A hockey win, through a social media lens
Regardless of what happens for the team in the rest of the NHL playoffs, Sunday night's win by the Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues was an epic hockey game.
One for the ages.
To go into the last three minutes of the game trailing 3-1 and manage to not only score a tying goal with less than three seconds left on the clock, but also win in double overtime in Game 7 of a playoff series?
Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Jets' Adam Lowry
It was, simply put, an astounding turnaround.
But it was also an interesting object lesson about social media, the pressure we put on top-ranked athletes and the regular lack of anything approaching common courtesy.
Don't read the comments: it's something that editors in the media tell new reporters and even people submitting letters to the editor or op-ed pieces.
There's a simple reason for that advice: the world seems to be full of people with nothing better to do than belittle and insult anyone who puts themselves out in the public sphere.
It's without a doubt worse in professional sports.
With the third period winding down and the Blues seemingly in control of the game, online bile began to drip steadily on social media sites like X. Not just from one hateful troll happily spreading trash online, but from poster after poster.
'Winnipeg Jets ultimate choke job of the century?'
'Blues got this in the bag.'
'Wow the Winnipeg Jets really going to choke this away. Hellebuyck just couldn't get it done and the offence disappeared this game.'
'Winnipeg should be named choke city. Bombers choke on the (Grey Cup) and jets choke on the first round.'
'Being a Jets fan must suck, you have to watch your team lose at home in a game 7 because your goalie has the yips and then you have to live in Winnipeg.'
'It's like the Jets want to lose so they can spend time somewhere other than Winnipeg.'
The internet commenters had a hate on for Connor Hellebuyck, for all the players on the Jets, for Winnipeg itself — even for the anthem singer before the game.
Those sentiments began to turn after Winnipeg pulled the goalie for an extra attacker with minutes to go in the third period, and Vlad Namestnikov scored a goal to draw within one goal of the Blues with less than two minutes left.
When Cole Perfetti scored with less than three seconds left on the clock to tie the game, hate turned to hope, and the X feed following the game was filled with fans hoping for the best.
Then, Adam Lowry scored for the win.
Suddenly it was the Blues players being excoriated online.
'Blues fan here. It was never in doubt. This is what St. Louis does.'
'There is a golden rule to live by the St. Louis Blues suck just like the whole city of St. Louis.'
'So happy to see St. Louis blues lose, I hate St. Louis and loved watching that choke job.'
Weekday Mornings
A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day.
'Nothing beats the playoff tradition of a St. Louis Blues 1st round exit…'
To be fair, not all of it was hate. But far, far too much was.
It's hard enough to play professional hockey in a hard-core hockey town — the pressure of playing in a city like Toronto or Montreal has made more than a few players buckle under just the media glare, and Winnipeg is no different.
But it's particularly so with the new world of social media, where everyone, however petty and small, becomes an armchair expert in hockey with the ability to reach right into a player's phone.
It's just another example of the way social media, a great tool to share information quickly and easily, has collapsed under the sheer weight of the hate it more often spreads.
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Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
What did Ottawa Redblacks show us Saturday? Best bounce-back ability in franchise history
The Ottawa Redblacks made a loud statement at the midway mark of their season that at various points looked to be swirling down the drain. They let the rest of the CFL know they have bounce-back ability and still plenty of fight left in them. In rallying from a 21-point first-quarter deficit to a 46-42 victory against the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts, the Redblacks completed what the league office confirmed is not just the biggest comeback in Redblacks history but also the third largest made by an Ottawa CFL team in regular-season play. With nine points being the total margin of victory in the four games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Redblacks wrote the best story of Week 10 by scoring 45 in the final three quarters at BMO Field. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. By constructing their first winning streak with back-to-back victories in 51 weeks, they authored what could be remembered as the turning point of their 11th campaign. After quarterback Dru Brown threw as many touchdown passes (five) as incompletions in 31 attempts, the Ottawa attack appeared unstoppable. In giving up four touchdowns, and just two after the first quarter, the defence was so bad either considering three starters were forced to the sidelines before the game was three snaps old. Suddenly, it's not difficult to imagine the Redblacks erasing an earlier four-game losing streak with a string of success at least that long. 'There's so much time spent trying to win, and that's why we all play,' Brown, who passed for 214 yards in the first half and 357 overall, told TSN1200's A.J. Jakubec when asked about the atmosphere in the locker room after the victory. 