Jets rumoured to host Habs at 2026 Heritage Classic

It looks like the 2026 Heritage Classic will feature the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens.

For the Jets that’s ‘one in a row’

NASHVILLE — There were no victory laps being taken inside the Winnipeg Jets locker room Saturday night. No fist pumps, chest bumps or bold claims that everything was suddenly fixed. In fact, a casual observer might have had no idea, based on the subdued reaction, whether the hockey team won or lost.

But make no mistake: A 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators inside Bridgestone Arena was just what the doctor ordered for a wounded group that desperately needed to stop the bleeding.

“It’s one. It’s one. We wanted to win one in a row. So that’s the first one,” head coach Scott Arniel told the Free Press.

Baby steps, for sure. But at least they are in the right direction. The Jets limped into the game having lost a season-high four games in a row, and eight of the last 11, to plummet down the NHL standings. A regulation defeat against the Predators — who currently occupy the league’s basement — would have left only two points separating them.

Milic thrown to the wolves

RALEIGH, N.C. — Poor Thomas Milic. He never really stood a chance.

The 22-year-old goaltender, making his NHL debut on Friday afternoon in Raleigh, was thrown to the wolves by a spiralling Winnipeg Jets team that suddenly can’t score, defend… or win.

A 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes would have actually been much worse if not for Milic, who stopped 31 of 35 shots he faced and deserved better. Thanks entirely to him, this was actually a 1-1 game with less than nine minutes to play until the Jets completely imploded.

However, it wasn’t just the foul finish that had head coach Scott Arniel fuming as he spoke with the Free Press outside the team’s room at Lenovo Center.

Rocking Raleigh as a Hurricane

RALEIGH — Josh Stein may be the governor of North Carolina, while Janet Cowell is the current mayor of Raleigh. But make no mistake: Seth Jarvis could probably run this place if he wanted to.

The Winnipeg product is as popular as they come around these parts, winning fans everywhere with his terrific play on the ice and his personality and charm off of it. All of that was on display earlier this week when the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the New York Rangers in what was touted as a “Showcase Game” for Jarvis.

FanDuel Sports Network South made him the focal point of their broadcast, with an isolated box capturing his every move — from pre-game arrival to the final buzzer and beyond. He was mic’d up and, fittingly, scored his team-leading 12th goal of the year, giving it an extra-long fist pump while sliding on his knees and a huge “wooooooo” for all those tuning in.

Jarvis is no stranger to the spotlight, as he’s one of the featured players this year in Amazon Prime’s FACEOFF: Inside the NHL series which gives viewers an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at life in the NHL.

Jets’ Lowry honoured to continue representing’ great community’

Adam Lowry isn’t someone who enjoys hypotheticals, he prefers to deal in absolutes.

Earlier this week, the Winnipeg Jets captain was fielding questions from a group of young hockey players from St. John’s-Ravenscourt when he was on the receiving end of one that could have caught someone else off guard.

If you weren’t on the Jets, what team would you want to play for?

Lowry took a brief moment and kind of chuckled before explaining that if — and only if — playing for the Jets wasn’t an option, his hometown Calgary Flames were a team that would be at the top of his list.

Ehlers looking forward to ‘special’ game against Jets

TORONTO — Nikolaj Ehlers didn’t need a reminder about what was coming next Friday.

The former Winnipeg Jets winger is eagerly awaiting his first trip to the place where he spent the first decade of his NHL career.

And for the record, Ehlers wasn’t trying to pass it off as just another game on the schedule — and good on him for that.

“It will be special,” Ehlers said after chipping in two assists in a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs last Sunday. “I’ve always said that I’m not ever nervous for a hockey game, but for that one, it might creep in a little bit. I have a lot of good friends on that team who have been family and are still family.

Scheifele should be shoo-in for Olympic team

Mark Scheifele has put himself in prime position to realize his Olympic dreams. Now he just needs to maintain his high level for another seven weeks or so.

The Winnipeg Jets centre is off to one of the strongest starts of his NHL career, leading his team in scoring and providing strong two-way play going into Friday’s date with the San Jose Sharks.

After dealing with the disappointment of being left off the roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, Scheifele has made it his mission to be included with the group heading to Milan-Cortina, Italy, in a couple months.

