Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler sum up the 2012-2013 season and why the team will be watching the playoffs from their respective homes instead of playing in them.
I think Wheeler sums it up best.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Jets Lose to Habs, Season Over
With the loss tonight against the Montreal Canadiens 4-2, the Winnipeg Jets 2012-2013 season is officially over. With both the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators winning their games tonight, a victory over the Habs would have been irrelevant.
Inconsistencies throughout the season and a late-season five-game losing streak (followed by, as it turns out, an immediate, though inconsequential five-game winning streak) is what will buy you a final positioning of ninth in the Eastern Conference. A rash of injuries doesn't help either, but then again, that didn't stop the Senators from clinching the last seed.
Now the mantra of Jets fans has to be "wait till next year." They got close last year, they were even closer this year with an overall record of 24-21-3. Good for 51 points. But not good enough. The fact of the matter is, sadly, the Jets just aren't good enough...yet. General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made no moves at the trade deadline, for reasons I still cannot fathom. I get they are sticking to their franchise game plan of building through the draft with a few free agents and waiver pick-ups, but a trade or two may have given them a little more pieces to the puzzle and a little spark that may have made the difference this year, at least as far as stumbling into the post-season.
But the building blocks are definitely there and a brighter future almost has to come to fruition. With the nucleus of the likes of Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien and Ondrej Pavelec; the future can only get brighter. Add to that the future additions of Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and possibly Adam Lowry.
The Winnipeg Free Press's Gary Lawless had this to say about the immediate future of the Jets:
"Next season, the organization will welcome Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry, getting an immediate upgrade of young talent.
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will have a lot of freedom in terms of contracts this summer and he'll be able to do some reshaping of the bottom end of his roster. He'll have to. The group he was left by the previous administration wasn't good enough, and so far, Cheveldayoff hasn't had much opportunity to retool. He will this off-season, with lots of salary-cap flexibility heading into an intriguing marketplace.
Most of the Jets' core pieces got better this season. Ladd, Little and Zach Bogosian took major steps. The same can be said to a lesser degree about Kane and Wheeler.
Now Cheveldayoff must get them more help.
Some players will have to go. Cheveldayoff needs to turn the soil this summer and bring in new answers to some of his problems.
Noel got more out of this roster this year than he did the year before. There have been some obstacles -- or built-in excuses, depending on one's angle -- that won't be in play next season. No franchise transfer, no lockout and no shortened season, just a regular off-season followed by a training camp and an 82-game schedule. It will be time for Noel to be judged.
Winnipeg has gotten better and if by some turn of fate they get into the playoffs, there will be tangible evidence to support that assertion.
Even if they don't, they will have played all 48 games of this schedule in meaningful circumstances.
This will have been more than a light rapping on the door.
The Jets banged hard on it and if the great Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips were around, his authentic "next year we'll kick the son of a (expletive) in" speech might resonate well with this group.
The best, Jets fans are forced to hope, is yet to come."
Next season, hope will be renewed, the MTS Centre will once again by very loud and "Go Jets Go!" will once again be ringing from the rafters (as well as Jets fans original and humorous chants directed at the opposing teams) for a beloved Winnipeg Jets team that, judging by their record improving year-by-year and the Winnipeg Jets will be in the NHL playoffs.
One can only hope.
There's only five more months until training camp. It can't get here fast enough. But before then, we have the draft in June and the free agent frenzy in July. I love summer, but I can't wait until next year.
Inconsistencies throughout the season and a late-season five-game losing streak (followed by, as it turns out, an immediate, though inconsequential five-game winning streak) is what will buy you a final positioning of ninth in the Eastern Conference. A rash of injuries doesn't help either, but then again, that didn't stop the Senators from clinching the last seed.
Now the mantra of Jets fans has to be "wait till next year." They got close last year, they were even closer this year with an overall record of 24-21-3. Good for 51 points. But not good enough. The fact of the matter is, sadly, the Jets just aren't good enough...yet. General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made no moves at the trade deadline, for reasons I still cannot fathom. I get they are sticking to their franchise game plan of building through the draft with a few free agents and waiver pick-ups, but a trade or two may have given them a little more pieces to the puzzle and a little spark that may have made the difference this year, at least as far as stumbling into the post-season.
But the building blocks are definitely there and a brighter future almost has to come to fruition. With the nucleus of the likes of Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien and Ondrej Pavelec; the future can only get brighter. Add to that the future additions of Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and possibly Adam Lowry.
The Winnipeg Free Press's Gary Lawless had this to say about the immediate future of the Jets:
"Next season, the organization will welcome Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry, getting an immediate upgrade of young talent.
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will have a lot of freedom in terms of contracts this summer and he'll be able to do some reshaping of the bottom end of his roster. He'll have to. The group he was left by the previous administration wasn't good enough, and so far, Cheveldayoff hasn't had much opportunity to retool. He will this off-season, with lots of salary-cap flexibility heading into an intriguing marketplace.
Most of the Jets' core pieces got better this season. Ladd, Little and Zach Bogosian took major steps. The same can be said to a lesser degree about Kane and Wheeler.
Now Cheveldayoff must get them more help.
Some players will have to go. Cheveldayoff needs to turn the soil this summer and bring in new answers to some of his problems.
Noel got more out of this roster this year than he did the year before. There have been some obstacles -- or built-in excuses, depending on one's angle -- that won't be in play next season. No franchise transfer, no lockout and no shortened season, just a regular off-season followed by a training camp and an 82-game schedule. It will be time for Noel to be judged.
Winnipeg has gotten better and if by some turn of fate they get into the playoffs, there will be tangible evidence to support that assertion.
Even if they don't, they will have played all 48 games of this schedule in meaningful circumstances.
This will have been more than a light rapping on the door.
The Jets banged hard on it and if the great Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips were around, his authentic "next year we'll kick the son of a (expletive) in" speech might resonate well with this group.
The best, Jets fans are forced to hope, is yet to come."
Next season, hope will be renewed, the MTS Centre will once again by very loud and "Go Jets Go!" will once again be ringing from the rafters (as well as Jets fans original and humorous chants directed at the opposing teams) for a beloved Winnipeg Jets team that, judging by their record improving year-by-year and the Winnipeg Jets will be in the NHL playoffs.
One can only hope.
There's only five more months until training camp. It can't get here fast enough. But before then, we have the draft in June and the free agent frenzy in July. I love summer, but I can't wait until next year.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
On A Wing and A Prayer
After the kick in the nuts that was last nights loss to the Washington Capitals, a little bit of a miracle is what it is now going to take for the Winnipeg Jets to secure a playoff spot to participate in this spring's NHL Stanley Cup tournament after being owned last night by the Capitals who clinched the South-East division with a 5-3 win.
This leaves the Jets at the mercy of other teams to do their job for them. Before last nights game, the Jets still controlled their own destiny. With a win, they would have overtaken first place in the South East division and the third overall seed in the Eastern Conference (although the way the Capitals have been playing and with games in hand, the Caps probably would have retaken the division lead anyway.)
Now the Jets must win against Montreal tomorrow at the MTS Centre and pray that either the New York Rangers or Ottawa Senators collapse in their remaining games; two for New York, three for the Sens.
Many dominoes will have to fall into place for the Winnipeg Jets franchise to see the post-season for the first time since 2007 when they won the South-East division crown and were summarily ousted in four straight games by the Rangers.
Both the Rangers and Senators will have to lose their all their remaining games. If either of them win just one more game, the Jets are golfing.
In the unlikely event of the Jets tying either the Sens or Rangers (or preferably both) the Jets will steal the last playoff spot due to more wins and the "ROW" stat (combined regulation and overtime wins) being in the Jets favor.
In that event, in the case of ousting the Rangers,the New Jersey Devils could be the Jets best friends for a day because it was the Blueshirts that officially eliminated the Devils on April 21. The chance for the Devils to exact revenge and eliminate their cross-river rivals, historical rivals at that would be too juicy to pass up.
But all that will mean nothing if the Jets don't win against Montreal.
This leaves the Jets at the mercy of other teams to do their job for them. Before last nights game, the Jets still controlled their own destiny. With a win, they would have overtaken first place in the South East division and the third overall seed in the Eastern Conference (although the way the Capitals have been playing and with games in hand, the Caps probably would have retaken the division lead anyway.)
Now the Jets must win against Montreal tomorrow at the MTS Centre and pray that either the New York Rangers or Ottawa Senators collapse in their remaining games; two for New York, three for the Sens.
Many dominoes will have to fall into place for the Winnipeg Jets franchise to see the post-season for the first time since 2007 when they won the South-East division crown and were summarily ousted in four straight games by the Rangers.
