Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  I will be taking off for the weekend to enjoy some fishing in Lake of the Woods.  In my absence Drew Mindell (aka @icdrew) Host of the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN Radio 1290, will fill in in my stead.  I will be back on Tuesday, hopefully after catching all the Walleye in the lake.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Ex-Predator Halischuk brings ‘hard game’ to ‘Peg.  Ed had a chance to catch up with the newest member of the Jets and got a description of his game.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets snap up Matt Halischuk from Predators.  A little more depth on the right side.  Will be interesting to see whether he ends up with the Jets or with the IceCaps.

On the Forecheck:  Matt Halischuk season review.  For more on the Jets newest acquisition head over to our friends at this Predators site as they had a chance to watch him for a couple of seasons and give an assessment on his performance from last season.

Illegal Curve:  Toews takes on Bogosian at The Rumble at the Ridge II.  The second edition of The Rumble at the Ridge Celebrity Pro-Am takes place Tuesday, July 16th at Pine Ridge Golf Club as part of The Players Cup week. This year, Winnipeg Jets defensemen Zach Bogosian takes on Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews in golf battle for the ages.

NHL news:

Star Ledger:   Ilya Kovalchuk ‘retirement’ is a disaster for Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Many were unhappy with the timing of this announcement.  The Devils had to forfeit their 1st Round pick in 2014 (ironically because of the Kovalchuk contract) and they were unable to sign free agent David Clarkson, because their money was tied up (so they thought) in the Russian superstar.  The always opinionated Jeremy Roenick had quite a bit to say on twitter when the news broke;

Kovalchuk is as selfish as they come!!!! I’m appalled. I feel bad for all u devils fans. U deserve better than that!!

— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

Star Ledger:  Ilya Kovalchuk leaves Devils in shock after retiring from NHL.  Perhaps he didn’t want to let former Devils draft pick Matt Halischuk have the spotlight to himself as just after it was announced that the Jets had signed the UFA, the Devils star shocked the world by announcing his retirement from the NHL.  Of course it is important to note that he simply retired from the NHL and is expected to sign a huge contact to play in the KHL.

Globe and Mail:  Wendel Clark comparisons unfair to David Clarkson.  Better to accept the player for what he can actually produce as opposed to having unrealistic expectations.