Note: It was the start of Free Agency in the NHL on Tuesday but the biggest news was about the move that didn’t happen as we learned via Bob McKenzie that Nikolaj Ehlers wasn’t expected to make his decision yesterday and that it would more likely come today. We are still waiting to see what happens with Mason Appleton as well. Stay tuned for that and any other moves that happen now that things are in full swing. There were still plenty of moves made which are outlined below.
Note II: First we talk about the adds with the Jets signing Cole Koepke to a one-year deal, Tanner Pearson also to a one-year deal and then late they added Phil Di Giuseppe to a one-year, two-way deal as well as Kale Clague to a two-way deal.
Note III: The subtractions from the organization were more numerous including Brandon Tanev to Utah (three-year deal), Dylan Coghlan to Vegas (one-year deal), Dominic Toninato to Chicago (two-year, two-way deal) and Simon Lundmark to Tampa Bay (two-year, two-way deal).
Note IV: It’s not all about free agency around these parts as it was Day 2 of Jets Development Camp. We spoke with prospects Kevin He | Jacob Julien | Alfons Freij. We’ll be back at hockey for all centre today so stay tuned for more prospect coverage.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: New Jet Tanner Pearson making peace with year-to-year NHL existence. Similar to what Haydn Fleury did perhaps he can parlay a one-year show me what you got deal into something more which can work for both the player and the organization.
Winnipeg Sun: Cole Koepke looks to put speed, physicality to good use for Jets. Adding more competition isn’t a bad thing.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets win some, lose some; Ehlers takes his time in free agency. (Paywall). Ken provides you with his assessment of where things stand after one day of free agency.
Winnipeg Free Press: Early-season struggles helped Barlow grow as a player and a person. (Paywall). After being dealt from Owen Sound to Oshawa the start that Jets 2023 1st rounder Colby Barlow had was one to forget and one that likely cost him a shot of playing for Canada at the World Juniors. But the adversity may serve him well in the long run.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic Winnipeg: What’s next for the Winnipeg Jets after a quiet first day of free agency? (Paywall). I suspect more than a few folks are hoping that 27 signs on the dotted line. Murat gives you his take on where things stand.
Jets video:
TSN: Where is the likely landing spot for Ehlers? From the outside, it appears that Nik Ehlers will not be back in Winnipeg, but hasn’t made any decision as of yet to where he wants to go. Where is the likely landing spot for the winger? Who is the biggest winner of the offseason so far? TSN’s Frankie Corrado joins Jay Onrait with more.
TSN: Who needs to sign Nikolaj Ehlers the most? The TSN panel breaks down who need to sign free agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers the most.
TSN: Sawyer ‘not surprised’ by Jets’ patient approach to start free agency. Kevin Sawyer joins James Duthie and Free Agent Frenzy to explain why he isn’t surprised by the Jets lack of activity to start and why he expects them to be patient moving forward.
Sportsnet: Why Ehlers could take pay cut for right team and situation. Elliotte Friedman joins Kyper and Bourne to discuss unrestricted free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, saying the Washington Capitals are preparing a big pitch to the forward and that he could take a pay cut for the right team and situation.