Both the Rangers and Senators will have to lose their all their remaining games. If either of them win just one more game, the Jets are golfing.
In the unlikely event of the Jets tying either the Sens or Rangers (or preferably both) the Jets will steal the last playoff spot due to more wins and the "ROW" stat (combined regulation and overtime wins) being in the Jets favor.
In that event, in the case of ousting the Rangers,the New Jersey Devils could be the Jets best friends for a day because it was the Blueshirts that officially eliminated the Devils on April 21. The chance for the Devils to exact revenge and eliminate their cross-river rivals, historical rivals at that would be too juicy to pass up.
But all that will mean nothing if the Jets don't win against Montreal.
Jets Outwork Sabres for 2-1 Win
It took some unheralded heroes off of the Jets bench to secure the victory as Aaron Gagnon and Antti Miettinen scored to help keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory.
Captain Andrew Ladd extended his personal point-scoring streak to seven and he will need to extend that as well as Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Evander Kane will have to produce to keep the Jets playoff hopes alive. The Jets now possess 51 points, one point behind both Ottawa and the New York Rangers for seventh and/or eighth. They are just two points behind the New York Islanders for sixth. But one game at a time. It doesn't really doesn't matter who they play, every game is a playoff/elimination game.
Consider this. With the Jets winning five out of six during their last home stand and including last night's win over Buffalo (who are already eliminated from playoff contention) they have captured 13 out of a possible 14 points (6-0-1). But during that streak (which continues tonight in Washington) the Capitals, Rangers, Senators and New York Islanders have also all been winning consistently, so in spite of all those points, the Jets haven't made up any ground. Such is the race for the NHL playoffs.
So tonight's tilt in Washington is the biggest game of the season. The importance of it cannot be overemphasized. If the Jets lose, it's pretty much over unless either the Rangers or Senators lose their last two games. In fact, if the Jets lose tonight and the Rangers beat the lowly Panthers (which is pretty much a given) the Rangers will clinch at least eighth. However, if the Jets can secure a win over the Caps tonight, they will leap-frog over them by one point and unbelievably back into first place in the South-East division for third seed in the Eastern Conference. But with two relatively easy games left for both the Capitals (after tonight's contest with the Jets) and the Rangers, the Jets best hope for post-season action is now stealing the last available spot from the Ottawa Senators.
Should the Jets win tonight, that will force the capitals to beat the Sens on Thursday, which would then force the Sens to beat both the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins to knock the Jets down to ninth again.
Who says the end of the season is meaningless?
In other news, forward Kyle Wellwood suffered a hand injury in last night's game against the Sabres and will miss at least the rest of the season. Coach Claude Noel said he would be out "long-term."
That means Nik Antropov, fresh off of injury reserve himself, will be inserted into the line-up.
Zach Bogosian still remains out of the line-up with concussion symptoms.
The Jets wrap up the regular season at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Ladd Tops in NHL
The National Hockey League has named Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd the first star for the week of April 18 as he led the Jets to five out of six wins at home, scoring eight points in three games.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Islanders Take Bite Out of Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are making it oh so hard on themselves and their fans. After a great 5-game home-winning streak to put themselves within a puck shot of first place in the NHL's South-East division, they now find themselves three points behind the Washington Capitals for the SE lead and one point behind the eighth-seeded New York Rangers, due to last night's 5-4 shootout loss to the New York Islanders.
With a point gained in the loss that saw the Jets come from behind late in the third period to tie the game before John Taveres ended it in the shootout, 2-1, the Jets are still in playoff contention. With a loss or two by either the Capitals or Rangers, the Jets can still either claim first in the South-East and a free ride to third overall in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round. Or they can still wrap-up eighth, currently held by the Rangers by winning probably at least two out of their last three games; including what's shaping up to be a hum-dinger in Washington this Tuesday.
But first the Jets have to get by a stubborn Buffalo Sabres team on Monday, who themselves are mathematically still in the hunt for that same eighth and final playoff seed. They cannot be overlooked. They may have under-achieved this season, but they're looking for respect as well as extending their season into May.
For a positive, Andrew Ladd extended his game point-streak to seven with an assist on a goal by Kyle Wellwood.
The Jets have three games remaining with a possible six very valuable points up for grabs. The game against the Caps on Tuesday is pinnacle to say the least. A loss there and it's over. The same must be said for the Sabres game the night before. The Jets are all out of options and with the loss last night, if every game wasn't a must-win before (which they most certainly were) they are now.
With a point gained in the loss that saw the Jets come from behind late in the third period to tie the game before John Taveres ended it in the shootout, 2-1, the Jets are still in playoff contention. With a loss or two by either the Capitals or Rangers, the Jets can still either claim first in the South-East and a free ride to third overall in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round. Or they can still wrap-up eighth, currently held by the Rangers by winning probably at least two out of their last three games; including what's shaping up to be a hum-dinger in Washington this Tuesday.
But first the Jets have to get by a stubborn Buffalo Sabres team on Monday, who themselves are mathematically still in the hunt for that same eighth and final playoff seed. They cannot be overlooked. They may have under-achieved this season, but they're looking for respect as well as extending their season into May.
For a positive, Andrew Ladd extended his game point-streak to seven with an assist on a goal by Kyle Wellwood.
The Jets have three games remaining with a possible six very valuable points up for grabs. The game against the Caps on Tuesday is pinnacle to say the least. A loss there and it's over. The same must be said for the Sabres game the night before. The Jets are all out of options and with the loss last night, if every game wasn't a must-win before (which they most certainly were) they are now.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Jets Stay in Playoff Race with OT Win Over Hurricanes
Remember when I said this? No? Of course not, nobody's reading this. But the answer is categorically yes! With tonight's 4-3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Jets are still keeping pace with the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Winnipeg has also reclaimed the MTS magic that was missing the first half of the season and at the perfect time as they strive to clinch a playoff spot with their fifth consecutive win. Dustin Byfuglien scored his second overtime winner of the season when he cruised in to tap in Andrew Ladd's overtime rebound, a minute and 18 seconds into the extra frame.
Bryan Little added two assists to the effort in his 400th NHL game that should have been a blowout according to the Hurricanes first period play. The Jets limited the Canes to three shots in the opening frame. But after that, the Hurricanes woke up and and fought back to score twice, erasing two different two-goal deficits. Ondrej Pavelec saved the Jets for the umpteenth time this shortened season by robbing multiple Hurricanes from quality scoring chances. He went 24 for 27 in winning his 19th of the season.
Zach Bogosian, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler also scored two points. Bogosian with a goal and an assist, Wheeler with the same and Ladd with a helper on Bogosian's opener and Byfuglien's OT winner.
The Jets are still giving the game away in the third period. If it wasn't for Pavelec (which has been a constant theme over the last two seasons) the Jets would be asking themselves where the season went. They'll definitely be thinking that if they don't finish off the surging New York Islanders if they get the chance this Saturday.
With Pavelec's name being chanted throughout the game, Byfuglien's seven crushing hits and game winner and the Jets second consecutive victory in extra time-all in the middle of a five-game home winning streak-the loud, intimidating aura of the MTS Centre has reclaimed itself. The seventh man was back as the home crowd was once again alive with chants for the visiting Hurricanes as well as keeping the officials on their toes. Speaking of which, the Jets power-play remains innocuous as they went 1-6 with the extra man on the night.
A complete turnaround from their previous five contests in which they went 0-5 and lost any confidence and momentum from a decent March win-loss record. The confidence and momentum are now back and the Jets find themselves keeping pace not only with the Rangers, but with the Washington Capitals eight-game winning streak halted by Ottawa and the Jets on a significant winning streak of their own, they remain only two points behind the South-East division leaders for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Any faltering by Washington and continued success by the Jets, the dream of a NHL divisional championship banner hanging in the MTS Centre is still alive. It would take more than a little faltering by the Caps to do so however as Alex Ovechkin is still tearing it up. But it's still possible for the Jets to take first place (I can't believe I'm typing this after their most recent skid) and it would make the April 23 match up in Washington all the more intense.
The Jets now stand at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points. They remained tied with the eighth-place New York Rangers; also with 48 points, but claim eighth due to a game at hand on the Jets.
With four games and a possible eight points remaining, the Jets, with help from other teams and continued success the rest of the way, can find themselves anywhere from third to eighth in the East. On the other hand, if they begin to falter themselves and find themselves in yet another inexplicable funk, they could easily slip out of the playoff picture altogether. Such is the current NHL playoff format compounded with a 48-game season.
Bryan Little added two assists to the effort in his 400th NHL game that should have been a blowout according to the Hurricanes first period play. The Jets limited the Canes to three shots in the opening frame. But after that, the Hurricanes woke up and and fought back to score twice, erasing two different two-goal deficits. Ondrej Pavelec saved the Jets for the umpteenth time this shortened season by robbing multiple Hurricanes from quality scoring chances. He went 24 for 27 in winning his 19th of the season.
Zach Bogosian, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler also scored two points. Bogosian with a goal and an assist, Wheeler with the same and Ladd with a helper on Bogosian's opener and Byfuglien's OT winner.
The Jets are still giving the game away in the third period. If it wasn't for Pavelec (which has been a constant theme over the last two seasons) the Jets would be asking themselves where the season went. They'll definitely be thinking that if they don't finish off the surging New York Islanders if they get the chance this Saturday.
With Pavelec's name being chanted throughout the game, Byfuglien's seven crushing hits and game winner and the Jets second consecutive victory in extra time-all in the middle of a five-game home winning streak-the loud, intimidating aura of the MTS Centre has reclaimed itself. The seventh man was back as the home crowd was once again alive with chants for the visiting Hurricanes as well as keeping the officials on their toes. Speaking of which, the Jets power-play remains innocuous as they went 1-6 with the extra man on the night.
A complete turnaround from their previous five contests in which they went 0-5 and lost any confidence and momentum from a decent March win-loss record. The confidence and momentum are now back and the Jets find themselves keeping pace not only with the Rangers, but with the Washington Capitals eight-game winning streak halted by Ottawa and the Jets on a significant winning streak of their own, they remain only two points behind the South-East division leaders for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Any faltering by Washington and continued success by the Jets, the dream of a NHL divisional championship banner hanging in the MTS Centre is still alive. It would take more than a little faltering by the Caps to do so however as Alex Ovechkin is still tearing it up. But it's still possible for the Jets to take first place (I can't believe I'm typing this after their most recent skid) and it would make the April 23 match up in Washington all the more intense.
The Jets now stand at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points. They remained tied with the eighth-place New York Rangers; also with 48 points, but claim eighth due to a game at hand on the Jets.
With four games and a possible eight points remaining, the Jets, with help from other teams and continued success the rest of the way, can find themselves anywhere from third to eighth in the East. On the other hand, if they begin to falter themselves and find themselves in yet another inexplicable funk, they could easily slip out of the playoff picture altogether. Such is the current NHL playoff format compounded with a 48-game season.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Redmond Sent to St. John's for Conditioning
Jets Dump Tampa Bay in Shootout, Jump Back Into Tie with Rangers for Last Playoff Spot
With Andrew Ladd's three goals, including the shootout winner, the Winnipeg Jets moved back into a tie with the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference with a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The win puts the Jets in a position where they now control their own destiny. With the loss by the Rangers to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, the Jets can now take advantage of the struggling Rangers as the two teams now have 46 point each and share the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, although technically the Rangers still claim the spot as although the Rangers have one less win than the Jets, the Jets have played an extra game. The Jets now have their games played evened out with the rest of the conference, as they led with games played most of the season; and the games in-hand factor will be evened out come the next few games. To make the playoffs now, even without an unlikely collapse by the Washington Capitals and hopefully without a surge of some kind by the Rangers, I figure the Jets need to go 3-1-1 in their last five to beat out the Blueshirts for the last spot in the Eastern Conference, barring any late heroics from the Buffalo Sabres, and the first playoff birth for the Jets/Thrashers franchise since 2007.
It's a real shame however, that the Jets seemingly won't be able to grab the South-East division title and deliver to Winnipeg their first NHL championship banner. Especially when they were so close.
It was the Jets fourth straight victory. A season high.
The win puts the Jets in a position where they now control their own destiny. With the loss by the Rangers to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, the Jets can now take advantage of the struggling Rangers as the two teams now have 46 point each and share the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, although technically the Rangers still claim the spot as although the Rangers have one less win than the Jets, the Jets have played an extra game. The Jets now have their games played evened out with the rest of the conference, as they led with games played most of the season; and the games in-hand factor will be evened out come the next few games. To make the playoffs now, even without an unlikely collapse by the Washington Capitals and hopefully without a surge of some kind by the Rangers, I figure the Jets need to go 3-1-1 in their last five to beat out the Blueshirts for the last spot in the Eastern Conference, barring any late heroics from the Buffalo Sabres, and the first playoff birth for the Jets/Thrashers franchise since 2007.
It's a real shame however, that the Jets seemingly won't be able to grab the South-East division title and deliver to Winnipeg their first NHL championship banner. Especially when they were so close.
It was the Jets fourth straight victory. A season high.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Jets Blow Out Panthers
In an easy lopsided victory for the Winnipeg Jets over the Florida Panthers, 7-2 tonight, the Jets have their 21st victory of the season with 44 points. Unfortunately, while the Jets have 44 points along with the New York Rangers, the Broadway Blueshirts officially maintain the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference due to two fewer games played.
Aaron Gagnon scored his second NHL goal in as many games and Evander Kane scored his 16th of the season to help along the Jets win. Ondrej Pavelec won his 17th of the season, making 25 saves.
Aaron Gagnon scored his second NHL goal in as many games and Evander Kane scored his 16th of the season to help along the Jets win. Ondrej Pavelec won his 17th of the season, making 25 saves.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Jets Down Sabres
A win by the Winnipeg Jets over the Buffalo Sabres 4-1, and a win by the Washington Capitals over the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, keeps things at status-quo in the NHL's South-East division as the Caps still lead the Jets by two points for first place in the division and the number three seeding in the Eastern Conference with 44 points.
The Caps also still have a game in hand over the Jets.
The Jets are now tied with the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with 42 points. Both teams lead the ninth-place New Jersey Devils by two points with seven games remaining.
Both Brian Little and Toby Enstrom received injuries during the game, Little came back for the third period, Enstrom did not due to hurting his shoulder. He is now day-to-day. Little is expected to be in the line-up against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
The Caps also still have a game in hand over the Jets.
The Jets are now tied with the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with 42 points. Both teams lead the ninth-place New Jersey Devils by two points with seven games remaining.
Both Brian Little and Toby Enstrom received injuries during the game, Little came back for the third period, Enstrom did not due to hurting his shoulder. He is now day-to-day. Little is expected to be in the line-up against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Jets Sign College Goalie Olkinuora
The Winnipeg Jets have signed University of Denver netminder Juho Olkinuora to a free agent contract. Olkinuora will forgo his final two years of college eligibility.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Jets Beat Flyers, Snap Five Game Losing Streak
UPDATE: Washington defeated Florida, 4-3. They now re-take first place in the South-East division based on fewer games played.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Can Jets Find Home Magic?
With nine games remaining in this shortened season, the Winnipeg Jets have an opportunity to use scheduling advantage they've been given in which seven out of the remaining games are in the "comfort" of the MTS Centre. On Saturday they battle the surging and always dangerous Philadelphia Flyers. This is a must win for the Jets. If they don't, they might as well kiss the season goodbye; because the Washington Capitals have seemed to have found their game late in the season and are a considerable and real threat to not only knock the Jets from the South-East division crown, but if any of the teams under the Jets right now, including the Caps, develop any sort of playoff push, the Jets could find themselves out of the playoffs altogether. Teams in the middle of a surge of these last few games include those same Philadelphia Flyers.
It's precisely this reason that the Jets need to win at least five of the next six at home and hopefully both their two remaining road games. But with six of their last nine games inside the MTS Centre, the Jets must take advantage of the familiar surroundings and the seventh player-the boisterous, die-hard Winnipeg Jets fans.
But is that enough? Has the magic of the home-ice advantage of the MTS Centre disappeared? Was it just a first-year anomaly? Is a sophomore jinx responsible (other than the uninspired play of the Jets themselves?)
Whatever the reason, the Winnipeg Jets have to find the answer and find it yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow's game against the Flyers will answer some of these questions and moreover set the Jets back on track.
It's precisely this reason that the Jets need to win at least five of the next six at home and hopefully both their two remaining road games. But with six of their last nine games inside the MTS Centre, the Jets must take advantage of the familiar surroundings and the seventh player-the boisterous, die-hard Winnipeg Jets fans.
But is that enough? Has the magic of the home-ice advantage of the MTS Centre disappeared? Was it just a first-year anomaly? Is a sophomore jinx responsible (other than the uninspired play of the Jets themselves?)
Whatever the reason, the Winnipeg Jets have to find the answer and find it yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow's game against the Flyers will answer some of these questions and moreover set the Jets back on track.
Redmond Back at Practice
In a move some are calling a "miracle return," Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Remond returned today to practice with his teammates after suffering a life-threatening injury in practice in Raliegh, North Carolina back on February 21.
Jets Lose Fifth Straight
Coming in to tonight's game against the Canadiens, no team from Winnipeg called the Jets had claimed victory in Montreal since 1985. That long trend continues as the Jets went down to the Habs 4-1. It was the Jets fifth consecutive loss and the most in a row since the teams move from Atlanta.
Alexander Burmistrov scored the lone goal for the Jets on a nice feather pass from Grant Clitsome. His first in 18 games.
The Jets, in all their futility of late, find themselves now tied with the Washington capitals for first place in the NHL's South-East division with 38 points. The Jets collapse is the Capitals ascension it seems. The Jets are also still trying to fend off the Carolina Hurricanes who also can't find a way to win but still remain a thorn in the side of the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets also face the all too real possibility of falling out of the playoff picture altogether if the Caps continue on their current projection because the way the Jets are failing to garner any Ws, regardless of their effort, the stretch run looks like it belongs to the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, strangely enough. Officially, as of right now, the Jets are out of a playoff spot in 10th in the Eastern Conference due to Washington claiming the third seed in the East due to playing one less game.
The Jets six-point cushion in the South-East is now gone. They will now have to scrape and claw their way back into a playoff spot. Luckily, first in the South-East is still a possibility with the Jets having a six-game homestand coming up. But with their record at home being what it is, the boys will have to treat every one of those home game-if not the rest of the season-as must wins. They have to now. And they did it to themselves.
Alexander Burmistrov scored the lone goal for the Jets on a nice feather pass from Grant Clitsome. His first in 18 games.
The Jets, in all their futility of late, find themselves now tied with the Washington capitals for first place in the NHL's South-East division with 38 points. The Jets collapse is the Capitals ascension it seems. The Jets are also still trying to fend off the Carolina Hurricanes who also can't find a way to win but still remain a thorn in the side of the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets also face the all too real possibility of falling out of the playoff picture altogether if the Caps continue on their current projection because the way the Jets are failing to garner any Ws, regardless of their effort, the stretch run looks like it belongs to the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, strangely enough. Officially, as of right now, the Jets are out of a playoff spot in 10th in the Eastern Conference due to Washington claiming the third seed in the East due to playing one less game.
The Jets six-point cushion in the South-East is now gone. They will now have to scrape and claw their way back into a playoff spot. Luckily, first in the South-East is still a possibility with the Jets having a six-game homestand coming up. But with their record at home being what it is, the boys will have to treat every one of those home game-if not the rest of the season-as must wins. They have to now. And they did it to themselves.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Jets Claim Santorelli; Trouba to Crack Lineup?
The Winnipeg Jets have claimed Mike Santorelli off of the waiver wire from the Florida Panthers due to Nik Antropov suffering a "lower body injury" in the loss against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Also, newly signed 2012 first-round draft pick Jacob Trouba may be in the lineup for the Jets in the season stretch run. A move that ultimately Coach Claude Noel and his staff will decide.
Also, newly signed 2012 first-round draft pick Jacob Trouba may be in the lineup for the Jets in the season stretch run. A move that ultimately Coach Claude Noel and his staff will decide.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
What Do They Have To Do?
What do the Winnipeg Jets have to do to win a few games and put some space between them and their quickly-gaining division rivals?
For the fourth consecutive game the Winnipeg Jets failed to distance themselves from their nearest competitors from upon their perch in the NHL's South-East division, losing to the surging New York Islanders, 5-2.
The Jets are now officially in danger of being the meltdown team of the 2012-2013 NHL season. With their seemingly comfortable six-point lead in the south-East now down to a precarious two against the Washington Capitals and four against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Jets are are now indeed in danger of failing to make the post-season altogether. They've held the top spot in the NHL's weakest division for about a month now and they still are unable to close it out by getting themselves some much needed points in must-win games. If this is the kind of effort we expect the the Jets to put forth should they make the playoffs, they won't last past for games and should probably wave the white flag after three.
Should the Jets fall from first in the South-East and with the all the other bottom seven teams gaining points on the Jets during this now four-game losing skid, compounded with the top eight jostling for their final playoff seeding, and find themselves in the Eastern Conference basement-even behind the lowly Florida Panthers-it will be the worst systematic crumbling of any team this year. Okay, maybe not as bad as the Panthers. But even the West's Columbus Blue Jackets have they can put together a couple of wins when needed. It's bad when your team gets compared to the Blue Jackets in any capacity
This may be the time when fans look back and said this was the game that ruined everything. But the Jets still lead the South-East division by two points and their are still 10 games to play. If they can go 5-5 the rest of the way (6-4 would be optimal, and at this point all they probably hope for) along with some key losses for the teams in their own division, the could still rap up first place and weasel their way into home-ice advantage in round one. Although judging by their home record this season, that may not be the advantage one would expect. So is it really panic tie yet?
One thing is certain. The Jets better start winning. And that right soon.
For the fourth consecutive game the Winnipeg Jets failed to distance themselves from their nearest competitors from upon their perch in the NHL's South-East division, losing to the surging New York Islanders, 5-2.
The Jets are now officially in danger of being the meltdown team of the 2012-2013 NHL season. With their seemingly comfortable six-point lead in the south-East now down to a precarious two against the Washington Capitals and four against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Jets are are now indeed in danger of failing to make the post-season altogether. They've held the top spot in the NHL's weakest division for about a month now and they still are unable to close it out by getting themselves some much needed points in must-win games. If this is the kind of effort we expect the the Jets to put forth should they make the playoffs, they won't last past for games and should probably wave the white flag after three.
Should the Jets fall from first in the South-East and with the all the other bottom seven teams gaining points on the Jets during this now four-game losing skid, compounded with the top eight jostling for their final playoff seeding, and find themselves in the Eastern Conference basement-even behind the lowly Florida Panthers-it will be the worst systematic crumbling of any team this year. Okay, maybe not as bad as the Panthers. But even the West's Columbus Blue Jackets have they can put together a couple of wins when needed. It's bad when your team gets compared to the Blue Jackets in any capacity
This may be the time when fans look back and said this was the game that ruined everything. But the Jets still lead the South-East division by two points and their are still 10 games to play. If they can go 5-5 the rest of the way (6-4 would be optimal, and at this point all they probably hope for) along with some key losses for the teams in their own division, the could still rap up first place and weasel their way into home-ice advantage in round one. Although judging by their home record this season, that may not be the advantage one would expect. So is it really panic tie yet?
One thing is certain. The Jets better start winning. And that right soon.
Jets Are Blowing It
Another loss last night by the Winnipeg Jets, this time at the hands of the New York Rangers, 4-2. The Jets third straight.
Although the Jets still incredibly hang on to first place in the South-East division, they are blowing it. They've had five games now to add to their division lead since taking over the South-East and one wouldn't have expected the Jets to walk out of Pittsburgh with a victory, regulation time or otherwise. But three out of four losses to not only to division rivals, but to teams that are behind them in the standings and are inferior teams. However one could easily argue that isn't the case with the Jets play of late.
If the Jets don't git'r done soon, they will find themselves not only out of the playoff picture with the likes of the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes finding more wins than the Jets lately, but almost certainly in the cellar of the South-East division, jut above the Florida Panthers.
The playoffs, that looked like they were in our grasp with just .500 hockey needed the rest of the way, aren't necessarily a lock just yet. I figured the Jets need seven wins to make the playoffs via first place in the South-East and third overall in the conference and home-ice in the first round to boot.. That was after they had beaten the Hurricanes 4-1 on March 26. There were 14 games left at that point. I figured .500 hockey should keep the vultures at bay and allow the Jets to limp into the post-season.
They better get their tails in gear.
Although the Jets still incredibly hang on to first place in the South-East division, they are blowing it. They've had five games now to add to their division lead since taking over the South-East and one wouldn't have expected the Jets to walk out of Pittsburgh with a victory, regulation time or otherwise. But three out of four losses to not only to division rivals, but to teams that are behind them in the standings and are inferior teams. However one could easily argue that isn't the case with the Jets play of late.
If the Jets don't git'r done soon, they will find themselves not only out of the playoff picture with the likes of the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes finding more wins than the Jets lately, but almost certainly in the cellar of the South-East division, jut above the Florida Panthers.
The playoffs, that looked like they were in our grasp with just .500 hockey needed the rest of the way, aren't necessarily a lock just yet. I figured the Jets need seven wins to make the playoffs via first place in the South-East and third overall in the conference and home-ice in the first round to boot.. That was after they had beaten the Hurricanes 4-1 on March 26. There were 14 games left at that point. I figured .500 hockey should keep the vultures at bay and allow the Jets to limp into the post-season.
They better get their tails in gear.
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