Jets’ Fehr edges closer to return

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This article was published 16/11/2011 (5075 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets brought out their yellow caution flags today.

It’s good news because it signals that right-winger Eric Fehr is very close to returning to the lineup. Head coach Claude Noel said today there’s an outside chance that could happen Saturday afternoon when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the MTS Centre.

It’s more likely, though, that the 26-year-old Winkler product will officially return from shoulder surgery sometime next week, since Noel insisted today he needs to be put through at least a couple of serious practices.

But GM Kevin Cheveldayoff warned reporters — and by extension, fans, too — that Fehr will not be jumping into the season at top speed.

“Once we get Eric Fehr into the lineup, we’ll begin to truly understand where we’re at with the players within our organization,” Cheveldayoff said this morning. “You don’t know what he’s going to bring to the table yet.

“Also I should caution everybody here now that this is a player that has not had training camp. This is a player that has started to skate, is cleared for contact and is ready to ramp it up.

“It’s still going to take time for him to get acclimated to the rigours and speed of where we’re at, almost a quarter of the season in.”

Fehr, acquired from the Washington Capitals (Thursday’s visitors to the MTS Centre) over the summer, had 31 goals for the Capitals in the previous two seasons.

Cheveldayoff also addressed reporters today regarding the NHL general managers’ meetings earlier this week in Toronto and said that league re-alignment, which is expected to put Winnipeg back into the Western Conference, is on track to do so.

He pointed out it’s an owners’ issue, not a GMs’ issue, and that while he’s sure there will be no delay in re-arranging the teams, he’s just not sure yet of the exact alignment.

Some obversers have wondered if the league might put off the re-alignment talk given the instability of the Phoenix Coyotes situation.

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“I would assume that through all the talk of re-alignment, that there will be some tangible realignment,” he said. “Where, when, who, I don’t know.

“I don’t get a sense that there’s anything but taking the time to make the right decisions for all parties involved.”

The Jets’ wish, Cheveldayoff said, will be for an alignment that will improve their travel equation.

“We’ve talked about that a little bit internally,” the Jets GM said. “For us, from a pure hockey perspective, travel is the biggest thing. I’d pick the one that has the best travel.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb