Potential Jets homecoming in the works for Doan

The Winnipeg Jets are not waiting until July 1 to pursue a prized free agent they believe can help their hockey club.

Former Jets forward Patrik Laine could be good gamble for club

Who’s ready for another hockey homecoming?

One year ago, all the focus around here was on whether the Winnipeg Jets could land St. Vital product Jonathan Toews as he returned to the sport following a two-year, health-related hiatus. History shows the man known as Captain Serious did indeed sign on the dotted line.

Now, another prominent player with major ties to this city and organization could soon be searching for a new place to lace up his skates once free agency opens on July 1. And it would make plenty of sense — both on and off the ice — to get a deal done.

We’re talking about Patrik Laine.

Jets gunning for NHL Draft Lottery luck

Memo to Winnipeg Jets fans, coaches and management: grab your rabbit’s foot. Scour the nearest field for four-leaf clovers. And — if your memory goes back that far — try to find what you were wearing on April 30, 2016, and hope it still fits.

This team could use a little luck.

The NHL Draft Lottery takes place at 6 p.m. Tuesday (live on Sportsnet), and the Jets are hoping their fortunes go from good to great.

Winnipeg finished 26th overall in the regular-season standings, which means it is currently slotted to pick seventh overall in the draft, scheduled for June 26 (first round) and 27 (rounds two through seven). But that position could rise or fall depending on how the ping-pong balls bounce.

Jets’ Toews named Masterton finalist

Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The award is presented annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey” and is voted on by approximately 300 members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Toews certainly fits the bill. The 38-year-old Winnipegger returned to the sport this past season following a two-year health-related hiatus caused by long COVID and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

The three-time Stanley Cup winner and long-time captain of the Chicago Blackhawks signed with his hometown Jets and played all 82 games, recording 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in the process. He was one of the league leaders in faceoff percentage (62.1 per cent) and served as a mentor to many of Winnipeg’s young players.

Montreal fans brace for decisive playoff clash as Canadiens face winner-take-all game

MONTREAL - Montreal is bracing for a defining night of hockey, and for many fans, Game 7 of the Canadiens’ playoff series is as much about ritual and memory as it is about the score.

Hours before puck drop, the energy is already building across the city, from fully booked sports bars to families making their way downtown for the winner-take-all playoff game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bell Centre, home of the Canadiens, will open its doors for a public viewing of the game on the big screen, with tickets priced at $12 — an offer that sold out quickly, with 21,000 people snapping up the chance to be part of the atmosphere.

For Mélissa Parisé, a 46-year-old from Montreal’s South Shore, the evening will turn into a multi-generational celebration.

“It’s actually a triple birthday celebration,” Parisé said. “My sister-in-law Julie’s birthday was April 28, mine is today, May 3, and my daughter Noémie’s is tomorrow, May 4.”

Working the family farm set up top NHL draft prospect Carels for hockey success

It takes a village to raise a hockey player.

Carson Carels would be the first to tell you his just happens to include hundreds of cows, goats, peacocks, chickens and whatever else might be wandering the 2,000 acres of rolling hills in south-central Manitoba that he and his family call home.

The farm isn’t just where the 17-year-old lives. It’s where he was built.

“It has shaped who I am,” said Carson.

Viral Senators fan still optimistic about playoff chances despite being ‘banished’

OTTAWA - An Ottawa Senators fan who went viral for a video hyping the team's playoff run has joked that he got "banished" to Taiwan for cursing the team with his Sens-themed playoff songs.

The team posted a video of Kyle Ivan Thursday in Taipei saying the team wanted him as far away as possible from the Canadian Tire Centre for game three against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ahead of the playoffs, Ivan posted a video on multiple social media platforms parodying Eminem's Without Me. Between Ivan's own channels and others who shared it, it generated millions of views, and a lot of online hate.

Then the Sens lost the first two games and many fans decided Ivan's song was a jinx.

Lane Hutson and Habs take over ‘next station’ announcements in Montreal metro

MONTREAL - About a year after coming under fire for removing the words "Go! Canadiens Go!" from the electronic signs on city buses over concerns about Quebec's language legislation, the Montreal transit agency is trying something new to show its love for the Habs.

The agency has recruited four members of the NHL team to announce the names of underground metro stations in French during trips as the cars pass through the stops next to the team's home at the Bell Centre.

It means commuters can now hear the voices of Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jakub Dobes and Alexandre Texier as they approach the Bonaventure and Lucien-L'Allier metro stations in downtown Montreal.

''This is Lane Hutson, next station Lucien-L'Allier,'" says the voice of the Canadiens star defenceman, in one of the recordings now being played on the metro.

No shortage of storylines as NHL playoffs kick off

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

Sing it with us: It’s the mooooooost wonderful time of the yearrrrrrrrrr.

The hockey year, anyway. Buckle up, folks, as the Stanley Cup playoffs get underway on Saturday for what is sure to be another two-month joyride.

The first round is typically the best, with multiple games every night and plenty of energy, excitement and chaos.

Seattle Kraken forward McMann looks to have no shortage of suitors for next season

Bobby McMann is in prime position to cash in as an unrestricted free agent, even though he’s not ready to truly focus on who his next employer might actually be.

As the Seattle Kraken rolled through Winnipeg earlier this week to take on the Jets, McMann conceded that it’s impossible not to have part of his mind wandering after being on the move for the first time in his career.

But with the Kraken clinging to hope in the Western Conference wild card chase, his eye is on that potential prize and his future will take care of itself.

“I mean, it’s hard not to think about it. It creeps in,” said McMann. “I’m trying to focus all of my energy right now on playing and trying to get on a roll here because that’s all we’ve got to do to get in (to the playoffs).”

Accolades pour in for Scott Oake ahead of impending sendoff

Truth be told, Scott Oake wanted what is commonly known as an Irish goodbye.

The veteran Winnipeg broadcaster had hoped to keep his retirement to himself until sometime this summer, then casually let it slip he wouldn’t be returning in the fall for another season on Hockey Night in Canada.

No fuss. No muss. A quick fade to black.

“I had hoped to go out quietly, but I’m to blame for what’s going on,” Oake told the Free Press with a laugh. “You know, I told a few people, word got around and here we are.”

Jets look forward to playing old head coach as club lands in Columbus

There will be a steady stream of smiles, hugs and handshakes when the Winnipeg Jets walk into Nationwide Arena on Saturday.

That’s standard operating procedure when Rick Bowness is in the building, thanks to the bond so many members of the Jets formed with him during his two seasons behind the bench in Winnipeg before he stepped away from coaching to focus on his health and the health of his wife Judy.

“He is an incredible human being. It’s great to see him back behind the bench doing what he loves and excelling,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry.

“You just see the motivation, and you see how hard the guys play for him. He is a great coach and demands a lot but it comes from respect. He loves you as a player and a person and those are the coaches you love to play for.”

Avalanche Cup favourites going into regular-season homestretch

Motivation comes in many forms when you’re trying to go wire to wire for the Presidents’ Trophy.

The Winnipeg Jets found this out last season and the Colorado Avalanche are going through a similar process in the current one.

Although the Avalanche (48-13-10) have built their lead over the Dallas Stars to nine points, they’re not about to let their foot off the gas during the final 11 games of the regular season — which includes a rematch with the Jets on Saturday night in Denver.

“Like almost everybody else in the league right now, we’re playing important games,” said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. “We have our goal set on first place — it’s been set there all year — and we’re still fighting and trying to accomplish that goal. We feel like home ice is a big thing. You can avoid a couple of really strong opponents.

Step aside Oscars, hockey awards season is just heating up

PITTSBURGH — Rick Bowness has never won the Jack Adams Trophy during his decorated coaching career. He was named a finalist for the first — and only — time while guiding the Winnipeg Jets during the 2023-24 season.

That campaign ended with a disappointing first-round playoff exit and a retirement announcement from Bowness, who along with his wife, Judy, had battled health issues that year.

Life has a funny way of circling back sometimes, and Bowness is not only back behind a big-league bench, but making a compelling case that he might just be the best in the business.

The fact that Bowness was still soaking up his post-hockey life at the start of 2026, spending time with family in Florida, makes this story even more incredible.

Hofer ready for more with Blues

There’s a legitimate argument to be made that the best Canadian goaltender on the St. Louis Blues is not the one who was standing in net during the gold medal game last month in Milan.

No disrespect to Olympic silver medallist Jordan Binnington, but Joel Hofer has seized control of his team’s crease this season. The 25-year-old Winnipegger has already set career highs in games played, wins and shutouts, showing he has the makeup to take on a bigger role with the club.

He’ll likely get his chance, too, with the 32-year-old Binnington — who was in net on Sunday afternoon as the Blues fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre — under contract for just one more year and the subject of plenty of trade rumours.

“I’m a competitor. I always want to play. I obviously can’t control who starts or what not,” Hofer told the Free Press following the game.