Jets Sign Yet Another UND Product Jake Marto

The Winnipeg Jets have added another University of North Dakota product to their organization signing ex-Fighting Sioux defenseman and assistant captain Jake Marto to a two-way AHL/ECHL deal.

Marto, who turns 25 on August 11th, joins former teammate Jason Gregoire, who was signed earlier in the month in the Jets organization.

Last season with the Sioux, Marto had career highs with eight goals and 19 points during his fourth and final season at UND.

A native of Grand Forks, Marto stands six feet tall and weighs in at 173 pounds.

He spent the past four seasons with the Sioux collecting 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists) in 157 games.

Kane, Pavelec, Ladd, and Byfulgien Rank In Top 25 of Yahoo! Sports Ratings

Jets Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Ondrej Pavelec, and Dustin Byfuglien were all ranked in the top 25 players for their respective positions by Yahoo! Sports Puck Daddy Blog written by Yahoo! Sports Sam McCaig.

Pavelec was ranked 22nd amongst goaltenders and there was promise as McCaig stated, "He's improved every season, and could be much higher on this list next year."

On the blueline, Byfuglien, who led all defensemen with 20 goals last season, was ranked 19th. His position was credited to the ease of transition from forward to defense and his booming shot.

Fellow blueliner Tobias Enstrom was an honourable mention amongst defensemen.

Kane ranked in at 19th amongst left wingers due to his power forward potential and not undergoing a sophomore jinx last season.

Ladd was ranked the highest Jet at 12th amongst left wingers. His ranking was mostly due to his breakout season as captain with 29 goals and 59 points last season. McCaig stated he was the first face of the franchise as captain.

Not cracking the lists were Jets Bryan Little and Nik Antropov, two of the teams other top offensive threats.

Think You're Hardcore Jets?

According to a Winnipeg Free Press article, there is one Jets fan that is more hardcore than most.

To read more: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/true-patriot-love--in-all-thy-jets-tattoo-126391563.html

Curt Keilback Rumoured To Make Move Back To Broadcast Booth

Former Winnipeg Jets play-by-play man Curt Keilback may be back on the air this season as the Jets commentator.

Keilback followed the former Jets to Phoenix in 1996 and was their play-by-play commentator through to the 2007-08 season.

This past season he called 25 Manitoba Junior Hockey League games for NCI-FM.

"I would like to be involved," Keilback told the Winnipeg Free Press.

"Given my druthers, I'd certainly rather do play-by-play, but if it meant being involved in a different capacity, that would certainly be of interest to me."

Keilback did play-by-play and colour commentary for Jets' radio and television broadcasts for 17 years.

He also was a fill-in doing Buffalo Sabres games from Calgary and Edmonton when the regular announcer was unable to make it.

According to the Free Press, Keilback has been in contact with Sports Radio 1290, which will broadcast the games this season, as well as True North Sports & Entertainment, the team's owner.

Jets AHL Affiliate St. John's IceCaps Unveil Logo & Colours

So it was only a matter of time before we knew the new AHL affiliate in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador was going to be the Ice Caps.

It wasn't as great of a secret as was the Jets name, or logo for that matter.

But the new logo coincides with NHL parent team colours and the jerseys aren't due out until play starts in October.

Either way, the AHL is back in Newfoundland and the logo looks pretty sharp.

"A Good Month Of This"

According to NBC's Pro Hockey Talk, the doctored photo of an apparent Jets jersey leak on the upcoming NHL 12 game by EA Sports could not be any further from the actual jersey.

True North's director of communication Scott Brown shot down the false jerseys and then commented to NBC, "I suppose we're in for a good month of this."

You think?

This will not stop until the jerseys are released.

But EA Sports has gone on record saying they are incorporating the Jets into NHL 12.

Zherdev Not Only FA Still Out There

At this point in the summer, doubt of whether the Jets will go after a veteran free agent has set.

Rumours of Nikolai Zherdev's want to play for the Jets and the Jets pretty much only has raised the level of heated hockey talk and discussion about the Russian's want to play in Winnipeg.

Zherdev, 26, has already talked to a former Jet Alexei Zhamnov about Winnipeg. Zhamnov spent three seasons with the Jets and was a very consistent scorer for the old Jets.

“I met with Vityaz GM Alexei Zhamnov a little while ago, he played three years in Winnipeg. He said it’s very cold and a lot of snow there in the winter, which just makes it an ideal place for hockey. Great! Manitoba doesn’t scare me." he told the broadstreetchockey.com in an interview.

"I wasn’t born in Africa after all.”

But Zherdev isn't the only free agent who needs a hockey home for next season.

The list includes some former big names such as Chris Drury, Cory Stillman, J.P. Dumont, Bryan McCabe, Brent Sopel, Marty Turco, and others.

It's unlikely that any of the players on that list will be in a Jets jersey, albeit any jersey next season with the way they played last year, but there are more than just a Russian claiming he wants to live in one of the coldest cities in Canada playing for a team that has a guaranteed sellout every game this season.

“There’s a balance happening,” long-time agent Anton Thun told the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.

“With players in their 30s, do you sign a player who has a history of one-way contracts in the NHL, or do you try to keep room for young players coming through your system?”

For the Jets so far the onus is on a young team. If Zherdev happens to join it will be yet another player under 30 to add to a youthful team.

But when does the rumour mill stop?

St. John's Ice Caps To Become Official Friday

While Patrice Cormier and Mark Flood show off the new Jets logo and apparel, their AHL affiliate will be getting it's new digs on Friday.

According to The Telegram out of St. John's, Newfoundland, the new AHL team owned by True North Sports & Entertainment in St. John's will be named the Ice Caps and the official unveiling of the name and logo and jerseys will occur on Friday.

A week after the Jets unveiled their logo in Winnipeg, their AHL affiliate is proud to unveil their own.

Club president and former Premier Danny Williams selected the name Ice Caps.

The announcement will go at slated for 11 a.m. at Mile One Centre.

As part of the official launch, IceCaps T-shirts and ball caps will go on sale noon Friday at That Pro Look, Maverick Sports and Collectibles, Play-it-Again Sports and Sportscraft.

Twitter Exploding About Zherdev Signing With Jets

According to Twitter account @MarkChipman, Nikolai Zherdev has signed a five-year deal with the Jets.

However, other Tweeters, such as @NHLWinnipeg have reported that the Jets or Atlant of the KHL are Zherdev's top two choices for the upcoming season.

No confirmed news yet.

Dog Days of Jet Hockey Summer

Still no word on Zach Bogosian's ongoing contract talks, but there is no reason to believe that #4 will be playing in another jersey this coming season or seasons.

"For us, if you look at the roster right now there is probably some room if you could add some forwards. We think our defence is pretty deep with respect to the (National Hockey League) side and the depth side of things." Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff told Global News.

“The conversations are continuing with his agent,” he added. “There’s no time frame set in place to have that one done by. It’s a summer-negotiation type thing.

"Everyone’s respectful of the fact this is a down time for players and agents and management . . . those talks will continue and they’ve been good."

While Jets fans await a Bogosian signing, the rumours continue to circulate on a possible Zherdev signing from many sources across the internet.

The Russian winger commented that he would play for the Jets earlier this week but no comments have come from either Cheveldayoff or the Jets brass.

But again, rumours are rumours.

But again, Jets need something to talk about. Once Bogosian is signed...then what?

Time For More Jets Rumours

Five days after the official release of the Winnipeg Jets new logo and the Jets world is abuzz again with items different from the logo itself.

It seems that predictors and people in the media have moved on from the logo, having four days to digest it over a weekend of decent weather in Manitoba's capital.

Now on to other business.

So Nikolai Zherdev isn't signed. And he wants to play with the Jets. What about it?



Oh yeah, Teemu Selanne - that guy who scored 76 goals as a rookie in Winnipeg as a Jet - he's unsigned too.

And just for good measure, here's a potential leak of the new Jets jerseys.

Aside from two jersey leaks, one from EA Sports in their upcoming NHL 12 title, and from the rumours from the Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe about the possibility of Zherdev coming Winnipeg, the Jets world isn't abuzz about much of anything.




Oh and the above jersey that Jet Dustin Byfulgien is wearing will not be the colour or style of the jersey - that's for sure. Until next season when the Jets move to the West and get a third jersey.

Once Zach Bogosian finally signs then there will be something worthwhile to talk about for another two or three days.

But just for good measure, let's keep up to date on all the Jets rumours.

Rumoured Jets Jerseys

The rumours keep on swirling as a potential Jets jersey leak has been found yet again.

The attached picture with Winnipeg, Manitoba native Jonathan Toews sporting a "new" Jets jersey is the leaked design that True North apparently has created for the new look Jets.

There is no source that can confirm these are the jerseys, but they do incorporate the main and secondary logos.

Again, just rumours.

Nikolai Zherdev Rumoured To Want To Play For Jets

After the signing of Russian prospect Ivan Telegin, according to the Winnipeg Sun, a Russian news organization is reporting that ex-Columbus Blue Jacket and Philadelphia Flyer Nikolai Zherdev has a desire to play for the Jets in Winnipeg.

At 26, Zherdev spent the last season with the Flyers, on a one-year contract of $2 million.

In 421 career games in the NHL, Zherdev has collected 261 points after being a fourth overall pick in 2003.

Zherdev has also played some time in the KHL playing 52 games in 2009-10 with Mytishchi Atlant, scoring 39 points.

No report has come from the Jets camp on whether or not Zherdev is a possibility, but with the team's somewhat relaxed free agent signing summer, Zherdev would be one of the biggest pickups.

Zherdev collected 22 points (16 goals, 6 assists) in 56 games with the Flyers last season.

He had career highs in Columbus in the 2007-08 season before contract disputes started and he went to the New York Rangers and then to the KHL. He netted 26 goals and added 35 assists in 82 games.

Zherdev scored 58 points the next season in New York before jetting to the KHL.

Perhaps because fellow Russians Nik Antropov and Alexander Burmistrov also play for the Jets may be a reason that Zherdev sees Winnipeg as a possible place to play since his contract was not renewed in Philadelphia.

Jet Sign Prospect Telegin

Wednesday, the Jets signed centre Ivan Telegin. The 6'3, 180 lb centre was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft 101st overall in the third round.

The nineteen year-old Telegin played the last two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit collecting 105 points (46 goals, 59 assists) along with 55 penalty minutes in 110 games.

The Novokuznetsk, Russia native was fourth on the Spirit in scoring with 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists) in 59 games last season.

He was a big part of the Spirit reaching the second round of the OHL playoffs scoring 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 12 playoff games.

Telegin also competed for Russia at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan.

All Quiet On The Jets Front

Almost halfway through the week and no Jets news of importance has come down the wire since the team finally unveiled their logo.

Some reports suggest a leak in True North's otherwise stalwart ship of secrecy, but the only major items left on the Jets list is signing defenseman Zach Bogosian.

More Jets logos for your pleasure. It definitely is the dog days of summer now.

Jets New Logo Unveiled

The Winnipeg Jets have officially unveiled their new logo.

At 4 PM Central Time, True North Sports & Entertainment unveiled the new Jets logo.

The new logo has deep blue, silver, and a hint of red colours in the logo.

It goes away from the old logo of the former Jets and was inspired by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“True North Sports & Entertainment felt it was important for the new Winnipeg Jets to develop a strong new identity,” said Mark Chipman, Chairman & Governor of True North Sports & Entertainment told the Winnipeg Jets official website Friday.

“We felt it was important to authenticate the name Jets and we believe the new logo does that through its connection to our country’s remarkable Air Force heritage, including the rich history and relationship that our city and province have enjoyed with the Canadian Forces.”

True North worked with the Deparment of National Defense throughout the project.

"We have always had a close relationship with 17 Wing throughout the years, dating back to our annual Manitoba Moose Military Night,” said Dorian Morphy, Senior Director, Marketing & Brand Management of True North Sports & Entertainment to the Jets official website.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue this relationship in a significant way. The design cues for the plane were inspired by the military jets flown by the Air Force over the years. So not only were we able to establish a new identity for our brand, but we were able to maintain a traditional, time honoured look to the logo.”

Jerseys will be released at a later date while hats, shirts, and kidswear is available immediately at the Off The Rack store at MTS Centre.

To check out the entire rebranding brand identity that accompanied the unveiling, go to http://jets.nhl.com/club/gallery.htm?id=23491&navid=DL|WPG|home.

Goal of the Year?

The goal of the year is being debated after the NHL season is over and the dog days of summer are upon us.

Ninteteen, soon to be, 20 year-old Eliezer Sherbatov, who was born in Israel, scored an unbelievable goal against Greece in a 26-2 whitewash.

Sherbatov, who moved to Canada at age two, has played in the QMJHL the last two seasons with both the Montreal Juniors and Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He has 45 points in 120 games over two seasons. He remains undrafted and unsigned.

Jets Add Former QMJHL Pascal Vincent

The Jets have added another piece to their coaching staff with the addition of former QMJHL coach Pascal Vincent.

Vincent, 39, coached the Montreal Juniors last season to a 46-12-10 record.

All-time he has a record in th QMJHL of 429-313-87. He was coach of the year with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2007-2008.

Vincent played in the QMJHL in the late 80s and early 90s and one season in the ECHL before retiring and stared coaching in 2000-2001.

He spent eigh seasons in Cape Breton and the last two in Montreal.

Information via tsn.ca

Former Winnipeg Jets Legacy Still With Phoenix Coyotes

Friday morning, Ed Tait wrote a very thorough and enlightening piece on the history of our newly returned Winnipeg Jets.

Though our Jets are back, the history will yet remain with the Phoenix Coyotes. They still have the banners that hang from the rafters with the retired numbers of Bobby Hull's #9, Thomas Steen's #25, and Dale Hawerchuk's #10.

Yet all three of those players never donned a Coyote jersey, never once were a part of hockey in the desert, and yet their numbers hang from the rafters in Coyote colours.

That's not a picture most Jets fans would consider tasteful or even fair for that matter. But life isn't fair apparently.

Still, that doesn't mean the new Jets cannot commemorate and honour a past that happened in Winnipeg yet will not be a part of the new Jets legacy.

From records to who the first captain was, that all stays with the Coyotes in Phoenix. The Coyotes give their fans the stats of what was once Jets fans over 15 years ago.

Selanne's rookie scoring record, Hawerchuk's franchise point total, and three Avco Cups are all in Phoenix and will not return to Winnipeg as per the NHL's edict.

So with the likes of Evander Kane and Bryan Little, who have previously worn previously retired Jets numbers of two of the most high profile Jets of all-time, there is nothing slated to retiring those numbers at any point.

When Ed Tait was interviewing Thomas Steen, Steen remarked that "It's like the Toronto Maple Leafs: they honour their numbers, but they're still using them, too. I know the history of the Leafs is a little longer than the Jets. But if you started retiring all those numbers, you'd run into problems.

"Imagine if all the Jets' players 100 years from now -- WHEN this team is still around -- were all wearing numbers over 100? Now that would be strange," he admitted to the Winnipeg Free Press.

A new tradition has started in Winnipeg and all the history of that tradition started when the Thrashers were born in Atlanta. Our past stars are a short list of Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa, Marc Savard, and Dany Heatley not Bobby Hull, Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, and Keith Tkachuk.


Tait raised an interesting and bizarre point of what if the Coyotes were to finally be sold and moved to the next best available market in Quebec City. What happens then? Selanne is a hero in Quebec City with his rookie record?

Not likely.

But there's nothing wrong with or any rule against honouring those players who made an impact in Winnipeg hockey for the betterment of the city's reputation. Or the Jets reputation for that matter.

And of that of Mike Keane, who's #12 was raised to the rafters, what becomes of that? A player who spent his final five professional seasons with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

Only time will tell.

And only time will bring about this new tradition - Winnipeg Jet style.

Information & Qutoes via Winnipeg Free Press

New Jets Jerseys Have Arrived?

According to a Twitter report from @yourwinnipegjet, the new look Winnipeg Jets jerseys arrived at MTS Centre Thursday afternoon via Fed Ex.

The jerseys are reported to be a deep blue with silver in them breaking from the tradition of the old Jets who wore red, blue, and white.

With the arrival of jerseys, expect the announcement of the new Jets logo and/or jerseys to be before mid-August. Reports have been circulating the new Jets logo will be released this coming week.

In addition to the arrival of the jerseys, the inside of the MTS Centre is being redone in the similar colour scheme of the jerseys in a deep blue and silver according to reports.

Evander Kane Intends on Asking Bobby Hull for Blessing To Wear #9

The Winnipeg Jets already have one player who is a class act on the team.

He goes by the name of Evander Kane.

Already 139 games into his career over two seasons in Atlanta, Kane will come into his prime in Winnipeg as a Jet but there is one problem that he wants to make sure he gets right.


For years, Bobby Hull's #9 hung in the rafters of Winnipeg Arena after it was retired on February 19, 1989.

Now, the soon-to-be 20 year old wants the blessing of the very superstar who was the last to wear #9 as a Jet.

"It's almost like asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage," admitted Kane to the Vancouver Province.

"I've read somewhere on Twitter that he had done an interview and said that he wanted me to wear it proudly. I don't know if that's true or not. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to speak to him soon. If he doesn't have an issue with me wearing it, I'll do my best on and off to live up to wearing that number. If I have to change, I'll change."

The Phoenix Coyotes carried on the same retired numbers when the Jets moved to Arizona, including Hull's #9 and Thomas Steen's #25. The only exception was Brett Hull's five games in 2005-06 when the Coyotes unretired it for Bobby's son.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure that I will be wearing it, but I've also not been told otherwise," stated Kane.

With 69 points in his 139 games so far in his young career, Jets fans and Kane are both looking to spark a connection with the city, it's hockey, and it's passion.

"I'm excited about going to Winnipeg because of the fans," Kane admitted.

"The fans are going to be electric that first game. They're going to be great in training camp. You're going to be going in on a breakaway drill in training camp and they're going to be cheering like crazy."

Hopefully, Kane will mold into another Bobby Hull who carried the Jets through their glory days in the WHA. In 411 games with the Jets over seven seasons in the WHA, Hull collected 638 points, not to mention the three AVCO Cups he helped them win with 80 points in 60 career playoff games.

But for Kane, it doesn't seem like the pressure will get to him, admittedly.


"I'm excited to play in Canada, to play under a microscope. I like the pressure. I perform better under the pressure. If you can embrace the pressure and embrace the expectations that will come from playing in a city like Winnipeg, it can only lead to good things for you, both on and off the ice."

All that's left for now is a blessing from the Golden Jet himself.

