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Winnipeg Free Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘I love being a Winnipeg Jet'
Mason Appleton not only wore his heart on his sleeve, he stated his intentions just above the brim of his cap. As he stood in front of reporters on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets right-winger was sporting a lid with WPG on it. For someone who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, it wasn't an accident Appleton chose to show his support to a community he's grown to be a big part of, spending nearly seven-and-a-half of his eight NHL seasons in the Jets' organization. 'Obviously each side has to talk and stuff has to get figured out. I love being a Winnipeg Jet. It's all I've really known. I was in Seattle for a short while. I love it here and I love this organization. If we could work it out, I'd be happy to be a Jet,' said Appleton, who was asked a follow-up about what was on his checklist for his next contract. 'I'm 29. I'd like some term, some stability on that. But, at the same time, sometimes that changes the numbers on that. I guess I kind of got an idea in my head. We haven't really had much communication with them. Hopefully, in the next little bit here maybe we could get to work and see what both sides want and go from there.' Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents in the organization. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents in the organization. With some unknowns surrounding his future, Appleton admits that saying goodbye is a bit different this time around. 'Yeah, it is. I've never been in a spot like this, as a potential UFA,' said Appleton, originally chosen by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL draft. 'When you've got a term left on your deal, a loss stings and the season ends and you end up where you dwell and you get over it and then, 'It's OK, we've got next year.' 'That's not the reality for me right now. You don't know what next year brings or where that will be. But, like I said, I love being a Winnipeg Jet.' Appleton is one of eight pending UFAs in the organization, which includes Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev, Dominic Toninato and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, defencemen Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan and goalie Chris Driedger. Ehlers is the highest profile player on the list and even as he was suiting up for Denmark at the 2025 IIHF men's world championship, his future was one of the topics discussed. 'I love it here and I love this organization. If we could work it out, I'd be happy to be a Jet.'–Mason Appleton After being added to the top power-play unit this year, Ehlers saw an uptick in his production, registering 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games before adding five goals and seven points in eight playoff contests. 'He's an awesome guy to be around and it's been such a pleasure watching him grow his game — not only on the ice but off the ice as well — and watching him become the guy he is,' said Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. 'He's such a big part of this family and the heart and soul of a lot of things we do here. Not only does he bring it on the ice, but just around the rink he's a pleasure to be around. 'You know he's going to have your back no matter what you're going through. He's a big part of the group.' Tanev was reminiscing about his first tour of duty with the organization and thankful for a second crack at a playoff run in 2025. 'Obviously, I had my start here and to come back for a second go around, it's awesome,' said Tanev. 'It was an opportunity to come to a good group, a great city with good people in it and to live out your dream playing in the NHL. I think no matter where you are, your goal is to play in the NHL and to win a Stanley Cup. 'So I've always been grateful for my time here in Winnipeg, and it's been awesome and the fans and everyone have made it that way.' 'Being able to play in a city where hockey matters for me is huge.'–Haydn Fleury Defenceman Fleury signed a two-way deal to play a depth role, but ended up suiting up in some of the Jets most important games of the season, including a Game 7 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the opening round. There were ups-and-downs to endure, as injuries opened the door for Fleury to see some second pairing minutes with Neal Pionk during the first half of the season, but a lower-body issue he sustained on Dec. 23 against the Toronto Maple Leafs impeded his momentum to the point he was a healthy scratch down the stretch and for the beginning of the playoffs. But Fleury appeared in 39 games during the regular season and then got into eight of the 13 post-season contests, enhancing his value, whether he sticks around or hits the open market. 'I'd love to stay. I really enjoyed my time here,' said Fleury. 'My wife and my kids really enjoy it. And being able to play in a city where hockey matters for me is huge. And just to be able to show my kids how much a sport can do for a community is something that I'm really proud that I got to show my son this year.' The Jets already have eight blue-liners under contract for next season, while Elias Salmonsson will be trying to work his way into the equation as well. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Haydn Fleury makes his way out of the locker room as the players pack up for the season. Fleury is also an unrestricted free agent this off-season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Haydn Fleury makes his way out of the locker room as the players pack up for the season. Fleury is also an unrestricted free agent this off-season. THE CHANCE: Appleton had the best chance to give the Jets the lead in Game 6 on Saturday, but Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger made a sprawling glove save to prevent his backdoor shot from going in with roughly eight-and-a-half minutes to go in regulation time. Appleton brought up the chance unprompted and got emotional when talking about the glorious opportunity to provide the go-ahead goal. 'The puck didn't really settle how I wanted it to, so I didn't really hit it how I needed or wanted to,' said Appleton. 'You look back at it, (if) you score the goal, you're winning the game. So, yeah, obviously it's kind of haunting in a sense. Frustrating. 'But at the same time you see goalies make incredible saves. I didn't get what I wanted on it, but at the end of the day it's a game of inches.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. As haunting as the missed chance was, Appleton said it was one of many moments that could have gone either way in the tight series with the Stars. 'You think about those things for days,' said Appleton. 'It's athletes competing. It's not pen and paper where you're just figuring out stuff and it's yes or no answers. That's not how the game of hockey works. There's what ifs in everyday life, but there's a million in hockey with two teams competing at that pace for 60 minutes. What if they didn't hit the post there close to the end and it just went in? Like a million what ifs on both sides, but man, yeah, it's a sport and it is what it is.' Appleton finished the playoffs with seven assists in 13 games, which left him tied for third on the team with Ehlers and defenceman Pionk. Only Mark Scheifele (12 points) and Kyle Connor (five goals, 17 points) produced more than Appleton offensively during the first two rounds. Appleton had 10 goals and 22 points in 71 games during the regular season, a slight dip from the career-high 14 goals and 34 points he had in 82 games in 2023-24. INJURY UPDATE: During the playoffs, Jets defenceman Luke Schenn dropped a hint that he wasn't necessarily a healthy scratch when he was replaced by Colin Miller early in the second-round series with the Stars. On Thursday, he revealed that he had been playing with a pair of cracked ribs, the result of a hit he delivered in the third period of Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues. 'I just went to go hit a guy and felt it right there,' said Luke. 'I had that for the remainder of the playoffs, so yeah, it's obviously, it's tough. I mean, that was a hard-fought, physical series and then you're trying to continue to play with that. So, no, it's not an excuse, it's just, you're trying to battle through that while not being hesitant, that was the grind. But the training staff did an incredible job and just sort of, yeah, tried to push through and help the team any way I could.' Are cracked ribs the same as broken ribs? 'It's not, but I'm not the doctor,' said Schenn. 'But all I know is it doesn't feel great.' Luke wasn't the only Schenn brother playing through pain. Nor was he the only member of the Schenn family keeping a secret. '(Brayden) did not know about that,' said Luke. 'Funny enough, he had an injury that was almost very similar to mine, and I didn't know about his either, and he comes up after Game 7 and he goes, 'Yeah, I'm pretty banged up,' and I go, 'Point,' and he shows me the spot, and I'm like, 'That's literally where I'm sore, too.' And my dad knew, and he didn't tell both of us either.' X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. 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.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 Florida malls, shopping centers on chopping block as owner plans sale of all properties
Washington Prime Group, the owner of about 70 malls around the United States, including 10 in Florida, is selling its remaining malls and shopping centers. The company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2021, also is laying off 139 workers at its Ohio headquarters. Washington Prime said about half of its properties were sold in 2024. "As part of WPG's multi-year journey, the company continues to sell assets in its portfolio, with about half of WPG's properties sold in the past year, while the remainder of the portfolio is or will soon be on the market," the company said in a statement. Here's what is happening. Florida malls owned by Washington Prime Group are: University Town Plaza, Pensacola Orange Park Mall, Orange Park Paddock Mall, Ocala Gaitway Plaza, Ocala West Town Corners, Altamonte Springs Melbourne Square Mall, Melbourne WestShore Plaza, Tampa Edison Mall, Fort Myers Boynton Beach Mall, Boynton Beach Royal Eagle Plaza, Coral Springs Washington Prime Group said on its website it owns 70+ properties in the U.S., with most located in the Southwest and Midwest. Based on its online map, states with the most malls and shopping centers are: Florida: 10 Texas: 9 Ohio: 4 Indiana: 4 There's no specific date but the company said, "the remainder of the portfolio is or will soon be on the market." Half of the company's properties sold in the past year, with sales of all remaining sites coming. Washington Prime Group, which also owns Polaris Fashion Place, will lay off 139 workers at its Columbus, Ohio, headquarters as it sells malls and shopping centers across the U.S. The company said the workers will be laid off starting June 2, with all layoffs occurring by March 31, 2026. "WPG is reducing its headcount to reflect the downsized organization," according to a statement. Mall owner Washington Prime Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2021, citing the COVID-19 pandemic for making the move necessary. The company, which spun off from the nation's largest mall operator, Simon Property Group in 2014, had 102 shopping centers at the time. Contributor: Jim Weiker, Columbus Dispatch This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 10 Florida malls, shopping centers to be sold by Washington Prime Group
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Skater Pickups Feb. 24 – Jets' Cole Perfetti and LA's Alex Laferriere two to target Monday
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games. FORWARDS: Cole Perfetti, C/LW/RW, WPG vs. SJ (30% rostered)Perfetti returned from the two-week break just as he ended it, red-hot. He notched a pair of assists , extending his point streak to six games, during which he has tallied a goal and seven helpers. Perfetti is up to 11 markers and 25 apples over 57 outings, putting him just two points shy of matching his career-high total from 71 contests set last season. Will Smith, C, SJ @ WPG (7% rostered)Smith. profiled yesterday, gets another mention with just two games scheduled. He headed into the 4 Nations Face-Off break with two goals and six helpers over his prior nine outings but was shut out Sunday. Smith, taken fourth overall in 2023, took a while to find his form, as he was in-and-out of the lineup initially and then his production was uneven. But with the Sharks looking to the future, Smith is playing right wing on the team's second line. Pavel Dorofeyev, LW/RW, LV @ LA (40% rostered)Dorofeyev continued to build on his career-best season, lighting the lamp Saturday. That tally upped his numbers to 23 goals, 36 points and 165 shots on net in 56 games. Dorofeyev has shown that the 13 markers and 11 apples he notched in 47 contests last season was no fluke and he was just scratching the surface of what he could do. a 30-goal, 50-point season is within reach. Alex Laferriere, RW, LA vs. LV (20% rostered)Laferriere picked up from where he left before the break, denting the scoresheet. He bent the twine Saturday, upping his season marks to 15 goals, 31 points, 122 shots on net, 85 hits and a plus-16 rating over 50 appearances. Laferriere has bounced between lines in the middle-six and is currently on the third trio, though that has not slowed him much. He will finish the season with career-highs in every category as he has become a key member of the Kings' attack. DEFENSEMEN Dylan Samberg, WPG vs. SJ (3% rostered)Samberg's value mainly shows up on the defensive side of the ice and in real-life, as opposed to fantasy, hockey. Despite this, he is still on pace to establish new highs offensively, registering four goals and 13 points through 36 games this season. Samberg is skating on the second pair, opposite Neal Pionk, seeing five-plus more minutes of ice time a game, aiding his offensive production.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Goalie Pickups Feb. 24 – Vitek Vanecek if you dare
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games. Two games on Monday, February 24 * = confirmed Vitek Vanecek, SJ @ Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (7 p.m. ET) Adin Hill, LV @ Darcy Kuemper, LA (10:30 p.m. ET) Vitek Vanecek, SJ @ WPG (2% rostered)This is far from an ideal matchup for Vanecek. San Jose comes in having lost to Calgary the night before and get to take on the Western Division Jets. With only two games on the docket, selecting Vanecek is mainly if you are desperate for a netminder. Vanecek is 3-9-2 with a 4.01 goals-against average and an .878 save percentage across 16 appearances, so the best you may be able to hope for is a healthy number of saves. Remember to bookmark The Hockey News Fantasy site for stats, news, analysis, rankings, projections and more, including the Sleepers and Keepers fantasy hockey podcast!
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With Macy's closing, what's next for Tampa's WestShore Plaza mall?
Since the 1960s, WestShore Plaza has been a gathering place for Tampa residents to shop, catch a movie or grab a bite to eat. But like many aging malls, it's seen better days. Earlier this month, Macy's announced it was shuttering its outpost in the mall along with 65 other locations nationwide. WestShore Plaza said farewell to another major tenant in October when Dick's Sporting Goods moved up the road to the rival mall International Plaza. Losing an anchor store is ordinarily a death knell for a mall. But Westshore Plaza was already slated for a reincarnation of sorts. In April, Tampa City Council rezoned the 53-acre site to make way for a major redevelopment proposed by WestShore Plaza's Ohio-based owner, WPG. The plan calls for hundreds of residential units, a hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, recreational space, medical facilities and more. Though e-commerce has put a dent in brick-and-mortar sales, people are still shopping in person, they're just seeking a different experience said Justin Greider, vice president and Florida retail lead for the commercial real estate firm JLL. As more traditional enclosed malls shut down, mixed-use developments that give visitors the chance to 'live, work and play' all in the same space are popping up . It's a slow evolution seen across Tampa Bay in recent years. At Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg, the former big-box center has experimented by adding its own Dick's Sporting Goods and a grocery store. In Tampa, wildly popular shopping centers like Midtown and Hyde Park Village prove the success of this more community-centric model. When it opened more than half a century ago, WestShore Plaza was the only fully indoor, air conditioned mall in town. It was so popular, another wing had to be added in the 1970s. But as more options emerged, WestShore struggled to compete. When International Plaza opened in 2001, it didn't take long for it to overtake WestShore as the city's premier premier shopping destination. Over the years, International Plaza drew luxury brands away from WestShore and Hyde Park. And today, the culture of in-person shopping has dampened the need for more than one major mall. A case study from the National Association of Realtors analyzed 94 vacant malls and found that 16% were being repurposed as mixed-use developments. WPG has yet to secure financing for the WestShore Plaza redevelopment and no demolition permit has been filed. The company declined to comment for this story. It can often take months or years for work to begin even after approvals are won, Greider said. Plus, WPG is facing a 'challenging lending market,' where even the smallest details could make or break a financing deal. It may take time to find the right buyer if WPG decides to sell instead of developing themselves. 'Buyers are pickier than they've ever been before, there are fewer than there's ever been before and there are a lot more opportunities for them to consider,' Greider said. If sales at WestShore Plaza continue to decline, there's a chance the mall could shut down before there is a path forward for redevelopment. Despite the obstacles, Greider said WestShore Plaza is better poised for a transformation than a typical suburban mall, which tend to be located far from high-growth areas on massive pieces of land that are harder to market. 'West Shore as a place to live and even a place to shop is very much on the rise and in demand,' he said. 'There's going to be something fantastic in this location, I just can't tell you when.'
