Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Game 4: Hawks @ Bruins at 7 pm cst.

Stanley Cup News (Boston leads series 2-1):

Boston Herald:  For Bruins, low scores a regular occurrence.

Boston Herald:   Brad Marchand, Andrew Shaw scratch surface.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Relaxed Blackhawks not feeling the heat – but they should.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Center Bolland realizes he can’t afford a 3-peat in Game 4.

Other NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  Gretzky firmly believes NHL will return to Quebec City.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Jets Official site:  Lukas Sutter profile.  A little insight into the Jets 2nd round selection in 2012.

Sportsnet:  Off-season outlook for Winnipeg.  Another assessment of where the Jets are and what needs to get done.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Bogosian too important an asset to let slip away.  No question the Jets need to get Bogosian signed to a long term deal.  And while fans would like to see this done asap, it might still be awhile before it gets done.

Winnipeg Sun:  True North opens its Shark Club gaming centre.  If you are looking for a place to watch the game in style check out this new facility in the heart of downtown.

TSN:  Evander Kane interview on Mike Richards in the Morning  (audio).  The Jets forward spoke with Toronto radio yesterday.  According to the review they covered “It was a tough year for the Winnipeg Jets not only narrowly missing out on the playoffs but also a South East division title. Playing in a hockey hotbed such as Winnipeg has its pros & cons, but the atmosphere at the arena is completely different from Atlanta. It should be interesting to see how the Jets stack up in the Midwest division next year.”

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Bruins 2 Hawks 0.

Game 4: Hawks @ Bruins at 7 pm cst on Wednesday, June 19th.

Bruins 2 Hawks 0 (Boston leads series 2-1):

Globe and Mail:  Loss of Hossa in warm-ups hurts Blackhawks in Game 3.

Boston Herald:  Tuukka takes over.

Boston Herald:  Orr -This Bruins team ‘means a lot to me’.

Boston Herald:  Bruins defeat the Blackhawks 2-0.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Tough position, but Corey Crawford is tougher guy.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Dave Bolland has a game to forget.

Other NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  Glendale set to determine Coyotes future in the desert.

Globe and Mail:  Seattle on NHL’s relocation radar yet again.

MLive.com:  Detroit Red Wings, Pavel Datsyuk ‘very close’ to agreeing to multi-year contract extension.

San Jose Mercury News:  Logan Couture agrees to contract extension with San Jose Sharks.

Philadelphia Daily News:  Sources say Flyers reach deal with Streit.

Winnipeg Jets news:

NHL.com:  Jets, Capitals to play Kraft Hockeyville game.  Once again the Jets are participating in a Hockeyville game as they take on former division rival Washington.

- Gary Lawless tweeted this yesterday “Zach Bogosian’s agent Bob Murray says he spoke again with the Jets last week”.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Game: Hawks @ Bruins at 7 pm cst.

Stanley Cup news (Series tied 1-1):

Globe and Mail:  Cup final showcases the sheer unpredictability of the game.

Globe and Mail:  Bruins’ Rask just an ordinary superstar.

Boston Herald:  Tuukka takes over.

Boston Herald:  We’re all a bit crazy.

Boston Herald:  Jagr time comes late.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Stalberg might replace Bollig for Blackhawks in Game 3.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks aren’t averse to adverse situations.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks look to snap 0-for-3 hex .

Other NHL news:

Toronto Star:  As final drags on, other 28 NHL teams get busy.

Illegal Curve Hockey Show Replay:

Part 1:  Stanley Cup Finals: Game 1 Recap.  Stanley Cup Finals: Game 2 Preview.  Evander Kane’s latest twitter activity.  Dallas Eakins named Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers.  Interview with Anthony SanFilippo of Philadelphia Flyers dot com.  Free Agency Preview: Defensemen.

Part 2:  Free Agency Preview: Defensemen, continued.  Free Agency Preview: Goalies.  Alain Vigneault to coach the New York Rangers.  Interview with Lindsey Hofford, director of scouting for the London Knights.  NHL Playoffs television ratings, Cheers & Jeers.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Bruins 2 Hawks 1 in OT.

Games: Hawks @ Bruins at 7 pm cst on Monday, June 17th.

Bruins 2 Hawks 1 in OT (Series tied 1-1):

Globe and Mail:  Bruins rebound with overtime win over Hawks in Game 2 to even Cup final.

Boston Herald:  Paille with Kelly and Seguin lift B’s to win.

Boston Herald:  Bruins’ Julien gets results from line tweak.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Ref’s decision blunted Hawks’ momentum.

Chicago Sun-Times:  The war of tweets between Chicago and Boston heats up.

Other NHL news:

Washington Post:  Alex Ovechkin wins third Hart Memorial Trophy.

Columbus Dispatch:  Bobrovsky wins Vezina.

Calgary Sun:  Shanahan reportedly meets with Calgary Flames.

Edmonton Journal:  Family, friends and teammates mourn Oilers prospect who drowned in Latvia.

New York Daily News:  Alain Vigneault accepts NY Rangers coaching offer.

Illegal Curve Hockey Show Replay:

Part 1:  Stanley Cup Finals: Game 1 Recap.  Stanley Cup Finals: Game 2 Preview.  Evander Kane’s latest twitter activity.  Dallas Eakins named Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers.  Interview with Anthony SanFilippo of Philadelphia Flyers dot com.  Free Agency Preview: Defensemen.

Part 2:  Free Agency Preview: Defensemen, continued.  Free Agency Preview: Goalies.  Alain Vigneault to coach the New York Rangers.  Interview with Lindsey Hofford, director of scouting for the London Knights.  NHL Playoffs television ratings, Cheers & Jeers.

0:00 – Stanley Cup Finals: Game 1 Recap

12:23 – Stanley Cup Finals: Game 2 Preview

26:28 – Evander Kane’s latest twitter activity

37:00 – Dallas Eakins named Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers

48:30 – Interview with Anthony SanFilippo of Philadelphia Flyers dot com

1:00:54 – Free Agency Preview: Defensemen

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

0:00 – Free Agency Preview: Defensemen, continued

11:09 – Free Agency Preview: Defensemen, continued

23:32 – Free Agency Preview: Goalies

35:24 – Alain Vigneault to coach the New York Rangers

44:36 – Interview with Lindsey Hofford, director of scouting for the London Knights

55:24 – NHL Playoffs television ratings, Cheers & Jeers

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst.