Information via Vancouver Province & Winnipeg Free Press

Jets and TSN reach broadcasting agreement

Jets ownership and TSN have reached, in principle, a broadcast agreement that would see local station SportsRadio 1290 broadcast games via radio instead of CJOB 680.

CJOB had been broadcasting Manitoba Moose games for the past 15 years and the Jets before they left for Phoenix. According to the Winnipeg Free Press' Ed Tait, CJOB had set a very lucrative deal on the table but it was turned down.

However, True North's decision to break ties with CJOB came down to TSN, which is owned by Bell Media, being able to broadcast games both on the radio and on television.

Jets Patient; Expect Deal With Bogosian Will Get Done Soon

With 199 NHL games under his belt at only 21 years of age, Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian is a player that the Jets cannot afford to not sign.

"The conversations are continuing with his agent,” was the comment GM Kevin Cheveldayoff gave.

“There’s no time frame set in place to have that one done by. It’s a summer-negotiation type thing. Everyone’s respectful of the fact this is a down time for players and agents and management -- those talks will continue and they’ve been good."

While the Jets have added depth up front with the additions of Rick Rypien, Tanner Glass, as well as acquiring Eric Fehr and Kendal McCardle via trades, the possibility of the Jets adding another scoring forward for the top two lines would not be out of order for Cheveldayoff.

"You’re always looking for that,” Cheveldayoff admitted. “It’s got to be the right fit for the group of guys that you have. You want it to mesh together. For us, if you look at the roster right now there is probably some room if you could add some forwards. We think our defence is pretty deep with respect to the (National Hockey League) side and the depth side of things."

However, the main goal still focuses in on Bogosian and getting the deal done.

Looking at Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd in their negotiations, both players were singularly negotiated with and signed in accordance to being talked with.

It is simply now Bogosian's turn in line and Cheveldayoff sees no problems in the ongoing discussions with his agent.

"It’s playing out exactly how we thought it would. It’s going to take some time."

"Each one of the negotiations — the (Andrew) Ladd, the Wheeler, the regular RFAs (restricted free agents) and Zach all have different nuances to them.”

St. John's Affiliate Coaching Staff Rounding Out

Former ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings head bench boss Mark Morrison has been added to Keith McCambridge's AHL coaching staff in St. John's for the upcoming season.

Morrison has spent the last five seasons coaching the Salmon Kings, four and a half as head coach. The first season in Victoria, Morrison was assistant coach until 27 games into the season he was promoted and the Salmon Kings improved from a 9-17-1 start to a 27-15-3 finish under Morrison.

In the final four seasons, the Salmon Kings had three winning seasons, making the playoffs in all seasons Morrison was behind the bench, including trips to the second round of the playoffs in 2008 and 2011.

Morrison is a former draft pick of the New York Rangers, 51st overall, in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft having played with the Victoria Cougars of the WHL, being a prolific scorer with 114 and 130 point seasons in his final two junior seasons. He was also part of the 1981 Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Morrison played 10 games for the Rangers in the NHL but never stuck, having two points before eventually heading overseas to play in Italy and later Scotland from 1989-90 until his retirement from playing in 2004-05.

Jets Sign More Ex-Moose Players

Home cooking is always a good thing.

For the Winnipeg Jets, it's a theme that has been central to the players they have signed and acquired over the course of the off-season.

After signing Manitoba born player Derek Meech and trading for Winkler's Eric Fehr, the Jets went out and made sure they kept some ex-Manitoba Moose players in the fold.

Already under the Jets name are Rick Rypien and Mark Flood who both spent time with the Moose last season.

According to CJOB 680's sports reporter Brian Munz, the Jets have signed more ex-Moose players to AHL contracts to play for the AHL affiliate in St. John's.

The Jets have signed ex-Moose players Marco Rosa, Shawn Weller, Kevin Clark, and Travis Ramsey to AHL contracts.

Also signing with Winnipeg were three undrafted youngsters in North Sydney, Nova Scotia's Michael Kirkpatrick, Brandon, Manitoba's Shayne Wiebe, and Concord, Ohio's John Albert.


Kirkpatrick spent four seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL league collecting 251 points in 266 games. While perhaps an undersized centre at 5'10, 175 lbs, the 21 year old shows promise as he helped the Sea Dogs to the 2011 Memorial Cup.





Wiebe two full seasons with the Kamloops Blazers before being dealt to his hometown Brandon Wheat Kings midway through the 2009-10 season. Wiebe finished third in scoring for the Wheaties this last season with 65 points in 72 games and played one game in the AHL with the Conneticut Whale. Another centre at 5'10, 185 lbs, it adds yet another home grown talent to the Jets organization.








At 5'11, 180 lbs, 22 year-old John Albert completed his fourth and final year at Ohio State University scoring 34 points in 37 games as the Buckeyes captain. In his four season, Albert collected 124 points in 159 games, including a year best of 39 points in 2008-09. Albert was originally drafted by the Thrashers in 2007, 175th overall.

