Winnipeg Free Press http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/remember-the-love-418714053.html

Remember the love? The nicest thing you can say about this Jets season is... it's almost over

By: Melissa Martin

FOUR years from now, or slightly longer, an enterprising writer will publish a glossy book about the Jets’ first decade back in the city. (This is assuming there are still printed books in that not-so-distant future. If there are not, replace the word "glossy" with "digitally glowing.")

In that inevitable retrospective, 2016-17 will fill a grey inner chapter. It will come just as readers are tempted to flip to later pages. Anticipating this, the author will try to lure them back with evocative metaphors, and those metaphors will make the season seem more interesting than it was.

So, this will be remembered as the year the fire went out of MTS Centre, the year the self- appointed loudest building in the NHL became acquainted with awkward silence, the year that — with regards to John K. Samson — fans in seats began to go missing like teeth.

Remember when tickets to a game, any game, were only slightly less precious than an original Picasso? Remember when you’d admire them in your hands, as if Willy Wonka had bought the team and this was the Golden Ticket? Every few nights, just over 15,000 of us got to feel like a hockey Charlie Bucket.

It’ll be fun to tell kids about that, someday. After this season, we know those euphoric days are truly over. Other than a certain Finnish player who played in a flash-like manner in his rookie season — sounds familiar for some reason, can’t quite put a finger on it — we will primarily remember this campaign for its repetition.

This will be the one where the Jets fell out of the playoff race, again. The one where fans clung to the hope of bright, young talent again. The one where fans were asked, again, to empty their wallets for the hope of a future. It’s an unusual reversal of a typical mattress salesman’s pitch: five years in, the Jets are offering pay now, buy later.

And when their season ends tonight, with a 6 p.m. home game against the playoff-bound Nashville Predators, it will feel almost merciful.

Fans will cheer the players off to another early summer, then shrug and wander out of the arena. They’ll think about ordering a pizza. They’ll begin to let their mind wander off the Jets.

This week, I asked a friend to name his favourite part of the 2016-17 season. "It’s almost over," he said.

So here we are, in the doldrums of that inevitable future retrospective.

After six seasons, we’ve learned many things about this team and its players. But we have also learned something about growing expectations: we always hoped the Jets would be more than plucky also-rans. We longed for them to become our winter salvation.

The Jets were always bound to disappoint us. We loved them not for who they were, but as a promise.

Truth is, we didn’t see their face until we were standing at the altar. We signed the papers anyway. We married that team, took it on a honeymoon and got sloshed on margaritas.

It seemed like a good match, under those whirlwind conditions: somewhere in the shiny getting- to-know-you smiles, it sure did feel like love.

For a few years, that heady infatuation was enough. Then came 2014-15, and its thrilling playoff push. They didn’t win a single game in that post-season, getting swept by the , but the fact they’d made it there was enough. If wanted fans to trust the process, that trust seemed to be paying off.

Oh, what a difference a couple of years makes.

This season, fan restlessness became palpable. The Heritage Classic temporarily soothed that growing disquiet and healed the broken narrative of Jets history. On the other hand, the alumni game’s nostalgia stood in contrast against the mounting pressure of the present.

All too often, the first NHL team called the ended their seasons with a whimper. This time, we want more. This year, we didn’t get it; in late March, my colleague Jason Bell wrote a piece entitled, Still plenty of reasons to stay tuned to the Jets.

With a headline like that, you know the dream is over.

It’s not that Jay was wrong about any of the dangled (and dangling) carrots that kept fans chasing every play.

Watching was pure joy, regardless of what happens with the Calder. Nik Ehlers showed a spark that bodes well for his future. The farm is sprouting a bumper crop of youngsters: Jack Roslovic, Kyle Connor.

This was also the year , who slowly (but steadily) heated up since his 2011 draft, finally boiled over.

Indeed, Scheifele’s performance vindicated every Jets fan who spent five long years in the trenches of hockey forums, doing battle against legions of No. 55 skeptics.

Know how hard it is to silence online hockey critics?

Well, Scheifele’s 80-plus points (this column was written on Wednesday) oughta do it... mostly. Look, we’re talking online forums. Some people complain about everything.

So those are all good things, hopeful things, things that let us hold onto the belief that these Jets will someday be the team we hoped to marry.

How soon will that be? No one can really say.