'And when you're losing, it can take its toll at times, but you just have to stay together. And we stayed together. We had a rough stretch there, but it really is awesome to see everyone's faces in (the room) after. We believe in one another. That hasn't wavered. But to see it come to fruition is pretty awesome.' What does the win do for the Redblacks' pursuit of a playoff spot? Ottawa (3-6) moved into third place, but because of the crossover format, still trails the West Division's fourth-place B.C. Lions (4-5) by two points for the last spot in the East Division playoffs. After a dramatic one-point loss to the Calgary Stampeders Saturday night, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4) could also come into play, especially if the Redblacks can walk away from Princess Auto Stadium with a win next week. The victory also keeps the Redblacks with a realistic shot of catching the Montreal Alouettes (5-4) and even the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-3), both of whom lost in Week 10. Both the Redblacks and the Blue Bombers will be playing on just five days' rest when they meet Thursday night in Winnipeg. After that one, Ottawa is home to the Edmonton Elks (2-6), then has its second bye week of the season before an home-and-away series with the Lions that will have a lot at stake. Following the back-to-backs with the Lions, the Redblacks will host the Blue Bombers, then the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-1), and then come back to the East Division to round out their season with an away-and-home set with the Alouettes and the finale in Hamilton. Suddenly, the second half of the season looks like it will be a lot more interesting than it did a couple of weeks ago. What would be Dru Brown's Field of Dreams in the CFL? As far as personal performances go, it has to be BMO. In three career games as the visiting quarterback against the Argos, Brown has remarkably completed 103-of-135 passes for 1,249 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions. That works out to a per-game average of 34-of-45 for 416 yards and 4 TDs against just 1 pick. Finally, it took a career-best five TD passes Saturday afternoon for Brown to pick up his first win in Toronto. 'Theoretically, it should be like that when everyone's doing their job, including myself. It starts with me,' Brown said to TSN1200's A.J. Jakubec about the touchdowns. 'We were able to get great field position at times and kind of punch it in. I feel like I say the same thing every week, but if everyone does their job, that's how it looks.' Who were the Redblacks' other key offensive players on Saturday? After missing the first two days of practice with a back problem last week, Justin Hardy had his second career two-touchdown performance — and second in two weeks, among his second catches (on seven targets) for 106 yards. Bralon Addison had seven catches (on nine targets) for a game-high 115 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion — all in the first half. Eugene Lewis also scored two touchdowns with five catches (six targets) for 51 yards. But not to be overlooked is the running of William Stanback, mostly with some big, drive-extending gains in the second half. Because the limit on the snaps Stanback could play under the ratio rule was eliminated when American safety Bennett Williams was scratched just before the game with a hamstring problem, Stanback had the chance to find his groove and respond with his biggest game as a Redblack. The 6-foot, 239-pounder had 17 carries for 84 yards, including three gains of 10 yards or more, and surely wore down the Argos defence on a hot summer day. Who were the Redblacks' top defensive players? Linebackers Jovan Santos-Knox and Adarius Pickett once again led the team in total tackles, with seven and six, respectively, while DB Deandre Lamont had five. Making a rare start in place of Bennett Williams after battling his own injury problems was former Carleton Raven Justin Howell, who had four defensive tackles. But the Redblacks' defensive player of the game was ex-Argo Robert Priester, who had a huge late-game pass knockdown and a win-sealing interception after he was scheduled to take a seat before Williams was scratched with a hamstring problem just before game time. It was a day of redemption for the 31-year-old Floridian, who was called out by head coach Bob Dyce earlier in the season for taking bad penalties. 'Coach Dyce is a great man, and it's his job to make sure this team is disciplined and I don't fault him for doing that,' Priester told Jakubec. 'It's my job to rise to the occasion and not fall, and let him know that I'm still here with this team no matter the role. That I can just keep going and keep fighting, and if he needs me to play anywhere else, and if I lose playing time because of that, just keep showing up and putting my hand in the dirt. Let him know that no matter what, I'm still with this team. I still fight for this team. I run through a wall for this team. I'm just thankful for Coach Dyce to even bringing me in, and it's his job, and he's doing a great job with this program to make sure he keeps us accountable.' What else was special about the Redblacks' day in Toronto? The performance of special teams coach Rick Campbell's group. The consistency problems of Lewis Ward, formerly known as 'Mr. Automatic,' continued as he missed a 36-yard field goal in the first quarter before connecting