It all started in 1972, the Winnipeg Jets were born. While they originally started in the World Hockey Association, in 1979 they were moved to the National Hockey League. They never enjoyed a lot of success come the playoffs that combined with a weak Canadian dollar, the Jets in 1996 moved to Phoenix. The hope to get the Jets back home started in 2004 when the MTS Center was built in place of the old Winnipeg Arena. After about three years of talk and negotiating, its 98% certainty that the Jets are coming home.
And absolutely no disrespect to Dale Hawerchuk, Thomas Steen, Teemu Selanne or Phil Housley but the City of Winnipeg is soon to getting their most compelling teams ever. Now like years all the years with the Jets, there will be some work to be done. But they are set in every key position and are only 3-4 players away from being a contender.
Young Nucleus already in place
Finally after many years of struggling, the “Thrashers” are starting to build a young solid nucleus only some teams would envy to have. Up front they have former first rounders Bryan Little, Evander Kane, Patrice Cormier and Alexander Burmistrov, three young speedy and ever improving prospects. Then they have captain and two time Cup winner Andrew Ladd, coming off a career high 29 goals plus no one can argue that Ladd is a very solid two way player. Then they have secondary scoring plus size with Antony Stewart, Nik Antropov and Blake Wheeler. They have one of the most complete fourth lines with Jim Slater, Eric Boulton and Chris Thornburn.
But the top three on the back end is no better than they’ve ever had in the teams history. Dustin Byufulien, Tobias Enstrom and Zach Boogasion, are mainly offensive minded defenseman, but also play a strong defensive game when need be. The bottom three are solid with Johnny Oduya, Mark Stuart and Ron Hainsey, and again this is the best their defense has ever looked in the franchises existence.
Goaltending wise, they are very solid with prospect Ondrej Pavelic, but they need a bounce back season from veteran Chris Mason.
Details of the relocation
Reports indicate the purchase of the Thrashers is 110 million, then the new ownership is paying a 60 million relocation fee.
Who coming and who’s going?
Another question that has to be asked is the job security of general manager Rick Dudley, head coach Craig Ramsay and their supportive staffs. Do Mark Chipman and David Thompson (True North) want to bring in their own management and coaching staff? If they do wish to make these changes, look for the change to come very soon mainly before the middle of June. If they need to be careful of costs they would likely keep them around, just to avoid extra unnecessary costs.
One thing to keep in mind, if the management and coaching staff stays in tact its a distinct possibility that Boogasion could be moved in the off-season, if they elect to upgrade in different areas. That move would be iniciated by Boogasian who had some minor run-ins with Ramsey. But, the new owners True-North would likely have some input on him being moved or not, simply because he has such untapped potential.
One can only assume that former coach, general manager and current Thrashers president Don Waddell would not be joining the team in Winnipeg. He’s hugely responsible for the teams struggling to make the playoffs since the team started in Atlanta, some find it amazing that he still has a job to this day.
Winnipeg to stay in South East for 1 more year?
Sources closest to the situation say Winnipeg can stay in the South East one more season. This could be both positive and negative at the same time. The ownership would rather be in the North West where they would like to start their natural rivalry with Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Minnesota. The fans of Winnipeg on the other hand wouldn’t mind seeing Alexander Ovechkin, Eric Staal and Steven Stamkos three times in their first year.
If the Jets do move to the Northwest, Nashville or Columbus would move to the South East, Dallas to the Central and Colorado to the Pacific, but again this is likely one year away.
Winnipeg Jets TV?
It's a good thing for the Jets that Rogers Sportsnet introduced Sportsnet One last season. Only reason being you've got Edmonton (Oilers) and Calgary (Flames) in the same region (Sportsnet West) as the Jets. Currently Sportsnet has committed 10 years to Flames & Oilers (58 games per year, per team). A key to the Jets success is a good television deal, one that would see all games being televised. In the original Jet days, they often had Sunday afternoon games, as the Manitoba Moose this year in the AHL they only had two Sunday games. One tradition that is guaranteed to continue is the 4pm New Years Eve’s games, personally I’ve attended five of those games in the late 80’s early 90’s. How will Hockey Day in Canada work? Will it be a quadruple header? I can see Boston playing the Habs, then we’ve got the Battle of Ontario, Battle of Alberta, then the Jets and Canucks.
Final Review
No one sane is going to be complaining about the Thrashers moving to Winnipeg. Like smaller market teams, the Jets will have a budget of 45-50 million, they currently have 33-34 million committed to next year, not including Ladd, Boogasian or Wheeler who are RFA’s. Do not be surprised if Oduya and/or Hainsey are moved to free up some salary for next year. I can say I hope nothing but success for the Jets, and will be cheering for them, when not playing my two favourite teams.
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