How many more decent draft picks will it take? If we go by Edmonton as an example... uh, let’s hope we’re not going by Edmonton as an example.

Meanwhile, as the Jets pack their bags for another early summer, fans can take some solace in this: by wanting more —now, not later — a hockey-loving city is coming into its own.

Not so long ago, it was enough just to see Winnipeg in the show; now, it begins to demand a spot in the heart of the discussion.

If there is to be a book written about the first decade of the reborn Jets, this will be a grey chapter.

There may be a redemption arc to come, one that ends in burnished silver Cups. Or maybe that redemption never comes. Either way, we fell in love with a team, once — and it’s not too much to ask that the relationship stays fun. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/big-buff-encouraged-about-future- 418705283.html

Big Buff encouraged about future Experienced gained during second half bodes well for 2017-18

By: Mike Sawatzky

Dustin Byfuglien made a rare appearance in front of microphones Friday afternoon and the Winnipeg Jets star defenceman responded to a variety of questions from the media.

On the club’s strong play of late, despite missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons since relocating from Atlanta, and its six-game winning streak heading into tonight’s regular- season finale against the visiting Nashville Predators he said, "We can take a lot of good things out of our second half, to look forward to next year. There’s a lot of good in our game. These last few we’ve been getting some young kids in and giving them the opportunity to get a feel for the NHL."

What have the Jets done right?

"(We) outscored our opponents. I guess I really haven’t sat down and really watched any of it. But we’ve kept it pretty simple and we didn’t stop working...

"It’s good for our organization going into a summer. Why’d we beat these guys down the stretch at this time of year compared to the middle or beginning of the season? Where our team was from the beginning to the end, we can do a lot of good things with a break."

Is a late hot streak due to the pressure being off?

"There’s probably more pressure now. Guys fighting for a job next year and guys trying to establish themselves trying to earn that full-time NHL spot. This time of year is one of the toughest times to play. Other teams are getting ready for playoffs. We’re trying to get guys to be an NHL guy."

What about expectations for next season? Will the Jets be a playoff team?

"It’s way too early to look ahead that far. This year’s not even over. Every locker room changes every year. We’re going to have new guys coming in and some guys going out. That’s the business. We’ve got to wait until it gets closer."

Was he encouraged by the team’s play?

"Yeah. We’re not far off a playoff spot. Just little things we can work on to get better."

What was his evaluation of rookie Josh Morrissey and AHL call-up Julian Melchiori, who served as his main defence partners this season?

"(Morrissey) sees the ice unbelievable. He’s a good skater. He really committed himself to establishing himself in the NHL. He had a great year. I got to spend most of the time with him. I had fun. It’s just little things you can teach those guys that I enjoy doing.

"Even (Melchiori) came in and had a pretty good second half. It’s just ‘go out there and have fun’ with these kids. Keep ’em loose and yell at ’em and just have fun. They’ve both done great jobs. Mels came in and (has) done great on that left side for me. That’s one thing that’s nice when you can rely on your partners."

Is he interested in playing for the American squad at the upcoming world championship?

"We’ll have to cross that path when it comes. I would think they probably will (call), but who knows?"

Are the Jets just an experienced away from contending?

"You could sit and pick our team apart whichever way you want. We could use some more D, we could use forwards, too. There’s stuff that’s out of our control. We’ve just got to come to work. Who we’ve got is who we’ve got. We’ve just got to make it work."

Does he support a contract extension for Paul Maurice, who has a year remaining on his current deal?

"Yeah, he should be sticking around. I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything to say on that one. He’s done a pretty good job with these kids, and just teaching us and getting us to pull in the right direction." http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/long-season-takes-a-toll-on-young-superstar- 418705113.html

Long season takes a toll on young superstar Jets' rookie unsure if he'll play at world championships

By: Mike Sawatzky

Patrik Laine has performed superhuman feats on the ice, but the Jets’ rookie right-winger admitted Friday he’s mortal after all and has been feeling the wear and tear of a long NHL season.

"The pace is just so much higher and, of course, we’re playing almost every second day," said Winnipeg’s sensational Finn, who turns 19 on April 19. "So it’s tough and all the travelling and switching time zones, that’s something I’m (wasn’t) used to. Right now, I’m pretty tired. One more game tomorrow, and, hopefully, I’m gonna get a break after that."

Laine, who was named MVP of last spring’s world championship and also played for Finland at last fall’s World Cup, was non-committal about playing for his country at the worlds next month in Paris and Cologne.

"I don’t know yet," said Laine, who missed eight games at mid-season while recovering from a concussion. "There’s a lot of things I have to think about. I might go. I might not go."

Jets head coach Paul Maurice would be just as happy if Laine takes an extended break.

"I think he’s played enough hockey for two men over the last year and a half," Maurice said.

Big year for Ehlers Jets left-winger Nikolaj Ehlers’ sophomore season has exceeded most expectations. He has 25 goals and 64 points and will be one of only four Winnipeg players to play in all 82 regular- season games.

"I think I’ve taken a big step in every thing," Ehlers said. "The biggest step I’ve taken, and I haven’t really shown the last couple of games, is defensively. I feel like I’ve taken a big step and I’ve just tried to work on all the small details that Paul, the coaching staff, the players have told me about and helped me a bit."

Ehlers will be available to play for Denmark at the upcoming world championship, an unintended benefit of missing the NHL post-season.

"I love going," Ehlers said. "I love playing for the Danish national team. Putting that jersey on gives you a special feeling, being able to represent your country, so I love going... It’s a super- exciting tournament. Next year it’s in Denmark. Hopefully, I can’t go next year, but it’s always exciting to go back home and represent your country."

Trouba to Europe? Blue-liner Jacob Trouba is wrapping up the most-successful season of his career, but will he cap it with an appearance at the worlds for Team USA?

"I don’t know yet," Trouba said. "I’ve got a call, but I have to make a decision on that. Hopefully, in the next couple of days. See how some things heal up, I guess. We’ll see if I’ll be good to go by then. (There’s) an injury that has to heal before I feel comfortable playing." http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/high-flying-jets-prospect-harkins-inks- deal-418656193.html

High-flying Jets prospect Harkins inks deal

The Winnipeg Jets have signed another highly regarded prospect, agreeing to terms with forward Jansen Harkins on a three-year entry-level contract with an average annual value of US$925,000.

Harkins, who signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL's for the remainder of the 2016-17 season, recently completed a four-year career with the WHL's . The 19-year-old led the Cougars in scoring with 72 points, including 19 goals, in 64 games.

Harkins scored 242 points, including 75 goals, 275 games during his career with the Cougars and leaves Prince George as the franchise points leader. He was twice named to the WHL All- Star team for the Canada/Russia Series and played in the 2015 Top Prospects Game.

Harkins was selected by the Jets in the second round (47th overall) in the 2015 draft. He joins Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic as the first three Jets selections from the 2015 draft class that have signed professional deals. Connor and Roslovic were first-round draft picks.

On the international scene, Harkins won a silver medal at the 2014 World Under-18 Hockey Challenge as a member of Team Pacific, a gold medal with Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze with Canada at the 2015 under-18 world championship.

Meanwhile, the Moose announced the signing of Jets prospect Michael Spacek to an amateur tryout agreement. Spacek was Winnipeg's fourth-round pick (108th overall) in 2015.

The 19-year-old forward is coming off his second season in the WHL with Red Deer where he paced the Rebels in scoring this season with 85 points, including 30 goals, in 59 games, good for 17th overall in the WHL. Spacek led the WHL in scoring through the first round of the playoffs, totalling 12 points, including four goals, in seven games.

Spacek, from Pardubice, Czech Republic, has collected 139 points in 120 WHL games. He represented the Czech Republic at the world junior championship the past three years, posting nine points, including three goals, in 15 tournament games.

The Moose also announced they have released forwards Adam Pleskach, Phil Brewer and Rob Flick from their professional tryouts.

Winnipeg Sun http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/04/07/six-straight-for-jets-means-bupkis

Six straight for Jets means bupkis

BY PAUL FRIESEN, WINNIPEG SUN

Six straight wins to end a season is the perfect way for a team to go into the tournament.

For a team that's not playoff-bound, it's about as meaningful as winning six consecutive pre- season games in September.

“I don't put any more stock into our team game at this time of year than almost exhibition,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said, Friday. “I'm not looking at this and saying, 'Hey, we've won six in a row, we're right there -- we're starting the season next year 6-0.'

“The two points in the standings now aren't very valuable.”

Amid the desperate search for positives by some, it's refreshing, and a bit surprising, to hear Maurice downplay what his team has done over the last two weeks.

Individually, he was quick to out, these games are important in the competition for jobs and roles next season.

But a sign the Jets have discovered a winning formula or suddenly become a contender – not a chance.

NO. 33 SPEAKS Reporters were told Friday would likely be defenceman Dustin Byfuglien's last interview of the season, as he speaks just once every full moon, or so.

Byfuglien didn't discount the win streak the way his coach did.

“It's good for our organization going into a summer,” he said. “Why'd we beat these guys down the stretch at this time of year compared to the middle or beginning of the season? Where our team was from the beginning to the end -- we can do a lot of good things with a break.”

While saying the Jets aren't far off a playoff spot, Byfuglien wouldn't bite on the suggestion better goaltending would have made the difference.

“You could sit and pick our team apart whichever way you want,” he said. “Who we've got is who we've got. We've just got to make it work.”

Byfuglien did throw his support behind Maurice.

“Yeah, he should be sticking around,” he said. “He's done a pretty good job with these kids, and just teaching us and getting us to pull in the right direction.”

WILTED UNDER PRESSURE Rookie Patrik Laine says the Jets didn't handle playoff pressure well – but doesn't include himself in that assessment.

“It's easier to play because we don't have any pressures and we can just go out there and have fun and just play the game,” Laine said. “It doesn't affect me at all. I'm playing the same game if I have pressure or not.

“But you can feel it on the ice. I can't really explain it. It's pretty hard. But you can feel it... when there's a lot of pressure.”

OUT OF GAS One of the reasons Laine has cooled of late is probably fatigue.

He recently told me he played around 100 games last season, including his Finnish League playoffs, the World Juniors and World Championship.

Coupled with his first NHL season, it's hit him like a ton of bricks.

“Yeah, it's been a long season,” he said. “There was the World Cup and all the exhibition games and almost a full season and concussions and that kind of stuff... the pace is just so much higher and, of course, we're playing almost every second day.

“So it's tough, and all the travelling and switching time zones – that's something I haven't (been) used to. Right now I'm pretty tired.”

Laine's not even sure he'll join Finland for next month's World Championship.

“I've had a couple of phone calls but I haven't really thought about it yet. I might go, I might not go.”

You would think there'd be a ton of pressure from his home country to play.

“He's played enough hockey for two men over the last year and a half,” Maurice said. “And he's found that you're not getting to the end of an NHL season healthy. The World Championship is a really individual decision... I'm not going to have any interest in turning on the TV to find Patrik playing.

“He does what he wants, but he doesn't need to go there for me.”

WORLDS-BOUND? So far, Mark Scheifele is the only Jet committed to the Worlds.

Maurice says defenceman Tyler Myers is also a possibility for Team Canada.

Defenceman Jacob Trouba says he'd love to play for the U.S. but needs to heal up, first.

“I've got a call, but I have to make a decision on that,” Trouba said. “I want to go. It's a good opportunity to represent your country and something I've always enjoyed doing.”

Byfuglien said he expected interest from Team USA, too, but would have to “cross that path when it comes.”

Nik Ehlers was more committal.

"I love playing for the Danish national team,” Ehlers said. “Putting that jersey on gives you a special feeling, being able to represent your country... it's a super exciting tournament.

“Next year it's in Denmark. Hopefully, I can't go next year...”

Ehlers, of course, is hoping the Jets are playoff bound at this time next year.

TRANSACTION WIRE The Jets have signed 2015, second-round draft pick, forward Jansen Harkins, to a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual salary of $925,000.

Harkins, 19, is coming off his final season with WHL's Prince George Cougars, leading the team with 72 points, including 21 goals, in 64 games.

He'll join the Manitoba Moose for their last few games, as will forward Michael Spacek, a fourth- round pick who signed an amateur tryout.

The Jets also sent centre Jack Roslovic and goalie Eric Comrie back to the Moose.

Kyle Connor will suit up for his first NHL game since November, on Saturday.

LAST LAUGH Here's Ehlers on what it'll be like to finally be apart from his buddy Laine this summer.

“It's gonna be so nice.” http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/04/07/jets-ink-another-2015-draft-pick

Jets ink another 2015 draft pick Forward Jansen Harkins

BY PAUL FRIESEN, WINNIPEG SUN

The Winnipeg Jets have signed another of their 2015 draft picks.

Forward Jansen Harkins, a second-round selection, has inked a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual salary of $925,000.

Harkins, 19, is coming off his final season with Western League's Prince George Cougars, leading the team with 72 points, including 21 goals, in 64 games.

He leaves Prince George as the franchise points leader, with 242.

He joins Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic as 2015 draft picks who've signed deals.

Harkins has also signed an amateur tryout contract and will join the AHL's Manitoba Moose for the remainder of the season.

Roslovic and goalie Eric Comrie both rejoined the Moose today after playing with the Jets last night in Columbus.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice says Connor will suit up in the team's season finale at home against Nashville, Saturday.

The Moose have also signed forward Michael Spacek to a tryout.

Spacek, 19, was a fourth-round pick in 2015 who recently completed his second WHL season with Red Deer.

The Moose are at home to Tucson tonight.

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/goaltending-made-winnipeg-jets-nhls-disappointing-team/

Goaltending has made Winnipeg Jets NHL’s most disappointing team

By Andrew Berkshire

Sixteen teams are headed for the NHL playoffs, seven of which didn’t make it last year, should the standings remain the same. With that kind of turnover there’s bound to be some interesting surprises, but what we wanted to focus on today were the biggest disappointments.

You could argue that the biggest disappointment this year has been the performance of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a true Cup contender the last couple years that now needs a series of miraculous events in order to capture a wild-card spot, but with the injuries that team has dealt with I don’t think they can be called disappointing.

Same goes for the Florida Panthers, who over-performed last year and faced raised expectations that weren’t realistic, then suffered long-term injuries to half their top-six forwards, Aaron Ekblad, and Roberto Luongo.

The two biggest disappointments this season have been out West, where the and Winnipeg Jets are both way out of the playoffs, but the sorrow comes for different reasons.

The Kings missed the playoffs in a fluke situation two years ago due to going 2-8 in the shootout, but after making it last season only to get bounced in Round 1, this year feels like the end of an era. The core is still strong, but unlike Chicago, the Kings have had trouble replacing their depth players to stay effective, and it’s haunted them.

They’re still the most dominant Corsi team in the NHL the last three years, but with so few goals and just one playoff win to show for it, there’s undeniably something missing. With this kind of failure for a team with high expectations internally, some changes are likely coming, but a panic firing of could set them back even further. The Kings face a tough test this off- season.

The Jets are another story entirely, and a more baffling one. Winnipeg seems to make some generally nice moves that never amount to anything.

With rookie phenom Patrik Laine joining the club this season and scoring 36 goals so far, there was bound to be some excitement around them. Add in a career year for Mark Scheifele, a breakout year for Nikolaj Ehlers, and the same consistent greatness we’ve come to expect from and Dustin Byfuglien, and you have to wonder where it all went wrong.

Most teams would kill to have the top-six forward group the Jets have, but looking up and down their roster it’s undeniable than they have been less than the sum of their parts by likely the biggest margin in the NHL. This is a very good roster with a few inefficiencies, but all teams have a few.

Not having Bryan Little, , Tobias Enstrom, and Jacob Trouba for about 20 games each was also a problem that held them back, though Trouba was a situation of their own making, so they don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt there. They also lost Tyler Myers for all but 11 games, so there were injury issues to overcome.

However the biggest problem for the Jets has been the same problem they’ve had for their entire history since moving to Winnipeg (aside from 2014-15’s outlier year for Ondrej Pavelec): Goaltending.

Earlier this year I did some research for Steve Dangle on Paul Maurice’s throughout his coaching career being a sad situation, and this season has been no different.

On the surface, this doesn’t look completely disastrous, as the Jets’ goalies are around average in the inner slot and above it in the East outer slot (left side of the ice). However, that huge dip on the right side is problematic on its own, and this doesn’t take into context the expectations of making saves on these shots.

As it turns out, the Jets are the seventh-best team in the NHL at preventing those incredibly dangerous inner-slot shots, and seventh-best at preventing pre-shot movement in the slot area. That means the expectations for their goaltenders, based on frequency and degree of difficulty, is actually significantly above league average.

Even disregarding the weak goals from the perimeter that their goaltenders have allowed this season, they’ve performed far below what should be expected.

Michael Hutchinson looks the best in this breakdown, but Connor Hellebuyck is the goaltender with the longest track record of success, and the Jets do have Eric Comrie in the AHL as a top goaltending prospect, so there’s hope for the future. However, at a certain point you have to think some veteran stability would help the Jets’ younger goalies, and Pavelec doesn’t fit that bill.

There is no reason that the Jets should be expected to miss the playoffs next year, but they can’t afford to sit on their hands here, something they’ve been all too willing to do for most of the time they’ve been in Manitoba.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/watters-jets-were-offered-fleury-for-a-second-round-pick- 1.718476

Watters: Jets were offered Fleury for a second round pick

Former NHL player agent & Maple Leafs assistant GM Bill Watters joins Rick Ralph and discusses another season out of the playoffs for the Winnipeg Jets and a trade that was offered to the Winnipeg Jets mid-season. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-late-season-tear-has-players-optimistic/c-288547834

Jets' late-season tear has players optimistic Team has won six straight games heading into Saturday's finale by Ryan Dittrick @ryandittrick / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - It's a franchise mark the Jets are both proud and equally dismissive about.

Since it relocated to Winnipeg back in 2011, this team had never put together a winning streak longer than five.

Until now.

With Thursday's victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Jets have now won six in a row for the first time in our city, and will have a chance at a seventh as they conclude the 2016-17 season on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

Still, the Jets are having trouble taking solace in this late-season run, knowing that for the second straight year, they will not be playing past the first week in April.

"We're in a block of games where it's been difficult to get that emotion level up to play, and we've done that," Head Coach Paul Maurice began, "(but) at the same time, we're finishing the season against five playoff teams that have now mentally moved on to the playoffs.

"I'm not looking at this saying, 'Hey, we've won six in a row. We're right there and we're starting next season 6-0,' in terms of what I take out of it. We go through the video, we run our normal day, we run our normal things, but the two points in the standings right now aren't very valuable."

While critics would point to a lack of pressure contributing to the team's winning streak, former Stanley Cup champ Dustin Byfuglien was the first to refute that claim. Having seen his fair share of games in just about every situation imaginable, he believes there's even more pressure at this time of year when you're out of the race.

That, in his mind, is a positive heading into next year.

"This time of year is one of the toughest times to play," he said. "Guys are fighting for jobs next year and others are trying to establish themselves and earn that full-time NHL spot.

"It's good for our organization going into the summer. To say, 'OK, why did we beat these guys at this time of year?' compared to the middle or beginning of the season. Where we've come, from beginning to end, we've done a lot of good things."

Consider this:

The Jets have eight players - and all but one in the 24-and-under age group - who have surpassed their career high in points, and could increase those totals even further in the final game of the season tomorrow night.

The list looks like this:

Mark Scheifele - 81 (32G, 49A), Patrik Laine - 64 (36G, 28A), Nikolaj Ehlers - 64 (25G, 39A), Mathieu Perreault - 45 (13G, 32A), Jacob Trouba - 33 (8G, 25A), Adam Lowry - 28 (15G, 13A), Josh Morrissey - 20 (6G, 14A) and Andrew Copp - 17 (9G, 8A).

This doesn't even include the work of first-year captain Blake Wheeler, who's put up the second- highest total of his career with 73 (25G, 48A), and Byfuglien, a defensive workhorse who, for the fifth time in his career, has exceeded the 50-point barrier (13G, 38A).

Offensively, the Jets have become one of the most lethal teams in the , and there's no reason to believe the growth can't continue into next year.

"Even though we're not making the playoffs this year, [the six-game winning streak] shows the kind of team we are and where we want to be next year and for years to come," Ehlers said.

"We've got to be able to play a simple game when it's not really working for us, and we've got to be able to do that for 82 games. We know we're not going to win 82 games next year, but we want to give ourselves a chance to win every single game and that's what we've been doing the past 10 games. That's why we've been doing so well."

Ehlers, in particular, has taken a major step forward after a promising rookie season. The 21- year-old nearly doubled his offensive yield and is showing signs of a 30-, point-per-game player sometime in the future.

"I've just tried to work on all the small details that Paul and the coaching staff have told me about and helped me through," Ehlers said.