Stanley Cup news:

Globe and Mail:  Former bad boy Patrick Kane grows up.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Three-OT thriller helped Hawks, Bruins get to know each other better.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hossa has made it to Stanley Cup Final in 4 of last 6 seasons.

Boston Herald:  Nathan Horton status still iffy.

Boston Herald:  It’s time for Seguin to get job done around net.

Other NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  ‘Framework’ in place for Coyotes lease agreement.

Globe and Mail:  Yet another mystery buyer emerges for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun:  Tweets are trouble for Winnipeg Jets winger Evander Kane.  If you missed it, the Jets power forward got into some trouble while watching the basketball playoffs.  He has since apologized.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Slater on the mend.   Missed this until later in the day yesterday but mid way through the article there is a column about Jim Slater talking about his health.  Says he would have been good to go had the Jets made the playoffs.  Gonna need a healthy Slater next season to get this team into the playoffs.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst on Saturday, June 15th

Stanley Cup news:

Globe and Mail:  Blackhawks fatigued, but energized after marathon Game 1.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Talented Blackhawks have versatility to win in many ways.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hossa experiences drill of victory.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Burr Ridge Hawks fan recovering after puck hit her ‘like an arrow’ to the face.

Boston Herald:  Claude Julien believes Bruins to bounce back big.

Boston Herald:  Nathan Horton’s injury leaves big void in Julien’s forward lines.

Boston Herald:  Past success good for Bruins karma.

Other NHL news:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Penguins sign Evgeni Malkin to eight-year, $76 million contract extension.

Toronto Star:  Maple Leafs re-sign Colton Orr.

Globe and Mail:  Stevens seen as front-runner for Canucks’ vacant head coaching position.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Evander Kane tweets then deletes homophobic comment, apologizes.   Looks like Thursday really was the Evander news day.  Seems his twitter got him into a wee bit of trouble although by this AM he had deleted and apologized for the comment.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Slater on the mend.   Says he would have been good to go had the Jets made the playoffs.  Gonna need a healthy Slater next season to get this team into the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets:  Evander Kane video exclusive.  Evander Kane talks about his summer so far, his recent surgery and also spoke about the season ahead, his junior career and the playoffs.

Illegal Curve:  Evander Kane has successful surgery.  After a successful surgery yesterday he now has 4-6 weeks of recovery time.

Scott Brown, Senior Director, Corporate Communications for True North Sports has announced via twitter that the Jets star forward underwent successful surgery today.

Following the surgery, Kane added this;

So good news for Jets fans that he will recover with plenty of time to be ready for the upcoming season.

The Jets caught up with Evander. Watch now:

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Hawks 4 Bruins 3 in Triple OT

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst on Saturday, June 15th

Hawks 4 Bruins 3 in Triple OT (Chicago leads series 1-0):

Globe and Mail:  Crawford comes up big again and again for Chicago.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Shaw’s triple-overtime goal gives Blackhawks Stanley Cup opener.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Game 1 victory provided kind of excitement that gives hockey good name.

Toronto Star:  Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara familiar foes.

USA Today:  Bruins must find way to pick up the pieces.

Boston Globe:  Mayors of Boston and Chicago bet their cities’ pride on Stanley Cup Finals.

Other NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  Bettman accentuates the positives in state of the union address.

Globe and Mail:  Dilemma in the desert as once again Coyotes’ future in Phoenix questioned.

CBC:  Bill Daly says Coyotes move ‘possible’ if no new deal reached.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Penguins extend coach Dan Bylsma’s contract.

Newsday:  Isles trade rights to Mark Streit to Flyers.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst

Bruins @ Hawks (Series tied 0-0):

Globe and Mail:  NHL playoffs television ratings double in U.S.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks had 2010 champions in mind when putting team together.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews will play apart.

Chicago Sun-Times:  3 keys to a Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup finals victory.

Boston Herald:  Here’s why the Bruins win the Stanley Cup.

Boston Herald:  Tuukka Rask stars in lead role.

Boston Herald:  Nathan Horton proves a factor again.

Boston Herald:  Jaromir Jagr – It never gets old.

Other NHL news:

ESPN:  Canucks interview John Tortorella.

CBC:  CHL moves to phase out European goalies.

Arizona Republic:  Closed Glendale council-NHL meetings raise concern.

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst on Wednesday, June 12th

Bruins @ Hawks (Series tied 0-0):

Globe and Mail:  Unfamiliar foes set to meet in familiar arena.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Shaw vs. Marchand in battle royale of irritants.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks confident they can avoid what Bruins did to Penguins.

Chicago Tribune:  Blackhawks fans find creative ways to score tickets to the Stanley Cup finals.

Boston Herald:  Seeing isn’t B-elieving.

Boston Herald:  To Bruins, Brad Marchand good as gold — but foes see only red.

Boston Herald:  Drawing from reservoir ‘Daug’.

Other NHL news:

The Tennessean:  Predators put faith in Roman Josi’s development.

CBC:  Canadiens’ former goalie coach says Carey Price has deteriorated.

Globe and Mail:  Eakins’ road to Oilers inspired by Roger Neilson.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Bigger Byfuglien in no shape for a trade.  Does size matter?

TSN:  Off season game plan.  If you missed it they had quite an in-depth look at the team on TSN and what the plan will be to get this team moving in the right direction.

NHL.com:  2013 mock Entry Draft.  As we get closer to the June 30th draft day we are going to see more and more mock drafts with prognosticators taking their turn to predict the draft outcome.  Of course with trades so many things can change but here are three looks at the top 30 and who these guys think the Jets may take.

Kimelman | Morreale | Hoffner.

Games: Bruins @ Hawks  at 7 pm cst on Wednesday, June 12th

Bruins @ Hawks (Series tied 0-0):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Kane, Toews have found their playoff grooves at the right time.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Goalie Corey Crawford has been far better than good enough.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Bruins similar to Kings — only better.

Boston Herald:  Bruins put sweep of Pens in rearview mirror.

Boston Herald:  Sincere value in Torey Krug’s input.

Other NHL news:

Edmonton Journal:  Oilers to name Dallas Eakins fifth coach in last six years.

Dallas Morning News:  Stars agree to terms on a two-year deal with 39-year-old defenseman Sergei Gonchar.

Globe and Mail:  Towel-quality guidelines and other highlights from the new NHL CBA.

Winnipeg Jets news:

TSN:  Off season game plan.  Quite an in-depth look at the team.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets in talks with Bogosian, Little.  And so it begins.  Interesting that they’ve started with two of the big three as opposed to the entire trio.

Richard’s breakdown of what the big three contracts might look like:

Zach Bogosian | Blake Wheeler | Bryan Little

- Missed these articles from the weekend:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets need more everything.  More anything?  More everything!!  The Jets are still aways away from being a top contender.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Hainsey unlikely to stay with Jets.  Will his role in the PA force Hainsey to test the market more than he would otherwise?

Winnipeg Sun:  Into the Wild West.  For the third time in three years the Jets and their fans will be in for another completely different season as this time they head West.

0:00 – Eastern Conference Finals recap

13:21 – Pittsburgh Penguins season recap

25:08 – Interview with Jack Edwards of NESN

38:09 – Western Conference Finals Recap

49:13 – Blake Wheeler RFA Analysis: Overview of his game

58:59 – Blake Wheeler RFA Analysis: Comparables

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

0:00 – Blake Wheeler RFA Analysis: Offer sheet/trade possibilities

11:35 – Blake Wheeler RFA Analysis: Closing arguments

23:11 – Interview with Dave Faulkner, WHL Scout for the Prince Albert Raiders

34:05 – NHL Competition Committee Meetings recap

44:32 – Interview with Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record

1:03:05 – Sergei Gonchar signs 2 year $10 million contract with the Dallas Stars

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Hawks 3 Kings 2
Games: Penguins @ Bruins at 7 pm cst

Hawks 3 Kings 2 (Chicago leads series 3-1):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks one win from Stanley Cup berth after 3-2 Game 4 win.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Vets pick up slack for missing Keith.

L.A. Times:  Kings in trouble after losing Game 4 to Blackhawks.

Other Stanley Cup news:

Globe and Mail:  Reinvented Jagr meshes with mighty Bruins machine.

Boston Herald:  Bruins’ grit echoes region’s character.

Boston Herald:  Bruins fans near and far start to feel ‘like 2011 all over again’.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Penguins fans try to see silver lining in Pens’ dark cloud.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Bylsma confident for Game 4, ‘We’re going to … win.’.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Windsor Star:  Brassard eager to soar with Jets.  Bit more from the Windsor product.

Winnipeg Sun:  Kane unloads great twitter rant.  Good to see some passion from the Jets forward.

Illegal Curve:  Winnipeg Jets to play in Vancouver Canucks 2013 Young Stars Classic.  Will be interesting to see how this group looks after the draft at the end of the month.

The Jets released this news today:

The Winnipeg Jets are pleased to confirm their participation in the Vancouver Canucks 2013 Young Stars Classic taking place in Penticton, BC from Thursday, September 5 to Monday, September 9, 2013. The round-robin tournament will feature prospects from the Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks.

“We are pleased to have our prospects attend the Young Stars Classic in Penticton for the second time,” said Winnipeg Jets General Manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff. “This is a prime opportunity for us to get a closer look at our prospects in game situations as well as evaluate their development over the summer months.”

Players who suited up for the Winnipeg Jets in their first Young Stars Classic were 2011 draft picks Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, & Austen Brassard as well as Zach Redmond, Eric O’Dell & Eddie Pasquale. The Jets finished the 2011 tournament with a 2-1 record and Mark Scheifele was the team’s leading scorer after three games (2G, 1A).

The festivities will include a Canucks alumni game against other Young Stars teams’ alumni and local police and fire department members, a Canucks Business Leaders’ Day, a Minor Hockey Day, and a Canucks alumni and team personnel meet and greet. Minor Hockey Day will include a Party on the Plaza event with games, food, music and entertainment as well as skills and development camps for BC minor hockey players. For more information about the Young Stars Classic and surrounding events, please go to canucks.com/youngstars.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Bruins 2 Penguins 1 in Double OT
Games: Hawks @ Kings at 8 pm cst

Bruins 2 Penguins 1 in Double OT(Boston leads series 3-0):

Boston Herald:  Bruins beat Pens in 2OT.

Boston Herald:  Krug story family affair.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Penguins’ power play falls flat again.

Other Stanley Cup news:

Chicago Sun-Times:  An ill-timed vanishing act for Patrick Kane.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith suspended for Game 4 of series vs. Kings.

L.A. Times:  A stitched-up Jeff Carter moves on to the next game.

L.A. Times:  Kings’ Jonathan Quick, Chicago’s Corey Crawford have had their moments.

NHL news:

Toronto Star:  Tough guys ponder implications of visors for fisticuffs.

Globe and Mail:  Questions must be answered before NHL mandates visors for incoming players.

Globe and Mail:  Low scoring NHL again takes aim at goalie equipment.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Showcasing the Jets top young prospects.  It is a get to know you opportunity for the team.  Also nice way to introduce the young prospects to the city and the fans.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Kings 3 Hawks 1
Games: Penguins @ Bruins at 7 pm cst

Kings 3 Hawks 1 (Chicago leads series 2-1):

L.A. Times:   Kings top Blackhawks, 3-1, trail series, 2-1.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Richards still recovering from Bolland’s blast.

Globe and Mail:  Patrick Sharp doing it all for Blackhawks.

Other Stanley Cup news:

Boston Herald:  Bruins must maintain focus at Garden.

Boston Herald:  Decade destined for OT.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Bylsma not saying who starts in goal.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  5-step plan to salvaging series versus Bruins.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Iginla adamant series isn’t over.

NHL news:

CBC:  Mandatory visors proposed for future NHLers.

News and Observer:  Staal says ‘no question’ he’ll be healthy for training camp.

News and Observer:  New Canes uniforms sever a link to Stanley Cup.

Dallas Morning News:  Stars unveil new logos and uniforms.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Bruins 6 Penguins 1
Games: Hawks @ Kings at 8 pm cst

Bruins 6 Penguins 1 (Boston leads series 2-0):

Boston Herald:  Bruins seize 2-0 series lead over Penguins.

Boston Herald:  Svedberg saving his best for next season.

Providence Journal:  Marchand shows what he does best.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Pens’ stars zero in on epic fail.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Goaltender decision crucial for Game 3.

Other Stanley Cup news:

Chicago Sun-Times:  Bickell’s big playoffs will raise price, may force Chicago exit.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Handzus provides points, smarts for Blackhawks.

L.A. Times:  Anze Kopitar, and his line, aren’t making points.

L.A. Times:  Kings know Game 3 against Blackhawks is virtually win-or-else.

NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  Oilers job a good fit for Dallas Eakins – if he wants it.

CBC:  Canadiens axe goalie coach Pierre Groulx.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Illegal Curve:  Jets to hold 2013 Draft Party June 30th.

While IC will be live on location at the NHL Entry Draft in New Jersey, for those unable to attend the Winnipeg Jets will be hosting a draft party for fans who want to support their club and perhaps win some prizes while doing so.  Here is the Jets release:

The Winnipeg Jets are pleased to announce they will host the 2013 NHL Entry Draft Party on Sunday, June 30th at Winnipeg’s newest sports bar, the Shark Club, in cityplace located at 233 Hargrave St. The Draft Party will be held in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s annual Entry Draft to be held this year at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Doors for the Draft Party will open at 1:00pm. Jay Richardson, the Jets public address announcer and co-host of The Big Show on TSN Radio 1290, will be your host for the event. At 2:00pm, the live broadcast of TSN’s coverage of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft will be shown on all of the 57 monitors throughout the Shark Club.

Winnipeg Jets Mark Stuart and James Wright will also be in attendance to take part in the event, sign autographs and be available for photos with fans. All fans in attendance will be eligible to win numerous prizes throughout the event, including autographed Mark Stuart & James Wright Winnipeg Jets jerseys.

Tickets for the Draft Party will go on sale today, Monday, June 3rd at 12:00pm. All tickets are $30.00. All purchasers will be limited to four tickets per transaction. Everyone in attendance will receive complimentary food & a beverage along with a Winnipeg Jets 2013 Draft beer glass. Everyone in attendance must be over the age of 18.

The Jets currently have 10 selections in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft with their first round choice scheduled to take place at #13. The team currently has six picks in the first three rounds of the draft (one first round selection, three second round selections, & two third round selections).

Click here to order your Draft Party tickets!

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Hawks 4 Kings 2
Games: Bruins @ Penguins at 7 pm cst

Hawks 4 Kings 2 (Chicago leads series 2-0):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks take first two games of series with 4-2 win in Game 2.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hawks confident when they take show on road.

ESPN:  Crawford, Rozsival defend captain Toews.

L.A. Times:  Kings are feeling battered as injuries stack up.

CBC:  Chicago humbles Jonathan Quick.

USA Today:  Injured Richards sits out Game 2.

Other Stanley Cup news:

Globe and Mail:  Penguins need to control emotions, faceoffs.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Penguins are 0-1, but far from done.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  A tweak or two will do for Game 2.

Boston Herald:  Hit’s behind McQuaid.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Windsor Star:  Brassard eager to soar with Jets.  Simply a picture montage of Windsor native Austen Brassard.  First picture is one Jets fans will appreciate. 

0:00 – Eastern Conference Finals Preview

13:21 – Interview with Mike Colligan of Forbes.com & The Hockey Writers

26:16 – Western Conference Finals Preview

37:42 – Western Conference Finals Preview

49:18 – Winnipeg Jets RFA Analysis: Zach Bogosian – evaluating his game

1:01:20 – Winnipeg Jets RFA Analysis: Zach Bogosian – comparables

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

0:00 – Winnipeg Jets RFA Analysis: Zach Bogosian – offer sheet and trade possibilities

12:34 – Winnipeg Jets RFA Analysis: Zach Bogosian – closing arguments made by both parties

23:12 – Interview with Craig Button of TSN

44:07 – Is it fair of the Jets to let Claude Noel go into the season as a “lame-duck” head coach?

56:25 – Coaching change in New York City

1:05:39 – Patrick Roy as new head coach/director of player personnel in Colorado

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  Hawks 2 Kings 1 | Bruins 3 Penguins 0
Games: Kings @ Hawks at 7 pm cst

Hawks 2 Kings 1 (Chicago leads series 1-0):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Physical Hawks outwork Kings in 2-1 series-opening victory.

Chicago Sun-Times:  After dreary start at strangely sedate United Center, Blackhawks, fans turn it up.

L.A. Times:  Kings are on very different road than one that led to Stanley Cup.

L.A. Times:  Jarret Stoll’s return is best part of a bad day.

Bruins 3 Penguins 0 (Boston leads series 1-0):

Boston Globe:  Myths busted in Bruins Game 1 victory.

Boston Herald:  Bruins create good fortune.

Boston Herald:  Tuukka Rask frustrates Penguins.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Frustrations get the best of Penguins.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  Cooke ejected for hit from behind.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun:  Sign Brassard, lose Yuen.  On the last day to sign their 2011 draft picks, the Jets chose to keep one and allow the other to walk.

Illegal Curve:  Interview with Craig Button of TSN.  Guys had Craig Button  on the show yesterday and he talked about the draft including what the Jets might do.  Listen here.

Note II:  Tune into the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN Radio 1290 today from noon to 3 pm as the guys spend the show previewing the 3rd round of the Stanley Cup playoffs which begin today.  Guests:  Craig Button (TSN), Mike Colligan (The Hockey Writers).

Stanley Cup Scores & Games:

Scores:  None
Games: Kings @ Hawks at 4 pm cst | Bruins @ Penguins at 7 pm cst

Stanley Cup news:

L.A. Times:  Kings’ evolution from losing team to Stanley Cup winner continues.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Corey Crawford in control after losing spot in 2010.

Boston Herald:  Bruins rested, ready.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Penguins’ talent level is peerless.

Globe and Mail:  Final four give stellar end to shortened season.

Winnipeg Jets news:

Jets official site:  2013 Draft combine – GM Kevin Cheveldayoff (video).  Jets GM discusses the process that his team undertook as they met with 88 prospects at the combine.

Jets official site:  2013 Draft combine – Marcel Comeau (video)  Listen to what the Director of Amateur Scouting had to say from the combine in Toronto.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune:  Antti Raanta’s decision is made.  According to Michael Russo the Jets are one of three teams in the running for the highly touted Finnish goaltending prospect.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Tix for Jets’ draft party on sale soon.  For those of you unable to be in New Jersey, you can support your Jets at the draft party the team is hosting.

The Jets have announced a new ECHL partnership for this season.  This has to be the farthest distance between two affiliates.  As was tweeted at us, the distance between Ontario, California and St. John’s, Newfoundland is 7,058.9 km, although in terms of flight distance it is 5508 kilometers.

Here is the Jets press release:

True North Sports & Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, along with their American Hockey League affiliate the St. John’s IceCaps, are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Ontario Reign as their ECHL affiliate for the 2013-14 season.

“We are pleased to embark on our new partnership with the Ontario Reign,” said Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President & Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. “Ontario is an organization that shares our level of commitment to success and we look forward to working together to provide our players’ opportunities to further develop themselves on and off the ice.”

The Ontario Reign opened their inaugural season on October 18, 2008, where they earned their first-ever win with a 2-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors. The Reign finished the 2012-13 season ranked first in the Pacific Division with a 46-19-3-4 record and 99 points. After sweeping the Utah Grizzlies in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs, the Reign fell to the Idaho Steelheads in the second round, 4-2. The 2012-13 season marked the third time Ontario clinched their division, the first in 2008-09 (38-29-4-2) and again in 2011-12 (43-21-5-3).

Current Head Coach Jason Christie, joined the Reign in August 2011, as did current Assistant Coach Mark Hardy, formerly of the Los Angeles Kings. Christie played 88 games with the Manitoba Moose over two seasons (1996-97 & 1997-98) where he earned 43 points (16G, 27A) with the club. He also spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Wolves, spending the 2008-09 season working under then General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

“We’re very excited about adding the Winnipeg Jets organization as a Reign affiliate and believe it will help to further solidify us as a top contender for the Kelly Cup,” said Justin Kemp, President of the Ontario Reign. “They carry a deep roster of young talent that will be given a great opportunity to develop in a competitive and professional environment here in Ontario.”

————————————————————————————–

Ontario Reign Press Release:  Jets to give Reign a lift.

One interesting thing to note from the Reign press release was this bit of news:

The Los Angeles Kings will remain the Reign’s primary affiliate; the Jets will be Ontario’s secondary affiliate with this new partnership.

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Hawks 3 Wings 2 in OT
Games: None

Hawks 3 Wings 2 in OT (Chicago wins series 4-3):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Seabrook! Blackhawks going to Conference finals after OT goal for Game 7 win.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hawks, fans can breathe again after brutally tense finale.

Detroit Free Press:  Jimmy Howard consoles Niklas Kronwall after winning goal goes off defensemen’s leg.

Other Cup news:

NHL.com:  Past four Cup champs comprise Conference Finalists.

Globe and Mail:  The NHL’s great Game 7 escape.

L.A. Times:  Just a little rest for the weary, achy Kings.

Boston Herald:  Don’t count out underdog Bruins.

Boston Herald:  Brad Marchand relishes chance to slay favorites.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Bylsma still grows as coach.

Hockey news:

Globe and Mail:  Roy has tall task in fixing what ails the Avs.

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Kings 2 Sharks 1
Games: Wings @ Hawks at 7 pm cst on CBC.

Kings 2 Sharks 1 (Los Angeles win series 4-3):

LA Times:  Kings advance to Western Conference finals with 2-1 win over Sharks.

LA Times:  NHL chief Gary Bettman – ‘Hockey is thriving in California’.

San Jose Mercury News:  A different, hardier kind of Sharks postseason exit, but still another exit.

Other Cup news:

Detroit Free Press:  Wings need big things from Datsyuk, Zetterberg tonight.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Two of Original Six heading to Game 7 is heaven for hockey fans.

Boston Herald:  Plenty of Bruins-Pens history.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Key matchup in series? Try Crosby vs. Bergeron.

NHL news:

TSN:  NHL, new Coyotes ownership group meet with Glendale.

Denver Post:  Patrick Roy’s goals with Avs again all about winning the Stanley Cup.

Toronto Star:  Former Leaf GM asks court if he can serve notice online .

Winnipeg Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Crafting a Draft.  The run to the draft has the entire organization focused on the next generation of Jets prospects.

Winnipeg Free Press:  If Noel’s the guy, Jets need to say so.  Nobody wants a lame duck year from coach Noel.  As Gary says you either extend him or set him free if you don’t feel he is the guy.

Illegal Curve:  Latest Alexander Burmistrov news.  Host of the TSN 1290 Rona Round Table Rick Ralph spoke with Slava Malamud, a journalist who works for the Russian sports daily Sport-Express, and also is a contributor for NHL.com and they briefly touched on Alexander Burmistrov and the KHL.

They primarily discussed the KHL, but also included a bit about Winnipeg Jets RFA Alexander Burmistrov.

The discussion regarding Burmistrov commences at the 10:10 mark of the interview and finishes at the 11:14 mark.

Not surprisingly, it appears that Burmistrov’s former team, Kazan Ak-Bars would welcome him back to the team.  Slava Malamud regarded Burmistrov as the 2nd biggest free agent (behind RFA goalie Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets).

Listen here.

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Hawks 4 Wings 3
Games: Sharks @ Kings

Hawks 4 Wings 3  (Series tied 3-3):

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks force Game 7 on Wednesday after 4-3 road win.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks, Red Wings’ top two lines neutralizing each other.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Hawks’ playoff run overshadowing Cubs-Sox series.

Chicago Tribune:  Bickell still has hot hand in postseason.

Detroit Free Press:  Game 7? Nothing new for Red Wings.

Detroit Free Press:  Wings feeling the heat as Game 7 awaits.

Other Cup news:

San Jose Mercury News:  Sharks’ loose locker-room vibe might be an asset in Game 7 and beyond.

Los Angeles Times:  Kings want to avoid that dreaded feeling of elimination.

Boston Herald:  Pulling out all the stops.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  After trade, Iginla, Penguins have kept their part of the deal.

NHL news:

Globe and Mail:  Selling the Coyotes … here we go again.

Toronto Star:  NHL draft carries great expectations.

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Sharks 2 Kings 1
Games: Hawks @ Wings

Sharks 2 Kings 1  (Series tied 3-3):

San Jose Mercury News:  Sharks force game 7.

San Jose Mercury News:  Antti Niemi stars in win.

L.A. Times:  It’s all on the line for Kings after Game 6 loss to Sharks.

L.A. Times:  Jarret Stoll says he feels good, has no timetable for return.

L.A. Times:  Slava Voynov likes to go on the offense.

Other Cup news:

Detroit Free Press:  Wings want to ‘have some fun’ tonight as they try again to close out Chicago.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Blackhawks playing underdog card, but will it work in Detroit?

Boston Herald:  Personnel decisions loom for Claude Julien.

Boston Herald:  Bruins join elite company.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Dupuis best bargain in NHL.

Globe and Mail:  An unmasked Sidney Crosby enjoys downtime before facing Bruins.

NHL news:

CBC:  Future is bright for underdog Senators.

Globe and Mail:  NHL moving towards new ownership deal for Coyotes.

0:00 – Pittsburgh wins the series over Ottawa 4-1

13:48 – Detroit leads Chicago 3-1, game 5 tonight

28:08 – Boston leads New York Rangers 3-1, game 5 tonight

38:35 – LA Kings lead San Jose 3-2, game 6 on Sunday

49:09 – Bryan Little contract analysis

1:01:43 – Bryan Little contract analysis continued

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

0:00 – Bryan Little contract analysis

12:13 – Bryan Little contract analysis

23:32 – Interview with Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News

40:06 – Vancouver Canucks fire Alain Vigneault

50:50 – Interview with Sunaya Sapurji of Yahoo! Sports Canada

1:01:02 – Alex Burmistrov and his future in Winnipeg. Cheers & Jeers

The Illegal Curve Hockey Show airs Saturdays from 12pm-3pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg. Search for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast - non iTunes users can subscribe via RSS.  NHL Mid-Week with Illegal Curve airs Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

He was interviewed by Rick Ralph on the Rona Roundtable about the subject.  Listen here.

Richard’s interview on Rona Roundtable

Audio courtesy of TSN Radio 1290.

If you missed any of Richard’s assessments, you can get them here:

1.  Bryan Little

2.  Zach Bogosian

3.  Blake Wheeler

So now that you’ve had a chance to listen to Richard and read his analysis, what do you think the Jets should do to get these important RFAs signed?

Note II:  After a week off, the Illegal Curve Hockey Show returns to its usual noon to 3 pm cst on TSN Radio 1290 as Drew, Richard and Ezra break down all the latest Stanley Cup news.  Guest:  Mike Heika (Dallas Morning News)

Jets news:

TSN:  Rona Roundtable podcast.  Rick Ralph had on former player agent and Maple Leafs assistant GM Bill Watters to talk about the Alex Burmistrov contract situation.  Watters was on to discuss his dealings with Burmistrov’s agent Mark Gandler.  Also in the first hour of the show you can also hear Trevor Nott of Nott Auto Corp discussing Burmistrov shipping his car back to Russia, for whatever that is worth.  Update:  Burmistrov said, 4 days ago (via his instagram), that he hopes his dad will be happy with the car.  It is a shame that we won’t be able to make any Yakov Smirnoff jokes.  Thanks to reader Garret for the heads up.

Winnipeg Jets official site:  Prospect profile – Connor Hellebuyck.  Taking a look at some of the young guns in the pipeline.

Jets Contract Week:

Richard broke down some of the contracts and decisions that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to make as he figures out his roster for the 2013-14 season.

RFA Bryan Little

RFA Zach Bogosian

RFA Blake Wheeler

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Rangers 4 Bruins 3 in OT | Wings 2 Hawks 0 | Kings 3 Sharks 0
Games: Senators @ Penguins

Rangers 4 Bruins 3 in OT (Boston leads series 3-1):

New York Post:  Kreider’s OT goal keeps Rangers season going.

New York Daily News:  John Tortorella defends decision to scratch Brad Richards.

Boston Herald:  Bruins give away Game 4.

Boston Herald:  Tuukka Rask now the fall guy.

Wings 2 Hawks 0 (Detroit leads series 3-1):

Detroit Free Press:  Howard, Red Wings thoroughly frustrating Blackhawks.

Chicago Daily Herald:  Toews says team is going to keep believing in themselves.

Chicago Daily Herald:  Blackhawks’ dream season now a nightmare.

Chicago Tribune:  Power play? Nothing to it.

ESPN:  Toews has night to forget in Game 4.

Kings 3 Sharks 0 (Los Angeles leads series 3-2):

L.A. Times:  Kings overpower Sharks to take 3-2 series lead.

San Jose Mercury News:  Sharks desperate for a Game 7.

Thus far this week, we have examined the contract statuses of both Bryan Little and Zach Bogosian, which leaves us with one significant Winnipeg Jets restricted free agent (RFA) remaining to be valued. That RFA is Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler.

Blake Wheeler (and defenseman Mark Stuart) were acquired by the Atlanta Thrashers in advance of the 2011 NHL trade deadline in exchange for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.  At the time of the acquisition by then Thrashers GM Rick Dudley, Wheeler was known as a talented winger but many questions abounded if he would ever reach the potential that made him the fifth overall choice in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Since his trade to Atlanta and his subsequent arrival in Winnipeg, Blake Wheeler has entrenched himself as a top-six NHL forward.

Of all right wing forwards in the NHL during this past lockout shortened season, Wheeler ranked:

Goals:             5th with 19 goals

Assists:          11th with 22 assists

Points:           8th with 41 points

During the 2011-12 season, the last full NHL season, among all right wing forwards, Wheeler ranked as follows in those same categories:

Goals:             45th with 17 goals

Assists:          5th with 47 assists

Points:           14th with 64 points

Looking at those numbers, Blake Wheeler and his representative Matt Keator, are almost assuredly arguing that Wheeler is a clear-cut, top line, NHL right winger who accumulates goals, assists and point totals that establish him in the upper echelon of right wing talent in the NHL.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at Blake Wheeler’s additional statistics:

The above numbers show that Wheeler has played significant minutes as a top-line forward for the Jets.  He has faced the other team’s best or second best defensive pairing on a nightly basis, and despite facing a high quality of competition, has produced very solid offensive totals.  Additionally, the above numbers show that he is not reliant on the power-play to accumulate his points, which is emblematic of the success Blake Wheeler has been able to have in five-on-five situations.

Let’s examine some players, specifically mid-20’s right wingers, who have performed in a similar manner to Wheeler.

Statistical Comparables

Here are four players that are similar, production wise, to Blake Wheeler:

1. Jakub Voracek;
2. P.A. Parenteau;
3. Teddy Purcell; and
4. Wayne Simmonds.

Of the four players listed above, P.A.  Parenteau appears to have been provided with similar opportunity to Blake Wheeler and has provided similar point production.  While one could argue that Simmonds is too reliant on the power play to garner his points, he has not been provided with the same quality of line-mates as the other players.  He is also the most physical player in the group of players listed above.  Over time, you would expect that Jakub Voracek would see an increase in five-on-five ice-time, although his power play time is about one minute more than Blake Wheeler on a per game basis.

Contract Comparables

Let’s now examine the contractual situations of all of the four listed comparables:

When you average the four comparable players, they evoke strong similarities to Blake Wheeler’s contract situation.  That being said, it is not as simple as plugging in a four-year, $4.25 million per season contract and just call it a day.

Wheeler can elect to go to salary arbitration this off-season, where he would have a strong case, (he only missed being a UFA this summer by two months, as he has an August birthday), and then play under a one-year deal before entering into unrestricted free agency next summer.  (Andrew Ladd had the same option available to him, but he elected to sign long-term with the Jets).

Wheeler’s arbitration eligibility will provide his agent with a significant amount of leverage.  Put simply, the Jets cannot risk going to arbitration with Blake Wheeler and then having one of their top players able to hit the open market after the 2013-14 season. The negative optics of that occurring, and the accompanying leverage that provides to the Blake Wheeler camp, cannot be over-stated when we determine a reasonable contract for Wheeler and the Jets.

Before we examine what a reasonable contract will look like, we have to examine the other options associated with Wheeler’s RFA status, even if they seem improbable.

Trade Wheeler

This does not appear to be reasonable alternative; what with the Jets lacking any form of depth on the right side.

If the team chose to move Dustin Byfuglien to right wing for next season, that would fill the need for a top-six right winger, but it would not create a luxury of depth on the right side for the Jets, while simultaneously affecting the defensive depth.

Wheeler Receives Offer Sheet

This option seems relatively unlikely.  Wheeler is not a Shea Weber or Thomas Vanek type player.  He is a very good top-six forward but players of his ilk generally do not garner offer sheet interest—unless Brian Burke, Kevin Lowe, and a barn fight are involved.

Conclusion: Value and Term

Blake Wheeler may be the trickiest negotiation Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faces this off-season.  His agent will argue he is undoubtedly a top-ten right winger in the NHL.  He will likely ask for quantum in excess of $5.0 million annually.

Cheveldayoff, on the other hand, will likely counter such a proposal with an offer in the $4.5 million range.  He is also likely to question why Wheeler should earn in excess of captain and top-point producer Andrew Ladd ($4.4 million per annum)—to which Keator could counter with Olli Jokinen’s contract which was in excess of Ladd’s.

These are how negotiations likely shake out.  As a result, middle ground is the reasonable landing spot for both sides.

With all of the above said, this appears to be a reasonable contract solution for Wheeler and the Jets:

Duration: 4 years

Cap Hit:  $4.75 million

Total: $19 million

Note II:  Stay tuned to Illegal Curve as we celebrate Winnipeg Jets Contract Week all week long.  Richard will be breaking down some of the contracts and decisions that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to make as he figures out his roster for the 2013-14 season.  Third up, RFA Blake Wheeler.

Jets, prospect and World Championship news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Catching up with the Jets.  Taking a look at what some of your favourite players are up to right now as well as other off-season news.

Winnipeg Sun:  Available Vigneault has to be tempting for Winnipeg Jets.  Perhaps after the firing in Vancouver there isn’t as much joy in Coach Noel’s joyland these days.  While Alain Vigneault is a known commodity to the True North organization, would they jump at the chance to renew this relationship if it meant discarding coach Noel?

Winnipeg Sun:  Change of scenery might be good for Alex Burmistrov, Winnipeg Jets.  There doesn’t appear to be a more polarizing figure amongst Jets fans these days than the young Russian centre.  Some point to his strong defensive play and lack of quality linemates while others suggest his east/west style of game is all sizzle with little substance.  Sounds like Burmistrov himself was surprised to see the headline proclaiming he wanted out of Winnipeg as he took to instragram and wrote “Ne, ne slyshal” which roughly translates to “no, I hadn’t heard”.

Contract Week:

RFA Bryan Little

RFA Zach Bogosian

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Penguins 7 Senators 3
Games: Bruins @ Rangers | Hawks @ Wings | Sharks @ Kings

Penguins 7 Senators 3 (Pittsburgh leads series 3-1):

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Things quickly turn out all right for Penguins.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Brandon Sutter hoping faceoff slump is over.

Pittsburgh Tribune:  It’s about time for these Penguins.

Ottawa Citizen:  Alfredsson doesn’t like Senators’ chances.

Ottawa Sun:  Back to reality for Spezza.

With apologies to Bryan Little (the focus of yesterday’s RFA analysis), and Blake Wheeler (the focus of tomorrow’s RFA analysis), in my opinion Zach Bogosian is the most important restricted free agent the Jets need to sign this off-season.

Bogosian skates as well as any NHL defenceman, hits with a vengeance, has a booming slap shot and, as demonstrated last season, is becoming an on-ice leader for the Jets. Perhaps most important to Jets fans is that Bogosian, by all accounts, legitimately enjoys playing in Winnipeg, and consequently has grown into a fan favourite for the Jets 2.0.

Given the skill set that Bogosian brings to the table, there would be no surprise if the Jets attempted to sign Bogosian to a long-term agreement. Unlike the Evander Kane contract negotiation of last off-season, which included (thus far unsubstantiated) rumblings that he was not enamored with playing in Winnipeg, that issue does not appear to be a factor with regard to Bogosian’s desire to re-up with the Jets, potentially on a long term basis.

With a seemingly mutual interest, let’s examine Bogosian’s statistics, as well as comparable players and contract situations, in order to determine a reasonable contractual framework for both the Winnipeg Jets and Zach Bogosian’s representatives to work within.

The American rearguard has seen his ice-time at five-on-five increase over the past three seasons, whereas his power play and penalty killing ice-time has stayed relatively stagnant.

His blocked shots, hits and goal totals have increased on a per-game basis which are all good signs.  Additionally, Bogosian is facing the toughest competition of all Winnipeg Jets defencemen, which indicates that Claude Noel has developed a trust for Bogosian just as Craig Ramsay had in the 2010-11 season in Atlanta.

People often forget that Zach Bogosian entered the league at 18 years old, and played for three coaches in his first four NHL seasons.   The lack of continuity in the head coach position, each with a different system and expectations, only serves to hinder a player’s development, especially a defenseman who tends to take longer to develop than a forward.

Statistical Comparables

Zach Bogosian is a unique defenseman.  He seems to have taken strides offensively but does not (yet, if ever) possess the offensive ability of a Drew Doughty, the player taken one selection ahead of him in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  To examine Bogosian strictly through goals, assists and points would be misleading and would not provide an accurate reflection of the player..

Let’s examine a number of players who either produce similarly to Bogosian points-wise (only one aspect of the game, especially for a young defenseman), were drafted in and around the same time as the New York State native and/or have signed contract extensions in the recent past.

Here are five comparable defenceman:

1.  Drew Doughty

2.  Brent Burns;
3.  Alexander Edler;
4.  Braydon Coburn; and
5.  Marc-Édouard Vlasic.

It should be noted that all of the above defencemen are under 30, used in all situations, skate very well and have been considered top defensive prospects in their respective organizations.

Now let’s take a look at their respective salary situations.

Contract Comparables

Here are the comparables and their respective salaries:

All of the above referenced players are now signed to long-term  contract, with the shortest one being four years in length.  Extrapolating this information, it appears that four years will be the lowest benchmark in term of length for Zach Bogosian’s next contract.

Conversely, only Drew Doughty is signed to a maximum NHL contract—although it is worth noting that his contract was signed prior to the NHL term limit that came into place this past January in the new CBA.

The majority of the aforementioned players were completing their second NHL contracts and were looking for the biggest contracts, financially, of their NHL careers.  While Bogosian is younger than all the above players except for Drew Doughty (same draft year), compared to the above players, the fact Bogosian entered the league at 18 years old accelerated his UFA eligibility clock (Bogosian would first be eligible for unrestricted free agency after two more NHL seasons accrued).

His age is mutually beneficial to both himself and to the Jets, as it allows him more years to make big money and ensures the team that they will be using his services during more of his “prime years” with five years of experience already under his belt.

While it seems that a contract between Bogosian and the Jets makes a lot of sense for both sides, we cannot complete disregard other alternatives:

Trade Bogosian

This does not appear to be a realistic possibility and really, why would it be?  The possibility of the Jets trading from defence, a position of strength, to acquire a forward (or two)—preferably a center or right winger—was dealt with in our piece regarding Dustin Byfuglien’s trade value in April.   Another possibility that could be explored is the team moving Tobias Enstrom, but given that is strictly rumor mongering, we will leave that discussion for another day.

Bogosian’s name, however, is not likely to enter the rumour mill anytime soon.

Bogosian Receives Offer Sheet

This is a more valid concern.  The Jets are deemed to be, at most, a mid-market franchise.  Teams such as the Philadelphia Flyers have demonstrated that they do not lack the financial ability or chutzpah to sign a player (i.e. Shea Weber) to a sizable and significant offer sheet.  The inception of the eight-year maximum contract in the new CBA, and accompanying rules regarding annual variance in salary, does make this type of offer more difficult but it cannot be ruled out nonetheless.

The longer a negotiation takes between the Jets and Zach Bogosian, the more rumblings you will hear about such a possibility (i.e. the Ryan O’Reilly situation).  In any event, any offer to Bogosian that would make the Jets really consider declining their right to match, would have to be at such a high value that the compensation in return to the Jets, would be at least two first round draft picks and a couple lower round picks (2nd and 3rd).

Conclusion: Value and Term

Zach Bogosian is a difficult player to forecast for future success.  More specifically, he is a difficult player to forecast to which level of success he will reach.  Will he take the next step offensively?  If he does not, he is still an extremely valuable NHL defenceman who is just entering the prime of his career, yet is already experienced, with five seasons of NHL playing time under his belt.

Few will argue he is at the level of Drew Doughty, but really, who is?

A comparison to the likes of Alexander Edler and Brent Burns relies on a jump in offensive production for a player that has never exceeded five goals in a season (to be fair, he had five goals in the lockout shortened 2012-13, a season in which he was injured to start the season).

A comparison to the likes of Braydon Coburn and Marc-Edouard Vlasic illuminates his value in all situations, both offensively and defensively.

Based on the market and the comparables provided, it appears that fair term and value for Bogosian is as follows:

Duration: 6 years

Cap Hit: $5.5

Total: $33.0 million

Note II:  Stay tuned to Illegal Curve as we celebrate Winnipeg Jets Contract Week all week long.  Richard will be breaking down some of the contracts and decisions that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to make as he figures out his roster for the 2013-14 season.  Second up, RFA Zach Bogosian at 10 AM CST.

Jets, prospect and World Championship news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg.  This doesn’t come as a big surprise.  He likely wants top line minutes but hasn’t shown the production to merit same.  But at the same time, this could simply be a ploy in the negotiations.

Winnipeg Sun:  Trouba fits right in.  Jets fans have to be salivating at the prospect of this young gun wearing the team jersey next season.  All indications are the Jets stole him when they drafted him 9th overall last year.

Illegal Curve:  RFA Analysis Bryan Little.  The Winnipeg Jets have an interesting off-season upcoming in terms of their pending unrestricted and restricted free agents. In the first of a series of in-depth analysis, Richard looks at RFA Bryan Little.

- Lukas Sutter and the Saskatoon Blades take on Winnipegger Brendan Leipsic and the Portland Winterhawks.

Stanley Cup news:

Scores:  Bruins 2 Rangers 1 | Sharks 2 Kings 1
Games: Penguins @ Senators

Bruins 2 Rangers 1 (Boston leads series 3-0):

Boston Herald:  Torey Krug stirs echoes of Greg Hawgood.

Boston Herald:  B’s take 3-0 series lead.

Newsday:  For two periods, Henrik Lundqvist ruled before being vanquished.

New York Times:  Bruins take control of game and series.

ESPN:  First-rate showing for fourth line.

Sharks 2 Kings 1 (Series tied 2-2):

San Jose Mercury News:  It wasn’t easy, but Sharks get the win they needed over the Kings.

San Jose Mercury News:  Goalie Antti Niemi barely breaking a sweat against Kings.

Los Angeles Times:  Sharks hope they can finally live up Stanley Cup expectations.

Los Angeles Times:  Kings’ last line of defense is shifting in playoffs.

Los Angeles Times:  Kings discovering that the road to a repeat is tougher than expected.