What's In A Number?

With the additions of many players this off-season, former Thrashers and new Jets alike have decided to change their jersey numbers or pick new ones, as their former number is taken.

Acquired from the Washington Capitals, local Manitoba boy Eric Fehr has decided to don #17. Even on his Twitter account, Fehr expressed the number change, wondering if Twitter would let him change his following name @EricFehr16 to accommodate his number jersey number.

Other newcomers via free agency include ex-Moose Rick Rypien who dons #11, Tanner Glass taking #15, Mark Flood taking #36, Derek Meech taking #47, Randy Jones taking #12, and Kendal McCardle taking #40.

Former Thrashers Jim Slater and Patrice Cormier have decided to switch jersey numbers coming into the new Jets organization. Slater changed his #23 to #19, while Cormier changed his #45 for #28.

Sixteen of jersey numbers #1-#30 are taken while eighteen jersey numbers from #30-#80 are taken.

Wheeler Wasn't Looking Forward To Arbitration; Looks to Bruins Cup Win For Motivation

"It's never the most comfortable thing sitting in the room with your employer and hearing maybe not some of the nicest things about yourself," Wheeler admitted about the negotiation process.

"It's definitely nice to start off on a really good foot with these guys and I'm just really excited that it was done in a pretty timely fashion."

New signed Blake Wheeler can consider himself lucky as can the Winnipeg Jets organization, especially GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

Most players this off season who have filed for arbitration have signed with their respective clubs before their hearing date, including Andrew Cogliano, who signed in Anaheim for Wheeler-like money.

"I think all sides are happy with the way it turned out," added Wheeler.

After seeing his former teammates in Boston raise the Stanley Cup months after he was traded from the Bruins, Wheeler uses it as motivation now as a Jet.

"It was definitely a mixed bag, for sure (watching the Bruins win the Cup)," Wheeler confessed.

"I wasn't necessarily cheering for them, but I wasn't cheering against them. I've played with all those guys so I was definitely happy to see them succeed and come through and win. I knew they were definitely capable of it. But it definitely hurt to not be a part of it."

When asked about if the Jets were a contender for making the playoffs, Wheeler stated, "There's no reason why we can't (make the playoffs)."

"Look at where these guys were last season … they were in a really good spot to make the playoffs, but a tough 20-game stretch really knocked us back. Most of the pieces are in place for guys to step up and we were a really young team, so we can build a future. There's no reason why we can't compete for a playoff spot this year."

When also asked about the fans in Winnipeg and their impact on the team, Wheeler stated, "I think you want to play for the fans, no question about that," Wheeler added. "There's really nothing better than knowing every night you're going to have good fan support in front of you … cheering you on in the good times and the bad.

Will Bogosian Want Cogliano Money?

Taking a look at the recent signing of Anaheim Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano, it seems that the Jets are doing rather well so far when it comes to signing their younger players.

Blake Wheeler has a cap hit of $2.45 million and $2.65 million per. Compare that to Ducks Cogliano's newly inked contract of three years with cap hits of $2.15 million, $2.35 million, and $2.675 million per respectively.

Looking at the numbers of these two player in their careers, Wheeler, a former fifth overall pick in 2004, has 127 points in 244 career games, including a career high 45 points in his rookie season where he netted 21 goals.

Cogliano, a 25th overall pick in 2005, has 146 points in 328 games, including a career best 45 points in his rookie season as well.

Points per game wise, the contract to Wheeler wins out.

But looking ahead to a Zach Bogosian contract (and as previously stated the Jets may be looking for a contract similar to that of Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price), will he still be wanting between $2-$3.5 million if he hasn't put up the same number of points translated to a defenseman?

Looking at both Wheeler and Cogliano, Bogosian may ask for a contract into the Cogliano range, while the Jets may want to keep Bogosian somewhat in or below the Wheeler contract range.

Bogosian Still Unsigned; Negotiations Ongoing

With Blake Wheeler now locked up for the next two seasons, the Jets turn their attention to 21 year old defenseman Zach Bogosian, who just celebrated his 21st birthday on July 15th.

Unlike Wheeler, Bogosian has no arbitration rights due to NHL Arbitration Rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. For Bogosian to qualify to file for arbitration, he would have had to play five years of professional hockey. A full season of professional hockey is reached by a younger player between 18 and 20 by playing a minimum of ten games in a season.

As for Bogosian's worth, his entry level contract ran the Atlanta Thrashers $875,000 per with a bonus of $1.85 million, which he reached, giving him a cap hit of $2.725 million per.

Last two seasons, Bogosian has been a minus player on a sub-par performing Thrasher team. He also struggled at times with the pace of the game but is still a defenseman that is learning at the professional level.

With 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists) in the past two seasons (152 games played), Bogosian may look to sign a short term deal that is in line with that of a Carey Price contract in Montreal so that he won't have the pressure of playing for too much money for his own good.

With Wheeler getting $5.1 million for two years, Bogosian may demand anywhere between $2-$3.5 million per on a two or three year deal. (Compare to Price's deal in Montreal: two years, $5.5 million [$2.5 million (1st year), $3 million (2nd year)])

As for now, Bogosian is the last of the players that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wants to keep under wraps for the upcoming seasons.

Cheveldayoff believes that “Bogosian, for me, is someone I hope to build our defence around,”

“In this game, there are never any certainties, but what is certain is that he’s a 21-year-old defencemen who was drafted very, very high (third overall in 2008), with lots of talent."

Jets To Be On Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada

The Jets game in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on February 10 has been rescheduled to the 11th to accommodate the Jets to be a part of Hockey Night In Canada's Hockey Day In Canada celebrations.

Jets Sign ex-Moose Jaffray

Jets have signed ex-Moose Jason Jaffray.

Jaffray spent five seasons in a Moose jersey including only 6 last season on loan to the Moose.

He is best known in Winnipeg for his hat trick in Game Two of the 2009 Calder Cup Finals.

http://m.winnipegsun.com/2011/07/17/maxwell-re-signs-with-jets

Final Touches Being Put on Jets Logo

The long awaited Jets logo is in the final stages of being completed.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=5101221

Jets Lock Up Wheeler and Six Others

The Jets locked up forward Blake Wheeler to a two-year, $5.1 million deal.

The Jets also signed RFAs Riley Holzfapel, Ben Maxwell, Arturs Kulda, Brett Festerling, Spencer Machacek, and newly acquired Kendal McCardle.

Jets Announce Trio of Coaches

Charlie Huddy, Wade Flaherty, and Tony Borgford as coaches.

Huddy will be assistant to Noel on the bench. while Flaherty will be goalie coach and Borgford the video coach.

Huddy was last an assistant in Dallas for two seasons. Before that, he was in Edmonton for a better part of the last decade.






Flaherty has ties to Winnipeg when he played for the Manitoba Moose from 2004-05 to 2006-07. Flaherty had his best season, which included an AHL All-Star appearance during the 2005-06 season when the MTS Centre held the AHL All-Star Classic. Flaherty was 26-17-4 with a 2.40 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.








Borgford has been involved in the Atlanta Thrashers organization from day one and will continue as video coach.

Jets Sign RFA Festerling

The Jets have signed RFA defenseman Brett Festerling to a one-year, two-way contract.

Festerling came over in a trade with Montreal in February.

Jet Logo Ideas

Many ideas have poured in. The rumours have been circling between the new jersey and logo colours being either blue, red, and white or blue, white, and silver.

Below are some of the more popular logo ideas that have been drawn and submitted either to the puckdrawn.com contest or other professional designers.

Jets Tweaking New Logo

According to the National Post the Jets are in the process of tweaking their new logo.

The report said the logo will be done soon, while the jerseys will not be ready until the Rookie Tournament in Penticton, BC in early September.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/07/14/jets-making-final-tweaks-on-new-logo/

Ex-Moose Wade Flaherty Next Coach Rumour

Another coaching possibility as a goalie development coach for the Jets has come up in the form of Wade Flaherty.

Mike Keane A Coach?

Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun wrote about the possibility of ex-Moose and Winnipeg native Mike Keane becoming a coach behind the Jets bench along with Claude Noel and Charlie Huddy.

http://m.winnipegsun.com/2011/07/13/keane-on-coaching?noimage

TSN reporting Jets divisional move in 2012

TSN.ca is reporting that the Jets may move to the Western Conference's Central Division versus the very popular Northwest Division.

According to the Grand Rapids Press, the Jets would be playing in the Central with the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, and possibly the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jets Acquire McCardle

Jets have traded prospect Angelo Esposito to Florida for forward Kenndal McArdle.

Jets Acquire Eric Fehr from Capitals

The Jets acquired local player Eric Fehr from the Washington Capitals for Dannick Paquette and a pick.

Jets sign local prospect Jason Gregoire

Jets signed former UND Fighting Sioux forward and Morden, MB native Jason Gregoire.

Jets Have Made Qualifying Offers To Seven

The Jets have made qualifying offers to the following players, meaning they can match any offer sheets that may come from other teams.