"I feel like I've taken a big step but there's still a ways to go."

That's the mindset many are taking into the off-season - to come back better than ever in the fall.

"I didn't have many expectations when I came here. My one and only goal was just to make the team and I'm happy I did that and played almost a full season," said Laine, whose 36 goals and 64 points have him three back of Toronto forward Auston Matthews for the rookie scoring lead. "I'm proud of myself, of course. It was a good season for me and I learned a lot, and hopefully I can use everything I've learned to help me next year."

UP AND DOWN After being recalled from the Jets' affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, prior to the recent two-game road swing, Kyle Connor will play tomorrow against the Predators.

The 17th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft started the season with the Jets and had four points (1G, 3A) in 19 games before being sent down to the Moose on Dec. 9. Since then, he was one been one of the AHL's hottest players, recording at least a point in 14 of his last 17 games (15G, 9A), and was recently named the AHL's Player of the Week.

Overall, the product of Shelby Township, Michigan, has 42 points (23G, 19A) in 49 AHL games.

It is unclear who will come out of the lineup in Connor's place.

In the meantime, the Jets did make one other roster move on Friday, sending goaltender Eric Comrie and forward Jack Roslovic - both of whom made their NHL debuts in Columbus - back to the Moose for their final four games of the season.

TAKING ON THE WORLD Last year the Jets had five players participate in the annual IIHF World Hockey Championship, and it looks as though they have an equally strong representation again this year.

After helping Canada win gold in 2016, Mark Scheifele is reported to be attending once again. Tyler Myers, who has missed all but 11 games this year, is recovering nicely from a lower-body injury and could be of interest to the red and white as well.

Other possibilities include Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba (USA), Nikolaj Ehlers (Denmark), Marko Dano (Slovakia) and Patrik Laine (Finland), among others.

While the majority of those players have expressed interest, Laine was rather lukewarm about the idea in his lengthy media briefing at MTS Centre Friday. Laine himself said he was a "pretty tired" after a long season that included the World Cup, four pre-season games and a mid- season injury.

"He's played enough hockey for two men over the last year and a half," Maurice said. "He's found that you're not getting to the end of an NHL season healthy. Everbody's got something now and he's got some things that he's dealing with. … He does what he wants, but he doesn't need to go there for me."

The tournament kicks off May 5 in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany.

LATE-NIGHT FLIGHT The Jets were delayed for about an hour last night in Columbus due to an airport security issue at Toronto's Pearson International, putting the arrival of their Airbus A319 aircraft into Columbus at about 11:00pm ET. As a result, many of the players didn't get to bed until about 2:00am CT (3:00am ET), so the team chose to forego practice and hold an off-ice workout instead. https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--paul-maurice/t-277437442/c-51209503

PRACTICE | Paul Maurice

Head coach Paul Maurice talks about the Jets' winning streak, pressure and expectations for next year, as well as Laine's development and more https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--dustin-byfuglien/t-277437442/c-51208703

PRACTICE | Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien talks about the winning streak, expectations for next year, potentially playing for Team USA and more https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--patrik-laine/t-277437442/c-51208903

PRACTICE | Patrik Laine

Patrik Laine on his rookie year, the Jets' winning streak, playing with pressure and possibly suiting up again for Team Finland at the Worlds https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--nikolaj-ehlers/t-277437442/c-51208103

PRACTICE | Nikolaj Ehlers

Nikolaj Ehlers reflects on the year he's had, his friendship with Patrik Laine, whether or not he'll go to the Worlds and more https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--jacob-trouba/t-277437442/c-51207803

PRACTICE | Jacob Trouba

Jacob Trouba talks about the season-high six-game winning streak, and looks back on his year as a whole www.moosehockey.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--bryan-little/t-277437442/c-51183703

Recap: Tucson 4 at Moose 5 OT

By Daniel Fink | Published: April 7, 2017

Tucson Roadrunners (26-30-8-0) at Manitoba Moose (27-36-5-5)

Friday, April 7, 2017 – MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB

Scoring Summary 1 2 3 OT F 2 1 1 0 4 Manitoba Moose 3 1 0 1 5

Shots By Period 1 2 3 OT F Tucson Roadrunners 9 10 8 0 27 Manitoba Moose 9 4 7 3 23

