Cormier, Pardy waived by Jets

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This article was published 30/09/2013 (4400 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BANFF, Alta. — Two decisions are made and now there’s one to go for the Winnipeg Jets to get to the NHL-mandated 23-man maximum roster to start the season.

Defenceman Adam Pardy and centre Patrice Cormier were placed on waivers Sunday and if they clear, they’re likely on the way to the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps.

Both were at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre on Sunday but did not practise with the Jets.

By this afternoon’s 2 p.m. CT deadline, all NHL teams must comply with the maximum roster and the league’s $64.3-million salary cap.

If defenceman Dustin Byfuglien isn’t ready to go for Tuesday’s opener in Edmonton, it could complicate things.

Byfuglien went sliding into the boards legs-first late in Friday’s exhibition loss to Boston. The team said he was OK but after trying to skate for about 10 minutes on Sunday, Byfuglien had had enough.

“He’s day-to-day,” coach Claude Noel said after the 90-minute workout. “Precautionary measures. We’re being intelligent on that part. We expect him to be a player, yes.”

Noel meant for Tuesday, but more will be known when the Jets practise here again this morning before departing for Edmonton.

On a more certain note Sunday, both nicked-up defencemen Grant Clitsome and Zach Bogosian were on the ice and able to practise. Noel said he believes both will be a go for Tuesday.

Sunday’s skate, before 100 or so curious locals, was intense but upbeat.

“I thought practice was good today,” the coach said. “At the high altitude (about 4,600 feet) you can see it’s fairly tough on the players. I thought it was a crisp practice and we did some conditioning and a fair amount of battle.

“It was a hard-working day today, which it needed to be.”

That might have been a reference to either Friday’s 5-0 exhibition loss to Boston or the entire pre-season, at 1-4-3. Regardless, it’s a fresh page and Noel insisted this mini-retreat in Banff is not like cramming for exams.

“Not it’s not that,” he said. “We’re just trying to do some things that get us focused on the things we’re looking for.

 

Switch time

Bogosian confirmed what’s been seen several times during the pre-season, that the Jets’ top two defence pairings are going to try a switch.

He’s moving to play with Toby Enstrom, while Enstrom’s old partner Dustin Byfuglien will pair with Grant Clitsome.

“I’ve played with Toby for six years… we’ve kind of played off an on over the course of the last six years,” Bogosian said Sunday. “I remember when I first came in the league he was really easy to play with.

“I’m really looking forward to it. That being said, injuries happen and guys are in and out of the lineup and you kind of get used to just playing your game and realizing we’re all professionals. We all have to do our own job and help each other out.”

Why is this a good match, Bogosian was asked?

“I like to shoot the puck and Toby likes to pass,” he smiled. “He’s a very good, very smart player, very underrated in my opinion and in a lot of guys’ opinions. And he’s a smooth skater and I think our skating will do well against other lines that are good skaters.

“He’s very, very intelligent out there. You can tell by his decision-making. I’m looking forward to it.”

Bogosian said there are no concerns about his season-ending concussion symptoms from last spring nor the minor issues that have kept him from a game or two this September.

“I feel good,” he said. “This was something minor; you want to make sure you’re good for the regular season.

“No need to be stupid in pre-season. If it was my decision, I’d want to play every single game. I’m just trying to make sure I’m good to go.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca