Manitoba Dreaming: Winnipeg Jets (EHM)

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It was a little less than 5 years ago when talks about a NHL team back in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The struggling (then) Phoenix Coyotes were bankrupt and the City of Glendale, Arizona were tasked with covering the costs of the team. The NHL who owned them at the time said either you cover the costs or we walk. So at the 11th hour, the City of Glendale decided to pick up te tab to save their team. So now what would happen with the Winnipeg group that was looking for a NHL team? Sights turned to the East coast to a struggling Atlanta Thrashers franchise who made the playoffs once in 10 years and never won a single game in the playoffs (they were swept by the New York Rangers). 

Atlanta was a team that struggled mightily despite top picks which were Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley (who was later traded for Marian Hossa). When it seemed like no NHL franchise could survive in Georgia, the team was sold to True North Sports and Entertainment. The team was immediately relocated to Winnipeg to play out of the MTS Center. Due to the swift movement of Atlanta to Winnipeg, the newly formed Jets had to play in the (then) Southeast Division with Washington, Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina.

The team did had a pretty decent season despite all the travel going 37-35-10 for 84 points, 8 points out of the 8th spot. The leading point getter was Blake Wheeler who has 64 points while the leading goal scorer was Evander Kane with 30 goals. The top defenseman was Tobias Enstrom who has put up another solid 30 point season. The top goalie was Ondrej Pavalec who posted a 29-28-1 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.91 G.A.A in 68 games. 

The lockout shortened 2012-2013 season saw the Winnipeg Jets come oh so close to making the playoffs. How close you ask? They finished 9th with 51 points while the New York Islanders came 8th with 55 points. Yea that close. The Jet's still played in the Eastern Conference in the Southeast Division but that would all change next season after the NHL and NHLPA came to an agreement for realignment. In the shortened season, Andrew Ladd led the team in assists and points (28,46) while Blake Wheeler led the team in goals (19). Dustin Byfuglien was the leading point getter on defense with 28. Ondrej Pavalec was the man between the pipes again starting 44 games going 21-20-3 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.80 G.A.A. Not the best but not the worst. 

 

The Jet's entered the new season finally in a division/conference in their own timezone. The problem? That division included the defending Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks, the young Colorado Avalanche led by legendary goalie Patrick Roy, the Dallas Stars who had acquired Tyler Seguin to go along with Jamie Benn, the always tough Minnesota Wild who has just signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter as Free Agents, the Nashville Predators left by a strong defense and amazing goaltending by Pekka Rinne, and the perennial Stanley Cup favourites the St.Louis Blues. Good stuff. After inching so close to playoff hockey the Jet's had a tough time in their new division as the top three in their division had 112,111 and 107 points which meant if they wanted playoff hockey they'd have to be a wildcard. The Jet's finished with a 37-35-10 record good enough for 84 points, 7 points out of the final wildcard spot. The leading point getter was again Blake Wheeler with 69 who also tied Bryan Little in assists with 41. The leading goal scorer was Blake Wheeler who scored 28 goals. The leading defenseman was Dustin Byfuglien who scored 20 goals and had 36 assists for 56 points. Arguably the better goalie was Al Montoya who played in 28 games going 13-8-3 with a .920 save percentage and a 2.30 G.A.A. Ondrej Pavalec played in 57 games going 22-26-7 with a .901 save percentage and a 3.01 G.A.A. Not very good for a number 1 goalie. 

Now here we are gearing up for the 2014-2015 season. Get ready for some big news.

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On a early August morning, former GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been relieved of his duties. This comes as the Jets have not made the playoffs since they came back to the NHL in 2011-2012. The man who has been named to replace the former GM is none other than Winnipeg Jet/Anaheim Duck legend Teemu Selanne. Fresh off retiring from a 21 year career, Selanne figured it was time to take up a management job and figured he would return home to Finland to start this. He was surprised when Mark Chipman (Executive Chairman of True North Sports) gave him a call for the job. 

"This was truly an offer I could not turn down. I get to return to the franchise that brought me to North American and I look to repay them with a Stanley Cup one day. All the pieces are here for a great team now it's just figuring out how to play in arguably the toughest division in the NHL."

 

"Welcome to the Winnipeg Jets"

The Jets play out of the MTS Center in Winnipeg, MB which holds 15,015 people. The head coach is Paul Maurice and the assistant GM is Craig Hesinger. The star players include Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The top prospects are Nikolai Ehlers, Nicolas Petan and Scott Kosmachuk. The team has a AHL affiliate in St.John's, Newfoundland known as the St.John's Ice Caps and a ECHL affiliate in Ontario, California known as the Ontario Reign. 

The board wants us to retain an acceptable league position for the year, which I believe we can. 

The Jets start the Regular season on a road trip which takes them through Arizona to face the Coyotes and California to face the Kings and Sharks.

Edited April 23, 2016 by StevenStamkos91

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SEPT.13
With Training Camp just around the corner I have sent out invitations to prospects we were able to as well as players we still had rights too. 

We have also sold 11,357 season tickets so far. 

Everyone has accepted the tryout so far. We are expected 58 players at camp. First cuts will take place on September 16th. 

Nikolaj Ehlers has injured his shoulder and will be out for a week. Really going to have to impress now if he wants make the team.

 

SEPT.14
After day 1, Tobias Enstrom and Bryan Litte came into camp in the best shape while prospects Nelson Nogier and Chase De Leo need to improve. T.J Galiardi injured his elbow in a intra squad game and will be out for a week.

Team Blue beat Team Red 3-2 with Mathieu Perreault, Drew Stafford and Jacob Trouba putting in good efforts. Team White beat Team Green by the same 3-2 score with Joel Armia, Chris Thorburn and Chase De Leo putting in good efforts. 

 

SEPT.15
The final season ticket sales are 11,357 pretty good for a 15,000 seated arena. 

 

SEPT.16
Team Green beat Team Red 4-2 with good performances by Eric O'Dell, Keaton Ellerby and Adam Lowry. Team Blue and Team White tied 4-4 with good performances by John Albert, Jiri Tlusty and Michael Frolik. 

CUTS:
Marcus Kahlstrom (19 YO D) - 5.50 AVG Rating *returning to Mora of SHL*
Patrice Cormier (24 YO F) - 5.50 AVG Rating *also waived to be sent to AHL*
Jussi Olkinuora (23 YO G) - 5.50 AVG Rating *also waived to be sent to ECHL*
Connor Hellebuyck (21 YO G) - 6.50 AVG Rating *sent to AHL*
Pavel Krakovsky (18 YO F) - 6.00 AVG Rating *returning to Lokomotiv of KHL*
Anthony Pelouso (25 YO F) - 6.00 AVG Rating *sent to AHL*
Ryan Olsen (20 YO F) - 6.00 AVG Rating *returned to Kelowna of WHL*
J.C Lipon (21 YO F) - 6.00 AVG Rating *sent to AHL*
Matt Halischuk (26 YO F) - 6.00 AVG Rating *waived, sent to AHL*
Will O'Neill (26 YO D) - 6.50 AVG Rating *sent to AHL*
Brendan Lemieux (18 YO F) - 6.50 AVG Rating *returned to Barrie of OHL*
Jan Kostalek (19 YO D) - 6.50 AVG Rating *returned to Rimouski of QMJHL*

 

Sept.17
Aaron Rome signed with Colorado Avalanche as a Free Agent. 

Michael Hutchinson out for a week with a sprained wrist. 

 

Sept.18
Everyone clears waivers.

Team White ties with Team Blue 1-1. Michael Frolik, T.J Galiardi and Chase De Leo putting in the best performances. Team Green beat Team Red 2-1, Eric O'Dell, Chris Thorburn and Adam Lowry put the best performances. 

Charlie Huddy let me know that Joel Armia is doing great over the last few scrimmages and claims he is turning heads. 

 

Trades So Far
SEPT.12
The Detroit Red Wings have cut some salary sending Drew Miller to the San Jose Sharks for the rights to Julius Bergman and a 2015 4th Round Pick and a 2016 4th round pick.

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Game 1: Pre-season VS Anaheim Ducks

Head coach Paul Maurice has decided to go with 11 forwards and 7 defenseman for the 1st game against the Anaheim Ducks. The lineup is as follows:

 

Nikolaj Ehlers - Alexander Burmistrov - Joel Armia
John Albert - Nicolas Petan - Chris Throburn
Adam Lowry - Axel Blomqvist - Scott Kosmachuk
LW - Mark Scheifele - Austen Brassard

 

Jay Harrison - Paul Postma
Keaton Ellerby - Adam Pardy
Josh Morrissey - Nelson Nogier
Dustin Byfuglien

Peter Budaj
Eric Comrie

 

Game Recap:

The Jets came out flying scoring a PP goal from Nikolaj Ehlers which was assisted by Josh Morrissey and Paul Postma just 1 minute in. The lead lasted until the 8th minute though when Anaheim scored 2 goals in 13 seconds. Max Freiberg scored unassisted followed by Miro Aaltonen which was assisted by Stefan Noesen and Colby Robak. 

 

The 2nd period was rather quiet until Louis Leblanc scored a short handed goal which was assisted by Tim Jackman. 

 

The 3rd period seemed as if it was going to end by a 3-1 score until Scot Kosmachuk scored with just under 3 minutes left making it 3-2 (assisted by Nicolas Petan and John Albert). However just 10 seconds later when Stefan Noesen put the icing on the cake with an empty netter (assisted by Miro Aaltonen and Cam Fowler). With nothing to lose the Jets left the net empty and Nick Ritchie scored an empty netter with assists going to Shea Theodore and Louis Leblanc. 

Miro Aaltonen, Stefan Noesen and Tim Jackman were 1st, 2nd and 3rd stars. Peter Budaj stoped 19 of 22 shots while John Gibson stopped 21/23. 9,152 fans left the MTS Center disappointed. 

 

Next Game: Sept.21

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Sept.19

Josh Morrissey will be out a week with a arm contusion.

 

Sept.20

 

Nikolaj Ehlers has resumed full contact practice after getting over a shoulder contusion. 

Team Blue beat Team White 3-1. Paul Postma, T.J Galiardi and Austen Brassard put up the good performances. Team Red beat Team Green 3-2, Mathieu Perreault, Andrew Ladd and Tyler Myers put up great performances. 

 

Coach Charlie Huddy is impressed with Adam Lowry saying he is turning heads in camp.

Final Cuts

 

Peter Budaj (32 YO G) - 7.25 AVG (Scrimmage) 6.00 (Pre-Season) *wavied sent to AHL*
Eric Comrie (19 YO G) - 6.50 AVG *going back to Tri-City of WHL*
Julien Melchiroi (22 YO D) - 7.50 AVG *sent to AHL*
Brendon Kitchon (22 YO D) - 7.25 AVG *sent to AHL
Julien Brouleitte (27 YO D - 6.75 AVG *sent to AHL*
Keaton Ellerby (25 YO D) - 6.75 AVG (Scrimmage) 6.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *waived, sent to AHL*
Ben Chariot (23 YO D) - 6.50 AVG *sent to AHL*
Adam Pardy (30 YO D) - 6.00 AVG (Scrimmage) 6.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *waived, sent to AHL*
Mark Stuart (30 YO D - 6.25 AVG *waved, sent to AHL*
John Albert (25 YO F) - 8.00 AVG (Scrimmage) 6.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *sent to AHL*
Austen Brassard (21 YO F) - 7.25 AVG (Scrimmage) 7.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *sent to AHL*
Scott Kosmachuk (20 YO F) - 7.75 AVG (Scrimmage) 7.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *Sent to Guelph of OHL*
Patrik Holland (22 YO F) - 7.00 AVG *sent to AHL*
Joel Armia (21 YO F) - 7.75 AVG (Scrimmage) 5.00 AVG (pre-Season) *sent to AHL*
Chris Thorburn (32 YO F) - 7.75 AVG (Scrimmage) 6.00 AVG (Pre-Season) *waived, sent to AHL*

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Game 2: Pre-Season VS St.Louis Blues

 

Coach Paul Maurice went with a more traditional 12 forwards/6 d-men this time:

Nikolaj Ehlers - Alexander Burmistrov - Jimmy Lodge
Adam Lowry - Nicolas Petan - Axel Blomqvist
Andrew Ladd - Chase De Leo - Lee Stempniak
Jiri Tlusty - Mathieu Perreault - Blake Wheeler

 

Arturs Kulda - Paul Postma
Jay Harrison - Josh Morrissey
Tyler Myers - Nelson Nogier

 

Eric Comrie
Ondrej Pavalec

 

Game Recap:

 

How am I going to keep Nikolaj Ehlers off the roster? More on him later as the St.Louis Blues opened the scoring with a Pat Canonne goal assisted by Jeremy Welsh and Philip McRae. That was all the 1st period had.

 

Now we begin the Nikolaj Ehlers show as Ehlers scored twice in quick succession on a double minor penalty. He scored 30 seconds apart with Jimmy Lodge, Alexander Burmistrov and Paul Postma (x2) getting assists. He wan't done there as 2:25 later he set up Jimmy Lodge for his 1st goal of the pre-season. However again just 2 minutes later Benn Ferriero scored to make it a 1 goal game. Assists went to Ivan Barbashev and Kevin Shattenkirk. 

 

No scoring happened in the 3rd as Eric Comrie and Ville Husso shut the door. Nikolaj Ehlers was 1st star, Paul Postma was 2nd and Alexander Burmistrov was 3rd star. Eric Comriw stopped 17/19 while Ville Husso stopped 33/36. 

 

Not bad for your first win of the pre-season as 10,378 fans went home happy.

 

Next game is Sept.22 (tomorrow) against the New York Islanders.

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Sept.22

Everyone cleared waivers. 

Signed Alexander Burmistrov to a 5 year contract worth 2.68 million per, he will join the team when current contract with Ak Bars Kazan expires. 

Signed Nikolaj Ehlers to a 3 year entry level contract worth 925K per year. 

Signed Eric Comriw to a 3 year entry level contract worth 925K per year.