Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Jets news:

TSN Radio 1290:  Hustler & Lawless interview with Blake Wheeler (audio link to MP3).  In addition to talking about his new contract, the Minnesotan said something that should make Jets fans very happy.  When asked about how Dustin Byfuglien looks (at the 7:57 mark) he said “People are going to be pretty fired up to see Buff play this year”.  When pressed further as to whether he (Buff) has been in a conditioning program Wheeler said “he’s going to open some eyes this year.  I think you are going to see a big time player in Dustin Byfuglien this year.  I’m happy he is on my team”.  And if this picture that was tweeted at us (Update: has now been deleted) as well as one Jim Toth tweeted are accurate (cannot confirm date of either), Jets fans are going to be very, very happy to see Buff come September.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Bogosian ‘extremely happy’ with Jets’ seven-year deal.  Somewhat challenges the myth that guys will refuse to sign in Winnipeg.  Of course some might counter that you need to overpay guys to keep them.  But for right now guys like Bogosian, Wheeler and Little are perfectly content making this place home for years to come.  Perhaps this notion that Winnipeg cannot attract quality free agents will be challenged when the Jets are competing in the playoffs as well as vying for the best available UFAs.

Winnipeg Free Press:  The Bogosian file.  Five fast facts about the Jets defenceman.

Winnipeg Sun:  Bogosian signs for 7 years and $36 million.  Ken covers all the terms of the deal as well as some nuggets from the Chevy presser.

Winnipeg Sun:  It’s payoff time for Jets.  Probably the biggest statement, and one which seemed to resonant with Jets fans on twitter, during the Kevin Cheveldayoff presser was this comment by the Jets GM “Fans in Winnipeg should know that Mark Chipman and David Thomson are committed to building a winner in this city.”  As Ken says in his article, the wallet has now been opened and it is time for the players to prove that there was value in these deals.

Winnipeg Sun:  Bogosian gears up for Olympic camp.  Always a positive when you are seen as a potential contributor for your country in the Olympics.

NHL.com:  With Bogosian secured, core in place for Jets.  The composition of this team is pretty firmly established as the last of the RFA deals got done on Monday.  Does this do enough to make the Jets a playoff team in your eyes?

SI.com:  Jets get lit up in new contract for Zach Bogosian.  Seems to be a lot of absolute certainty that the Jets were ‘lit up’ in these negotiations.  The assertion being that Winnipeg (the city) cannot possibly be a desirable place to play so they got burnt in the negotiations.  Quite the statement.   Of course, anyone who has spoken to Zach Bogosian for any length of time knows his feelings about playing in this city.

USA Today: 10 predictions for the 2013-14 NHL season.  Kevin Allen looks ahead to next season and his point #8 should be of interest to Jets fans, although they will likely not be happy if his prediction comes true.  Of course if the news about Dustin Byfuglien is true, this could significantly alter the Jets for next season.

Illegal Curve:  Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff conference call.  Listen to the Jets GM speak for almost 25 minutes as he discusses the Bogosian signing as well as a number of other topics.  For those unable to listen at work, you can read some of the highlights from the call.

Illegal Curve:  Jets defenceman Zach Bogosian conference call.  Listen as the Massena, NY native talks about his desire to stay in the Peg’ long term and other reasons he signed a seven year deal with the Jets organization.