Special Teams PP PK PIM Tucson Roadrunners 2/5 1/2 4 Manitoba Moose 1/2 3/5 10

Goaltender Summary Goaltender MIN SA SV Tucson Roadrunners Adin Hill 28:43 10 6 Tucson Roadrunners Marek Langhamer 33:20 13 12 Manitoba Moose Jamie Phillips 62:03 27 23

Goal Summary P TIME TEAM GOAL ASSIST ASSIST STR SCORE 1 3:57 MB Chase De Leo (14) Jack Roslovic (33) Scott Kosmachuk (17)ES 1-0 MB 1 4:47 MB Dan DeSalvo (17) Elgin Pearce (1) ES 2-0 MB 1 7:40 TUC Jamie McBain (7) Chris Mueller (44) Kyle Wood (28) PP 2-1 MB 1 13:51 TUC Chris Mueller (16) Kyle Wood (29) Tyler Gaudet (16) ES 2-2 1 15:00 MB Kevin Czuczman (9) Michael Spacek (1) PP 3-2 MB 2 8:43 MB Dan DeSalvo (18) JC Lipon (16) Jansen Harkins (1) ES 4-2 MB 2 12:46 TUC Chris Mueller (17) Jamie McBain (3) Christian Fischer (25) ES 4-3 MB 3 18:19 TUC Joe Whitney (14) Chris Mueller (45) Jamie McBain (31) PP 4-4 OT 2:03 MB Brenden Kichton (1) ES 5-4 MB

Game Story The Manitoba Moose (27-36-5-5) took on the Tucson Roadrunners (26-30-7-0) at MTS Centre on Friday night. The Moose didn’t waste any time putting up a couple on the board. Chase De Leo opened the scoring 3:57 into the contest, following up his blocked shot and showing patience to tuck the first goal of the night into the Tucson net. Just 50 seconds later, Elgin Pearce opened up Dan DeSalvo on a two-on-one and DeSalvo beat Adin Hill to put the Moose in front by two. The Roadrunners raced back into the game starting at 7:40 when Jamie McBain’s booming shot found the goal on the power play. Chris Mueller tied the contest with 6:09 left in the first, breaking in and finding an opening for his 16th of the season. The Moose caught a break with five minutes remaining in the period when Kevin Czuczman’s point shot redirected in off a defender for a power play marker and a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes.

After a nearly six minute stretch of play with no stoppages in the second period, Dan DeSalvo struck again. JC Lipon freed the puck from the corner and slid it to DeSalvo who took his time before sniping at 8:43 of the frame. The goal resulted in Tucson swapping netminders with Marek Langhamer coming into the game. Not to be outdone by DeSalvo, Chris Mueller got his second of the game for Tucson four minutes later by jamming the puck over the Moose goal line to put the score at 4-3 after two periods of play.

Manitoba held onto its 4-3 lead until the late stages of the third. The Moose got into trouble after an interference penalty and back-to-back delay of game calls put the team down two men for an extended penalty kill. With the extra space, Tucson worked the puck to Joe Whitney on the back door to tie the game, shooting into a mostly open net with 1:41 left. The Moose needed overtime to decide the game for the second outing in a row. In the extra frame, Dan DeSalvo nearly potted the hat-trick, but his shot rang off the post. With the Moose pressing, Brenden Kichton went for a skate with the puck in the offensive zone before unleashing a backhand that hit the post behind Hill, before bouncing back into the net off the goaltender, for the 5-4 overtime winner.

Quick Hits Brenden Kichton’s game-winner was his first goal of the season. Michael Spacek and Elgin Pearce each registered their first AHL assist and point. Dan DeSalvo notched his fourth multi-goal game of the season. Jansen Harkins picked up his first assist of the season. Game attendance was announced at 5,271.

Quotable Defenceman Brenden Kichton on his first of the year – “I think I was up to 90 shots on the year without a goal. Obviously it feels good, it feels good to get the win. It’s just timely that the monkey’s off the back.”

Forward Jansen Harkins on his first game with the Moose this season – “Yeah a little more familiarity this year. I think my mindset is pretty much the same, it’s just one game at a time. It’s just a couple of games so I just try and focus and do as much as I can. Just enjoy it as much as I can as well. I think just kind of play my game and not try and do too much. I want to make an impact.”