A Fleet Transformed Just Five Members of the Relocated Atlanta Thrashers
Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/a-fleet-transformed-449138983.html A fleet transformed Just five members of the relocated Atlanta Thrashers are still flying Jets colours seven years later as the rebuilt youthful, speedy squadron prepares for takeoff with soaring expectations By: Jason Bell Let’s hop in the time machine and program the date to Oct. 9, 2011. Winnipeg is buzzing over the return of the NHL, and the puck is about to drop on the inaugural season of the Jets 2.0 at the barn on Portage Avenue. The Montreal Canadiens are the visitors as Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom line up for the opening faceoff. A tall, slender teen named Mark Scheifele is on the bench during the national anthem and will make his NHL debut just 3:05 into the first period. Ondrej Pavelec guards the net, offering the last line of protection against the Habs. There’s great hope surrounding the former Atlanta Thrashers — an eclectic mix of veterans, including two with Stanley Cup rings, and a reasonable crop of talented youngsters. Much of that initial excitement is little more than misguided, blind faith in a team that possesses a few key pieces, but is severely short on roster depth and the prospects cupboard is nearly bare. The Montreal Canadiens bring a shot of reality to the thunderous, electrified celebration at the MTS Centre that historic Sunday afternoon, beating the Jets 5-1. Credit the transplanted group for finishing the season with a respectable 37-35-10 record in the Southeast Division, rocking it at home at 23-13-5.
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