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Some Jets players facing prospect of cuts after tonight's game

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 09/28/2011 12:58 PM | Comments: 0

Winnipeg Jets coach Claude Noel talks to the troops during the morning skate at the MTS Centre. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

JETS VS. HURRICANES

Tonigh: 7: 30 p.m., MTS Centre
Telecast/broadcast: TSN/Sports Radio 1290
Jets: 2-3-0
Last game: 3-1 win over Ottawa in St. John’s, NFLD.
Injury report: Eric Fehr, Kenndal McArdle, Aaron Gagnon (out)
Players still in camp: 36 – 20 forwards, 10 defencemen, three goaltenders, three injured
Hurricanes: 1-2-0
Last game: 4-0 win over Winnipeg in Charlotte
Injury report: Chad LaRose; Tuomo Ruutu, day-to-day.
Players still in camp: 36

THE JETS

4 Zach Bogosian, D
5 Mark Stuart, D
6 Ron Hainsey, D
8 Alex Burmistrov, C
9 Evander Kane, LW
12 Randy Jones, D
16 Andrew Ladd, LW
18 Bryan Little, C
20 Troy Bodie, RW
24 Janne Pesonen, LW
26 Blake Wheeler, RW
28 Patrice Cormier, C
45 Mark Scheifele, C
47 Derek Meech, D
49 Ben Maxwell, C
53 Brett Festerling, D
57 Jason Gregoire, RW
80 Nik Antropov, C
31 Ondrej Pavelec, G
50 Chris Mason, G

THE HURRICANES
4 Jamie McBain, D
5 Bryan Allen, D
11 Zach Boychuk, C/W
16 Brandon Sutter, C
19 Jiri Tlusty, C/LW
20 Riley Nash, C
21 Drayson Bowman, LW
22 Zac Dalpe, C/RW
27 Derek Joslin, D
28 Justin Faulk, D
37 Jussi Jokinen, F
37 Tim Brent, C
39 Patrick Dwyer, W
42 Brett Sutter, LW
44 Jay Harrison, D
51 Tomas Kaberle, D
53 Jeff Skinner, C/RW
71 Jerome Samson, RW
38 Brian Boucher, G
60 Justin Peters, G

It might be the last chance to impress for some and the start of a long relationship for others.

The Winnipeg Jets take to the ice tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at MTS Centre in their second-last preseason game before the lid lifts on the regular campaign on Oct. 9th.

And for the 36 players vying for roughly 25-26 roster spots, included those on the injured list, time is now of the essence.

"I’ve got to elevate my game in a lot of ways," began Winnipegger Jason Gregoire, one of the Jets’ players on the bubble. "Energy-wise I’ve got to fly around out there. Hockey happens so fast that if you’re not instinctive, you’re in trouble. I’ve just got to pick it up a little bit, execute a couple more plays and then if I can chip in offensively, that’d be awesome."

Gregoire will get every opportunity to shine, as he has been moved to a line centred by rookie sensation Mark Scheifele and featuring Evander Kane on the left wing and will play on the right side.

Scheifele, meanwhile, continues to draw a media crowd daily as his story -- can the 18-year-old first-round pick with just one year of junior under his belt make the team? – continues to play out with Jets’ nation watching.

Asked if he was getting used to all the attention, Scheifele grinned -- he is not only tied for the NHL preseason scoring lead with six, but unofficially leads the league in ear-to-ear smiles – and said:

"Maybe a little bit now. It’s still fun. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself and just keep playing my game and take it a day at a time.

"I’m feeling really good right now. We had a day off yesterday so I had a little time to rejuvenate. I haven’t had any bumps or bruises, knock on wood. It’s definitely been a big step -- the Ottawa game was a bit bigger than the Nashville game, Nashville was bigger than Columbus (his debut here in Winnipeg). I try to adapt pretty quick and get into the game as quick as I can."

Chris Mason is scheduled to start the game in goal for the Jets and play the entire contest. Brian Boucher will tend the net for the Canes and their lineup features NHL stars like Jeff Skinner and Tomas Kaberle, although Eric Staal will not be in action.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait

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