graphic of the last five Cup winners and most of them nibbled around the edges rather than making big splashes at the deadline. We’ve become conditioned to the idea that if you don’t make big moves then you can’t win the Cup.
Winnipeg Free Press: Fleury always ready for the big stage. (Paywall). Wieber wrote about the versatility of the Jets third pairing D man.
Sportsnet: Rugged Luke Schenn might have arrived at the right time for playoff-bound Jets. He has the air of being the only player in the room to have “been there, done that” and by there and that I mean win a Stanley Cup (which he’s done twice). He brings that plus other elements that this team was in desperate need of ahead of some potentially rugged playoff series.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic Winnipeg: Which team has the edge in the NHL’s ultra-competitive Central Division? (Paywall). Murat attempts to answer the question who is best built to win this year.
Global News: Playoff feel already here as Jets take on Stars in Central Division heavyweight matchup. The players and coaching staff don’t appear to be biting on this being anything more than game 67 on the calendar and it is worth remembering what happened in “statement games” last year in the regular season when the Jets tuned the Avs which amounted to jack squat in the playoffs.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: Which team will represent Western Conference in Stanley Cup Final? The Hockey Central panel makes their case for who they believe will win out the West and represent the conference in the Stanley Cup final.
