Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Waiting to see if Byfuglien joins team in Florida.  Buff was taking care of a family matter and is set to re-join the Jets prior to the game against the Panthers tomorrow night.  Coach Noel said today following practice that Meech would go in if Byfuglien was unable to play but it didn’t sound like he was too concerned.

Illegal Curve:  Coach Noel post-practice audio following practice in Florida.  Status of Byfuglien.  Concern over snowstorm in midwest.  Meech possibility.   Miettinen maybe in with Jokinen.  Expectations from goalies.  How many power play goals per game do they have to score to get to 45,000?  Part Pavelec plays in PK.  Does the group have more confidence playing on road due to last trip?  Divisional games.  Best way to get into the playoffs?

Winnipeg Free Press:  Mediocrity keeps fans on edge.  It is enough to give Jets fans an ulcer.  Being on the bubble means you ride the highs and lows and the roller coaster doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.  Gary also touches on missing Enstrom, the Jets UFAs, Pavelec finding his game, Buff picking his spots, Wright has right stuff, RFAs and Finnish connection.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Battle lost, but war rages on.  Due to the Jets slow start every game is critical as the season progresses.  It is inexplicable why the teams has seen a reversal of last year’s home vs. road success but they will have to hope that continues for next week and then figure out how to win at the MTS Centre since upon their return they play six of eight at home.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Notebook.  Miettinen or Wellwood.  Peluso’s injury.  Jets PP.  Kane’s streak.  Pavelec’s numbers.

Winnipeg Sun:  Will the Winnipeg Jets find a road to redemption?  While the Jets haven’t been too strong at the friendly confines of the MTS Centre they have been doing well on the road.  They will need to maintain this road warrior mentality as they have three of the four road games against Southeast division rivals.  A clean two points in these games will be essential for playoff chances.

Winnipeg Sun:  Claude Noel not hung up on team’s power-play stats.  Coach Noel had the media doing double takes the other day during his post-game presser when he was dismissive of stats and then almost within the same breath used a stat to make his point.  The only stats that matter are 14.3% (25th ranked PP) and 72.7% (30th ranked PK).  The good news for the Jets is the PK has improved from a woeful 67% just a few games ago.  On the Illegal Curve Hockey Show, Jeremy Weiss broke down some of the problems with the Jets power play and illustrated same for our readers.

Winnipeg Sun:  Fan doubles up on 50/50 wins.  We talked about this double win on Friday and with almost 80K in winnings, fans are going to be seeing what they can do to emulate his winning ways.

CBC:  Identity crisis plagues Jets.   We are nearing the half way point in this shortened season and we are about to learn what type of team the Jets really are.  A strong road trip will go a long way to ensuring this team can possibly compete in the post season.

Illegal Curve:  Jets power play dissected.  Jeremy Weiss from Weiss Tech Hockey gave us his insight on the problems with the Winnipeg Jets special teams. (video).

Jets affiliate news:

The Telegram:  IceCaps swept at home again.  The playoffs are getting farther and farther away from the IceCaps as they slip into 14th spot in the Eastern Conference after a pair of losses this weekend.

NHL news:

Chicago Sun-Times:  Patrick Kane, Blackhawks extend streak to 22, admit this is ‘amazing’.  This run is remarkable and this game against the Red Wings was seen as the biggest challenge to Chicago maintaining this streak.  Next few games are against Minnesota (6th), two against Colorado (13th), Oilers (14th), Blue Jackets (15th).

Globe and Mail:  Racial equality and the last doorway.  The coaching ranks remain pretty uniform.

Edmonton Journal:  Willing bodyguards can’t find NHL work.  Sure seems like some teams have no problems employing and finding work for these types of players.

Illegal Curve Hockey Show Replay:

Part 1:  Ryan O’Reilly offer sheet: The Calgary perspective.  Ryan O’Reilly offer sheet: The Colorado perspective.  NHL News & Notes.  Is the Blackhawks’ streak the most impressive streak in hockey in the past ten years?  Seth Jones & Jonathan Drouin.  Interview with Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.

Part 2:  Winnipeg Jets week in review.  Interview with Joe Beninati, play-by-play voice of the Washington Capitals for Comcast Sportsnet Washington.  Winnipeg Jets week ahead.  Interview with Jeremy Weiss of Weiss Tech Hockey.  Can Andrew Ladd keep up the scoring pace? Are the Jets playing Ron Hainsey increased minutes to enhance his trade value?  Rapid Fire, Cheers & Jeers.