Zach Bogosian and Blake Wheeler as well as defensemen Arturs Kulda and Brett Festerling, winger Spencer Machacek, and centres Ben Maxwell and Riley Holzapfel.


http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Jets-made-qualifying-offer-to-Bogosian-124653169.html

St. John's To Announce Keith McCambridge as Head Coach

Former Manitoba Moose assistant coach Keith McCambridge may get the call to the AHL as a head coach with the new St. John's AHL team this coming season according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

GM Cheveldayoff Wants to Keep D Bogosian Long-Term

Despite the trade rumours, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff re-iterated that Zach Bogosian will be a key part of the Jets future in Winnipeg, saying he hopes to get Bogosian long-term.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/bogosians-key-chevy-says-125063124.html

Charlie Huddy on Claude Noel's Short List

It appears that Jets head coach Claude Noel is close to naming at least one part of his coaching staff.

The name that has been appearing most is former Edmonton Oiler assistant coach and ex-NHLer Charlie Huddy.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/30/huddy-in-jets-mix

Though Heading to Arbitration, Talks Ongoing with Wheeler

Though Jets forward Blake Wheeler filed for arbitration on Tuesday, contract talks with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have been ongoing and productive.

Check out the full story at http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/05/wheeler-on-road-toward-deal-with-jets

Blake Wheeler Going To Arbitration

Jets forward Blake Wheeler has gone to arbitration with the team.

Wheeler was paid $2.2 million last season split between both Boston and Atlanta. In Atlanta, Wheeler netted 17 points in 23 games.

The 6'5 forward may be getting in the $3-$4 million range with the numbers he produced in Atlanta last season.

GM Cheveldayoff on TSN

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will be on TSN1050 radio this morning at 10 am with Bryan Hayes.

Jets Free Agents Still Out There

Blake Wheeler, RFA
44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 81 games with Atlanta & Boston

Zach Bogosian, RFA
17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) in 71 games with Atlanta

Rob Schremp, RFA
26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 63 games with NY Islanders & Atlanta

Ben Maxwell, RFA
2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 12 games with Atlanta

Noah Welch, UFA
2 games with Altanta

Other UFAs: F Eric Boulton, F Jason Krog, D Freddy Meyer, F Jared Ross, F Rob Schremp, D Jaime Sifers

Other RFAs: F Akim Aliu, D Brett Festerling, F Riley Holzapfel, F Andrew Kozek, D Arturs Kulda, F Spencer Machacek, F Ian McKenzie


With the signing of Andrew Ladd, Wheeler and Bogosian remain the top two names on the Jets free agent list. The likelihood of Schremp coming back lies heavily in his character and since he was a big name player coming into his NHL career, will Kevin Cheveldayoff be interested in a show-boat like player who has shown a downside of defensive play?

If the Jets decided to part ways with Anthony Stewart, look for Schremp to follow suit.

Jets Sign Ladd, 5-Year, $22 Million Contract

The Winnipeg Jets have signed their captain Andrew Ladd to a long-term five year contract worth $22 million a year.

Ladd's cap hit will be $4 million this coming season and $4.5 million the next four seasons.

Ladd had career highs in goals and points last season with 29 goals and 59 points with Atlanta.

Ladd Deadline Approaching

The Winnipeg Jets have until 5 PM ET to sign captain Andrew Ladd or agent JP Barry will file for salary arbitration.

Though Barry has commented that the two sides will still negotiate a deal after filing for arbitration so that they could work out a deal before any arbitrator can make a decision.

RFAs still unsigned include Blake Wheeler and Zach Bogosian.

Jets Add Six Over Weekend

Along with signing Tanner Glass, Rick Rypien, Randy Jones, and Derek Meech, the Jets have also added forward Aaron Gagnon and former Moose defenseman Mark Flood. More details on all Jets signings to come...

St. John's AHL Team taking shape

It seems that the Manitoba Moose will be under the new nickname St. John's Ice Caps according to CBC news June 30th.

Danny Williams, whom the team was leased to under the ownership of True North, has apparently registered the team as the Ice Caps as well as the online domain name www.stjohnsicecaps.com.

This is still speculation, but as with the naming of the Jets, the Ice Caps name has been registered and an announcement of the team's name will be coming in the next few weeks.

For the CBC story, click this link:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2011/06/29/2011june29.html

Jersey and Logo Update

While True North is working on the new Jets logos, jerseys, and colours here is some samples from the puckdrawn.com contest. Many have jerseys for a different team name but there are still some definite winners and losers when it comes to designs.

http://www.puckdrawn.com/photos/winnipeg_contest/index.html

Jets sign pair on Day Two of Free Agency

The Winnipeg Jets signed former Manitoba Moose forward Rick Rypien to a one-year deal worth $700,000 while also signing defenseman Randy Jones to a one-year deal worth $1.15 million.

Jets Sign Meech, Glass on Day One of Free Agency

The Winnipeg Jets made their mark on free agency by signing 27 year-old Winnipeg native Derek Meech to a one-year deal worth $700,000. Later in the day the Jets locked up grinder Tanner Glass to a one-year deal worth $750,000.