with a 35-yarder in the third, dropping his success rate to 77.7 percent, which is the seventh best in the league. Ward did send a kickoff 92 yards for a single point that made up for the Redblacks' failed two-point conversion of a touchdown, and Richie Leone averaged 49.7 yards on three punts while Toronto's John Haggerty had a 47.8 yard average on four. But the big win for the Redblacks was with their coverage and return units. They limited the extremely explosive Janarion Grant to a 23-yard average (six for 138) on kick returns and an 18-yard average on two punt returns. Meanwhile, Kalil Pimpleton set up the Redblacks' first touchdown with a 57-yard punt return for an average of 31 yards on two, and also averaged 31 yards on three kick returns (three for 93). The most surprising, longest, and important return from either team came from ex-Argo Daniel Adeboboye, who galloped 72 yards after receiving the second-half kickoff to set up the Lewis touchdown that completed the Redblacks' comeback from the first-quarter hole. 'I couldn't be prouder of these guys,' Dyce told Jakubec after the game. 'All three phases were there when they were needed. They did an outstanding job. 'Obviously, we wanted to win two in a row right now, so there's positivity and a lot of belief,' he added later. 'We have a short week, so we'll enjoy this as we head back to Ottawa tonight, and then get back to work, because this is one step. We've got bigger things ahead of us.'
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jets mailbag: Breaking down the off-season storylines
Who's ready for some hockey? Judging by the quantity — and quality — of questions coming our way, plenty of you are. The bad news? We've still got about six weeks to go until NHL training camps open. The good news? Our boys on the Winnipeg Jets beat, Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe, are here with answers in this month's mailbag. Hopefully this helps scratch the itch — and make the wait a little easier. Predictions from both of you: What will Jonathan Toews' goals/assists/totals be this year? RODGER Where will Toews fit in on the PP? @ WIEBE: These questions are separate but could be intertwined, to a certain degree anyway. With the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers, there is a vacancy on the top power-play unit. That spot will likely be taken by one of Toews or Cole Perfetti, depending on what assistant coach Davis Payne has in mind. Perfetti got some reps with the top unit last season in the pop position in the high slot and he's someone that can handle the responsibilities if called upon. As for Toews, he has some experience in that spot as well and having him on the top unit will provide some additional touches in the offensive zone. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews As for projections, trying to figure out what to expect from Toews offensively poses its own set of challenges since what he's coming back from on the health front is pretty rare. However, even with the two-year absence, Toews shouldn't take long to find his touch. Though his value is going to stretch far beyond the boxcar statistics — his leadership and intangibles and whatever value he brings in point totals. But since you asked, I'm going to go with 15 goals and 50 points for Toews this season, provided he plays north of 74 games. MCINTYRE: As Kenny states, there is a job opening on the PP, one I fully expect Toews to fill in some fashion. Whether it's on the top unit or PP2, he's going to get a look. Which, in turns, should help boost his offensive production. I'm going to take the 'over' on Kenny's prediction and say 16 goals and 55 points for Toews, which I say happens in 72 games. Fun fact: That's the exact stat line Blake Wheeler had in his final season with the Jets. When do we start becoming concerned about the lack of a Kyle Connor extension? CORY Can the Jets sign KFC to an 8-year extension today, or would they be limited to the 7-year maximum that the new CBA has, which will be in place when the new deal would start? JIM MCINTYRE: Concern? Certainly not right now. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had plenty of pressing matters to attend to this summer, the final one being the contract extension with Dylan Samberg, which were bigger priorities given the timelines. With that now in the rearview mirror, I expect attention has turned/will turn to Connor and captain Adam Lowry, who will both be entering the final year of their current contracts. Let the record show I firmly believe both men will put pen to paper and have new deals done by the time the puck drops on the new campaign on Oct. 9. If it's still crickets by that date, then I'd say it's time to start worrying. But I'm confident that we're not looking at another Ehlers situation here. As for the length of any contract, the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in next summer and has taken that eighth year off the table. Because Connor (and Lowry) are both signed to July 1, 2026, seven years would be the maximum. Connor turns 29 this December, so a max deal would take him through to the age of 36. I'm curious if he'd want to go that route, or perhaps something shorter (three or four years) which might allow for another big deal to get done at the age of 32 or 33, with a salary cap that will likely be ever higher at that point. Either way, I expect his annual average haul to be in double-digits, likely in the US$10-11 million range regardless of length. Lowry, now 32, will obviously not be signing a max deal, but something in the four to five year range would make plenty of sense, likely in the US$4-5 million dollar range. Is there any update on why the Jets didn't sign Dylan Samberg to a longer term? MARK WIEBE: Although both the Jets and Samberg's representatives kept things pretty close to the vest, by all accounts, this negotiation was amicable and it just came down to the fact that a bit more time is needed in order to determine the longer-range value of the shutdown defenceman. A three-year term allows both sides to get a clearer picture of what the longer-term AAV looks like and Samberg remaining a lifelong Jet very much remains a possibility. That the Jets are paying Samberg US$6.5 million in each of the final two years of the deal shows that they believe the 2017 second-rounder has the ability to continue his upward trajectory. JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg The US$4.25 million salary Samberg receives this coming season represents a dramatic boost from the US$1.4 million he made in each of the previous two campaigns, that's how the Jets landed at US$5.75 million over three years. This bridge deal amounts to the Jets buying two UFA years at a premium. Of course, the risk is that by not going seven or eight years (a number that won't be available under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement that begins for 2026-27), Samberg can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of 2028. However, it's also true that if Samberg plays the way he did last season — in his first year logging 20-plus minutes on the second pairing — for the next two seasons, that the Jets will have no problem ponying up a contract that resembles the seven x US$7 million pact that Vladislav Gavrikov signed with the New York Rangers this summer. It's possible that it could cost the Jets more in the long run by not extending Samberg sooner, as he's trending to become a foundational piece for them. However, the current deal aligns with the point of the winning window that should be the widest, given the age of the vast majority of the core pieces. Ensuring Samberg and Perfetti are part of that next wave will remain a priority for the Jets, with Perfetti needing a new deal of his own next summer. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being outstanding, what number best reflects Jets management efforts so far this off-season? And why that number? ED MCINTYRE: If we're talking about off the ice, then I'd say the number is close to 10. Signing the hometown hockey hero in Toews was a slam dunk when it comes to marketing and PR. However, I know your question is about the hockey product, so I'll give that a six at this point. Not great. Not terrible. But — and I know this will be a bit of as controversial take — there's nothing really wrong with that. The Jets didn't need to go out and hit a grand slam this summer. There's not a whole lot that was broken and needed fixing. I'm not sold on the idea of counting on Toews to be your No. 2 centre, but then I'm reminded of the fact the guy who held down that spot all of last year — on the team that finished No. 1 in the standings — is still on the roster. That would be Vlad Namestnikov. In other words, is 'Plan B' really that bad? Obviously the loss of Ehlers looms large, but I am intrigued to see what Gustav Nyquist can bring. He's just two years removed from an offensive explosion and could help fill the void left by the dashing Dane if he can find that game. Toews, and Tanner Pearson and Cole Koepke, were the other forward adds while Brandon Tanev, Mason Appleton and Rasmus Kupari were the other losses. Winnipeg's bread and butter last year was goaltending and defensive structure, and all the same personnel in those positions is back. The real key to me is that the Jets still have about US$4 million in cap space, which could accrue to a much bigger number by the trade deadline. That's when any holes in the lineup will need to be addressed, and you'd hope the Jets try and find a way to weaponize that in the best way possible. They didn't do so last year, so we'll see if history repeats itself. Do you think Alex Iafallo starts the new season on the third line? LEE WIEBE: After signing Iafallo to a three-year extension in mid-April, it's clear the Jets value what he's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. Where he fits on the depth chart is a little more difficult to project, mostly because of his versatility. The easy answer is to say that he will start on the fourth line because that's often where he's ended up — especially post-deadline — in each of the past two years. But Iafallo isn't a traditional fourth-line player, especially since he is one of the most-used penalty killers and is deployed on the second power-play unit. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's clear the Jets value what Alex Iafallo's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's clear the Jets value what Alex Iafallo's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. Because of his smarts, tenacity and consistent double-digit goal-scoring production, Iafallo could find himself in the mix to play on a line with Toews and Perfetti — though Nyquist likely gets the first opportunity in that spot. Because Lowry is going to miss the start of the season as he works his way back from hip surgery, Iafallo is definitely an option to line up beside Morgan Barron (or Namestnikov) and Nino Niederreiter or someone like Brad Lambert, Koepke or Pearson. Since it's unclear if Barron will be playing centre or potentially being used as a winger on the third line, the crystal ball remains a bit cloudy when it comes to where Iafallo slots in. But since a prediction was asked for, I'm going to say no, Iafallo starts the season on the fourth line — but he'll spend ample time on the third line over the course of the campaign. I've always liked the idea of Iafallo of playing on a line with Lowry and since they were often used together as penalty killers last season, perhaps we'll see them used more at even-strength as well. Upgrading the 3rd pair LHD should be one of the simpler tasks for a GM. Is re-signing Haydn Fleury the best option management could come up with? CORY MCINTYRE: Did it really need an upgrade? I happen to like what Fleury brings to the lineup, with solid decision making, smooth skating and efficient puck-moving along with some size and snarl. Like it or not — and I know many will chose the latter — they also still have Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola in the mix to play as well. On the right side, you've got Colin Miller, Luke Schenn and Elias Salomonsson all competing for work. In other words, going out and adding another blue-liner to an already crowded back-end wasn't really a priority, nor should it have been. If anything, I'm surprised someone hasn't been moved out to alleviate a logjam that is going to come to a head provided everyone stays healthy. The Jets have nine guys on one-way deals, all of whom would require waivers to be sent down. I fully expected one of Heinola or Stanley to get moved, even for a late-round draft pick, just to try and recoup something. Is it possible one or both would clear waivers at this point? Perhaps. The Jets have been the best defensive team in the NHL for two straight years, so status quo on the blue-line seems like a decent play to me. Who plays more games this season: Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Elias Salomonsson, or other? PETER WIEBE: The answer is not as easy as it would appear on the surface, particularly when it comes to how Chibrikov bounces back from the season-ending ankle injury he suffered late last season with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League. The feisty winger has shown well during his small snapshot in the NHL, chipping in three goals and four points in five games with the Jets during the past two seasons — his first two playing in North America. The timing of his injury was tough, since Chibrikov might have earned another call-up and had another chance to keep improving his standing before he was sidelined. The word in the summer was that Chibrikov's recovery was progressing nicely, though it's the lost development time that concerns me when it comes to predicting he gets the most games among those in the prospect pool. I see Chibrikov as a full-time NHLer by the following season, but he's likely going to need some additional time in the AHL to get himself back up to speed, given his style of play. My feelings about the ceiling of Salomonsson are well known and he projects to be a solid top-4 D-man within two or three seasons, but the right side of the blue line is crowded right now with Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk (who is starting a six-year extension this fall), Schenn and Miller. So it would take a trade or an injury or two for Salomonsson to immediately jump the queue this season. Since Salomonsson was also injured and missed precious development time last season (his first season playing in North America), additional time in the AHL will serve him well over the long run as well. But he will make his NHL debut this season and could force his way into the equation. As for Lambert, the door appears to be open for him to have the best chance to make the team out of training camp — though it won't be easy, given the veterans that were brought in during free agency. However, since the Jets like to play a fast game and quite a bit of speed is leaving the lineup (Ehlers, Appleton and Kupari), Lambert has the inside track to make the jump. Should he do that, it will be up to him to show that he's ready to be a full-time player. Nobody is asking Lambert to replace the production of Ehlers, though he could become a viable secondary scoring option that brings speed and creativity to the lineup, provided he shows he can handle the defensive responsibilities. In the 'other' category, Brayden Yager is the guy with the skill set and dependability to move his way to the front of the line — though he's not going to be rushed by the Jets. Yager is the sleeper in this category, but for the time being, my answer is Lambert. Have the Jets learned their lesson with playing Connor Hellebuyck into the ground because he says he's 'good to go' or is there hope for something other than a repeat of the last 4 seasons / post-seasons? @balewski748 MCINTYRE: There's no question Hellebuyck is among the last of a dying breed: A true workhorse No. 1 goaltender who owns the net. Want proof? Consider that he's appeared in 66, 64, 60 and 63 games over the past four seasons despite having a very capable backup (Laurent Brossoit, Eric Comrie) at his disposal. Of course, his usage has become a big storyline given that his playoff numbers haven't mirrored his regular-season ones. The theory is the Jets wear him out to the point he's running on fumes. I've never been a huge believer in