Given the fact he was on call as an injury replacement in case one of Sidney Crosby or Anthony Cirelli couldn’t play due to injury last February, we’ll put Scheifele in the pole position when it comes to players helping their cause.

Team culture building best recipe for consistent results

Buy-in is the buzzword that just won’t go away.

If you’re a winning NHL team, it’s impossible not to have it and, if you’re trying to move from the also-rans to the contenders, it’s what you lean into so heavily that you almost will it into existence.

Scott Arniel references it frequently and the proof is in the pudding for a Winnipeg Jets club that turned defending from a weakness into a strength.

Utah Mammoth bench boss André Tourigny talked about the importance of buy-in to his team’s hot start prior to facing the Jets last Sunday and Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill was bombarded with questions about the early-season buy-in prior to Thursday’s meeting in Winnipeg.

Toews looking forward to early-season matchup against former club

Jonathan Toews knows this won’t just be another game.

Given all that has transpired over the course of nearly two decades with the Chicago Blackhawks, there’s no chance the first meeting against the team that chose him third overall in the 2006 NHL draft could just be one of 82 on the schedule.

The four-second pregnant pause Toews took before answering a question about the significance of the meeting early this week told a story in itself.

“I don’t know. It is what it is. I’m so past that point now,” Toews told the Free Press in a one-on-one interview this week. “It’s been a couple of years. I’ve kind of wrapped my head around (the fact) things are over in Chicago. But yeah, the first time, it will be interesting.”

Former Jet Schmidt having fun in Utah after Cup win with Florida

It’s hard to wipe the smile of Nate Schmidt’s face at the worst of times. The man just exudes positivity. And that was certainly the case on Sunday as the 34-year-old returned to Winnipeg for the first time as a Stanley Cup champion, now a member of the upstart Utah Mammoth.

“A heck of a ride,” is how the popular former Jets defenceman described his past few months in a chat with the Free Press. “And a whole heap of fun.”

Schmidt spent three full seasons in Winnipeg — “the most games I’ve played anywhere” — then was bought out of the fourth and final year of his deal following the 2023-24 season. The Minnesota product didn’t take it personally, recognizing his game was no longer up to the level of a player earning US$5.95 million on a Jets team with salary cap concerns.

“I got it. I loved it there, but stuff had to happen. I have a lot of respect for them,” said Schmidt.

Offensive showdown expected when Winnipeg Jets clash with Utah Mammoth

The Winnipeg Jets are about to face one of their biggest early tests of the young hockey season.

Sunday’s clash with the Utah Mammoth at Canada Life Centre will be a showdown between two of the NHL’s top teams right now — not only in the Central Division, but league-wide.

Winnipeg enters with a 6-2-0 record, while Utah carries an even more impressive 7-2-0 mark after a sixth straight victory on Saturday, this time against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul by a 6-2 score. After a few years of steady progress, the Mammoth are beginning to come of age and announce their arrival to the rest of the league.

“We know the skill that they have, and obviously, they’ve taken a big step forward. So it will be a challenge,” Jets defenceman Neal Pionk said Saturday following an optional skate at the downtown rink.

Botterill grows with experience

When it comes to the general manager’s chair, second chances don’t come around all that often in the NHL.

You can be sure Jason Botterill appreciates the opportunity he’s been given to try and turn things around for the Seattle Kraken, who have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs once in the first four seasons of existence.

Born in Edmonton, but raised in Winnipeg, Botterill has been in the Kraken organization since he was hired as assistant general manager in January of 2021. He was promoted to executive vice-president and GM in April as Ron Francis moved into the role of team president.

“It’s an easier transition, just knowing the organization and being a part of it, knowing our staff and knowing our players,” Botterill said before the Kraken faced the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg native Kirkland took long road to the NHL

CALGARY — His teammates call him “Costco” — a clever nod to the warehouse retailer’s signature discount brand that happens to share his last name.

Fittingly, Calgary Flames forward Justin Kirkland hails from Winnipeg, a city that certainly knows the value of a good bargain.

“It wasn’t really a thing until last year. A couple of the guys started saying it, then more and more and it really took off,” Kirkland told the Free Press on Monday morning with a laugh.

“It’s been fun. Mom and Dad think it’s hilarious.”