Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/09/2011 (4291 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE lines of communication are open but there appears to be no deal imminent for defenceman Zach Bogosian, the only main-roster free agent left to sign for the Winnipeg Jets.

Bogosian’s agent, Bob Murray of Boston, told the Free Press Friday that his discussions are continuing with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, but there is nothing else to report.

Cheveldayoff also said Friday there wasn’t much to report.

“Things are pretty much status quo,” the GM said. “There are conversations as we go. Time will play itself out.”

Bogosian, 21, is coming off his entry-level, three-year deal which paid him a base salary of $875,000. With bonuses, Bogosian’s cap hit for the last three years has been $3.375 million.

He had five goals and 17 points for the Atlanta Thrashers in 71 games last season.

Jets main training camp opens next Saturday and without a deal, Bogosian won’t be able to participate.

Slater big fan of No. 19

Jets’ centre Jim Slater will don his favourite digits — No. 19 — now that the team has relocated from Atlanta. It’s the same number Slater wore at Michigan State as a tribute to his favourite player growing up: Detroit Red Wings’ icon Steve Yzerman. Slater switched to No. 23 when he first arrived in Atlanta in 2005 as No. 19 was then worn by Scott Mellanby.

 

Out with the old

THE signs of hockey change are everywhere in Winnipeg these days.

On Friday, they came to the MTS IcePlex, where the gigantic illuminated Moose logo on the front of the facility was taken down by workers and replaced by a new Jets logo.

The Jets will use the IcePlex for practice when the MTS Centre isn’t available.

 

Wellwood grieving

KYLE WELLWOOD bolted to Russia’s KHL last fall when an NHL opportunity wasn’t imminent, so he has first-hand knowledge of many of the people affected by this week’s tragic plane crash near Yaroslavl.

“I’m still emotional about it,” said Wellwood, who played 25 games for Mytishchi Atlant before returning to the NHL. “I was (Pavol) Demitra’s teammate (in Vancouver) and playing against that team last year, they had all the same players. It’s an incredible tragedy.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca