Jets 'tweaking' new colours

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Gregory Smith / the associated press archives Work is still underway on the successor to the Thrashers� logo and jersey Zach Bogosian and his fellow Jets will wear. (CP)

If it's true that patience is a virtue, then diehard fans of the Winnipeg Jets -- every single one of them itching to buy something with the new logo on it -- must be the most virtuous folks on the planet.

And so, while it won't soothe any of the anticipation, especially in the wake of more contests springing up and artists scrambling to finish their own concepts, here's the latest missive from team headquarters on the unveiling of the new logo and uniform:

"We're working through the final logo and jersey work," said Jets director of corporate communications Scott Brown.

"That doesn't mean it'll be announced any time soon. We just want to let the public know that contributions to any type of contest aren't going to be considered because we're long past that stage. To take in a new concept or logo now would mean the jerseys would not be ready for the beginning of the season.

"We're far down that road in the process of making final detailed tweakings to the logo and the jerseys."

Brown said the release of the new logo -- which chairman Mark Chipman indicated at last month's draft will look dramatically different from the old one -- will come in advance of the jersey unveiling.

The NHL needs the logo for its own publications, the Jets need it for advertising and other teams are asking for it ASAP so they can have it printed on their tickets.

The new jerseys, meanwhile, still likely won't be good to go until the end of the summer. Brown did say when the Jets rookies take to the ice at the Vancouver Canucks' Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, B.C., from Sept. 11-15 they'll be sporting the new look.

WHAT ABOUT ZACH, BOB? The agent for Jets restricted free agent defenceman Zach Bogosian (who is not eligible for arbitration) told the Free Press Wednesday contract talks on a new deal should heat up soon.

"We haven't talked in great detail yet because we've realized they've had a lot on their plate with the franchise move, hiring a head coach and all the things they had to do to get organized," said Bob Murray.

"I don't see it being an issue. (GM) Kevin (Cheveldayoff) had Zach briefly on a conditioning assignment in Chicago with the Wolves and it was encouraging to hear him speak highly of him and that he is in the long-term plans of the organization."

CLEAR SIGNAL/PICTURE: Negotiations on the Jets television and broadcast agreements continue and should be announced within the next few weeks. Both TSN and Sportsnet are in discussions for the TV rights while CJOB, 1290 and Rogers are said to be interested in the radio rights.

MORE DIVISIONAL THOUGHT: Good stuff from ESPN hockey gurus Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun on divisional realignment. While Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold said last week the Jets would join a new Central Division, a source told ESPN this week the league is holding off making any announcements while discussing cutting the number of divisions from six to four as part of a two-conference setup that would lead to a balanced schedule.

Consider, too, that with the Phoenix Coyotes still seeking an owner -- and Quebec City and Seattle possible sites for relocation -- it would be premature for the NHL to commit to any alignment.

QUOTABLE: Here's Ray Edwards, who had interviewed with the Jets for an assistant coaching position, on why he's going to remain in the AHL as the head coach of the Portland Pirates:

"I just thought staying with Phoenix and coming to Portland from a family standpoint, a comfortability standpoint, this was the best thing to do," Edwards told the Portland Press Herald.

"The NHL is great and to be there would have been unbelievable, but there's a lot that goes into those decisions.

"Obviously, my family is a big part of it. At this point, we just decided that (the Pirates) would be the best thing."

LEFTOVERS: The Jets should be announcing additions to their scouting staff as well as the hiring of one more assistant coach and a video coach within the next few weeks... Former Atlanta Thrashers assistant coach Mike Stothers, who didn't have his contract renewed by the Jets after the franchise relocation, is the new head coach of the Western Hockey League's Moose Jaw Warriors.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: WFPEdTait

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 14, 2011 C5