that line of thinking. I think his spring struggles have as much to do with everyone on the team — forwards, defencemen and even Hellebuyck himself — not properly adjusting to the different style of hockey the playoffs require and, in some cases, not being able to get out of their own way or out of their own heads. JULIO CORTEZ /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES As long as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is healthy, the team will lean on him as much as possible. JULIO CORTEZ /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES As long as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is healthy, the team will lean on him as much as possible. Just look at how many tips and screens get by him once the stage gets bigger. Other teams have figured out how to get to the net against Winnipeg. That's got to change as much as anything, and no doubt the hockey club is banking on building off some very painful lessons they've learned in recent years. I'm expecting Hellebuyck to once again play at least 60 times this coming year. Winnipeg has nine back-to-back games, so you can count on Comrie splitting those with him. The team will then likely find another dozen or so outings for him to spell off Hellebuyck. I believe every NHL team would ride Hellebuyck as much as possible if they were lucky enough to have him on the roster, and I don't expect the Jets to tinker much with that. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner knows his body as well as anyone, and plenty of in-season rest is built in by having him skip selected practices along the way. A few less games during the season? Perhaps. But don't expect to see anything resembling a job-share no matter how solid the No. 2 guy is. As long as Hellebuyck is healthy, you lean on him as much as possible. Has or did Kevin Cheveldayoff ever officially close the door on a Kristian Vesalainen return? @goombugga WIEBE: To my knowledge, the Jets have not officially closed the door on Vesalainen returning to the NHL. But given that this will be the fourth consecutive season that Vesalainen is playing overseas, the chances of him returning to the NHL with the Jets seems to be dwindling. Although Vesalainen is only 26 years old, the 24th overall selection in the 2017 NHL draft hasn't expressed any interest to this point in rejoining the Jets, who still hold his rights. Vesalainen actually is coming off a solid season, posting 17 goals and 36 points in 40 games in SM-liiga with HIFK Helsinki. The left-winger recently signed with HPK in Liiga. That Vesalainen only ended up playing 70 games (with two goals and five points) for the Jets is somewhat surprising, given his size (six-foot-three, 207 pounds) and skating ability. But the adaptation to the North American game wasn't a smooth one and he never truly found his way offensively — outside of the 12 goals and 30 points he had in 60 games with the Moose in 2019-20. The NHL draft remains an inexact science and the Jets hit the jackpot in the second round with Samberg, who was chosen 47th overall in 2017. But some of the players taken after Vesalainen and before Samberg include Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, Calgary Flames centre Morgan Frost, Nashville Predators blue-liner Nicolas Hague, Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen and Stars sniper Jason Robertson. Assumption: You're the Jets GM (as Chevy is on vacation) and trading for a 2C is your top priority (as it's been determined that the Jets' 'internal' prospects, I.e. Brayden Yager, Brad Lambert, etc., won't be ready for at least one more year; at bare minimum). Question: Which player would be your top trade target, why & what assets (roster players, prospects, draft picks, etc.) would you (seriously) be willing to spend/use in order to acquire said trade target? TONY MCINTYRE: Brayden Schenn. I thought he'd be a perfect fit prior to the trade deadline last year, and that was solidified for me when I watched him be a one-man wrecking ball against the Jets during their first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues. Could Winnipeg find a way to pry him loose this time around? I'd certainly be asking. Nazem Kadri is another interesting one for me, given that he's the type of player who can really help you in the playoffs. There's talk about Calgary looking to move him, and the Jets should be in on that if true. In terms of what would go the other way, I firmly believe these Jets have to 'live in the moment' and do everything in the here and now to try and win a Stanley Cup. So, essentially, everything should be on the table — first round pick, all your top prospects, etc. Are there any Jets' draft picks on the radar for Canada's world junior team this year? GARY WIEBE: Although there weren't any of them invited to participate in the summer evaluation camp, it's possible that forwards Kevin He and Kieron Walton could force their way into the mix if they're able to get off to hot starts like they did last fall in the Ontario Hockey League. His explosiveness and dogged pursuit on the forecheck, coupled with his offensive outburst, would make him an interesting candidate. Walton's ability to level up as an 18-year-old at his size makes him someone who could warrant a look as well, but there are a lot of high-profile draft picks among the forward group at the summer camp that would either need to be in the NHL or get off to slow starts for opportunities to open up. However, 2025 first-rounder Sascha Boumedienne should be on Team Sweden and he could be joined by 2024 second-rounder Alfons Freij on the defence corps. So, there should be plenty of Jets fans watching the event with interest. With Jack Roslovic still being a UFA, does Winnipeg sign him? @ MCINTYRE: It's quite interesting that the 25th-overall draft pick from 2015, who put up a solid 39 points (22G, 17A) in 81 games last year with the Carolina Hurricanes, is still available this late into the off-season. It tells me that Roslovic and his agent, Claude Lemieux, are likely seeing either a term and/or salary that nobody at this point is willing to bite on. For those reasons alone, I say the answer to your question is a resounding 'no.' Just as he was during his time in Winnipeg, Roslovic continues to be the ultimate streaky player — hot for a week or two, then ice cold after that. He got off to a roaring start last season but by the playoffs was a healthy scratch at times. That's just who he is. I fully expect he signs with a team between now and mid-September when training camps begin — Vancouver reportedly has interest — but he may have to lower his asking price to make it work. Do you think the Jets will do anything for Dustin Byfuglien's retirement? That is, of course, if we could get him back here for a day or two. I assume there will be something for Blake Wheeler also. MARSHALL WIEBE: Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, but if and when he takes care of the paperwork, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. JIM MONE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES While Dustin Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, when he does, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. JIM MONE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES While Dustin Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, when he does, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. When that takes place is anyone's guess, since Byfuglien has done a great job of staying out of the spotlight since walking away from the sport during the 2019-20 season. Byfuglien prefers to stay in the shadows, but might make an exception at some point. As for Wheeler, he made his retirement official earlier this month after not playing in the NHL last season. Given the impact he made during 12 seasons, it's logical to think that he will also be honoured by the Jets at some point down the road. Former captain Andrew Ladd would also fall in that category — along with a few other players from the Jets 1.0 days. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Read full biography Ken WiebeReporter Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
National Post
3 days ago
- National Post
Fajardo, Julien-Grant help Elks rally to beat Alouettes 23-22 in return to Montreal
MONTREAL — Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo still has fond memories of leading the Montreal Alouettes to the 2023 Grey Cup championship, a moment he calls 'number 1' on his list of accomplishments throughout his decade playing in the CFL. Article content Friday night's 23-22 Elks win over the Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium, however, now comes a close second on Fajardo's list. Article content Article content The 33-year-old, making his first start against Montreal since being traded by the Alouettes to the Elks for McLeod Bethel-Thompson last December, led Edmonton on a game-winning drive, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown throw to another former Alouette, Kaion Julien-Grant, with just 15 seconds remaining on the clock. Article content 'You can tell on that last play he (Kaion) dragged that defender into the end zone,' said Fajardo. 'That's how much he wanted it. That's how much I wanted it. This one meant a little bit more. I wasn't afraid to say it all week.' Article content Article content Since taking over for Canadian Tre Ford on July 26, Fajardo has thrown for 892 yards, to go along with five touchdowns and just one interception. He improved his record to 5-1 in his career against the Alouettes with the win. Article content Julien-Grant, who spent five seasons as a member of the Alouettes (from 2019-2024), accounted for both of Edmonton's offensive touchdowns on the night. It was the 29-year-old's first time back in Montreal since signing as a free agent with the Elks in February. Article content Article content 'They're fighters, they're pros,' said Elks head coach Mark Kilam in reference to both Fajardo and Julien-Grant. 'They always believe. I'm happy for them because you know there's questions around both. There's times our offence was struggling a little bit, but they kept fighting and they kept chipping away.' Article content Edmonton (2-6) won for the first time in four tries. It was also their first road win of the season. Article content 'We went out there and we finished against a really good team,' said Fajardo. 'Hopefully, this gets the momentum going for us. We understand we can make mistakes and still win football games.' Article content Bethel-Thompson, starting his fifth game at quarterback this season in place of the injured Davis Alexander, struggled on offence for the Alouettes. The 37-year-old completed just 10 of his 15 pass attempts, good for a meagre 79 yards, and was intercepted once. Article content As a result, Alouettes head coach Jason Maas turned to third-string quarterback Caleb Evans to start the second half. He threw for 113 yards and one touchdown.
