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"We have a long- term plan and it's not about getting to the playoffs once. It's about going on a consistent basis and hopefully winning a championship."

Maybe the Chipman way of doing business will result in a Stanley Cup. Maybe it won't. We'll have to wait and see on that front.

But it's clear Chipman believes Cheveldayoff is the guy he wants, "with his hands on the wheel."

Cheveldayoff has done exactly what he said he would do. Set out a plan and executed it. One NHL GM took a look at the youth of the Jets organization during the recent prospects camp in Penticton, B.C., and said, "If they don't mess with this and screw it up, they'll be a force in a few years."

Chipman wanted to make sure Cheveldayoff had comfort in his position to see his plan through.

There's a genius in the simplicity of Cheveldayoff's approach but it takes resilience to avoid the pitfalls of quick fixes.

Maybe the Jets haven't got to the post-season as quickly as some would like but Chipman doesn't want a one-hit wonder. He wants a string of chart-toppers.

The fans of the Jets have been exemplary in their commitment. They too should demand a perennial winner.

Thankfully, their owner is doing it for them.

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717356 Winnipeg Jets

Downsizing the rule book

Reducing goal depth, goalie pads part of modifications for 2013-14

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/19/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. NHL nets, specifically goal frames, are smaller this season.

That modification is among several rule and rink modifications for the 2013-14 NHL campaign.

The league has decided to create a little extra space behind and to the side of nets while keeping the important scoring area at the customary four-feet-by-six feet.

The depth of the goal has been reduced to 40 inches from 44 inches and the radius of the curve on nets' sides is now 18 inches instead of 20 inches. That has reduced the overall width of the frame from 96 inches to 88 inches, creating a little bit of extra room to move around the rink's most crucial real estate.

The actual playing rules have seen changes to fighting, checking-to-the-head and icing provisions.

Icing would seem to be the most progressive.

In addition to eliminating the circumstance where an "attainable pass" was enough to have a potential icing call waved off (the puck must now be touched on the offensive side of the centre line), the league is experimenting with a new hybrid icing standard in the pre-season.

For this new rule, when a puck crosses the far goal-line, the icing determination will be made when either the defender (icing) or attacker (no icing) first reaches the faceoff dot in that zone.

The player's skate will be the determining item to reach the dot.

The rule will be implemented for the regular season only if a vote by the NHL Players Association at the end of the exhibition season approves it.

"There have been some scary accidents over the years but it feels like it's pretty much the same," Jets defenceman Toby Enstrom said about the possible new icing rule. "It's similar. But in the end it's about having a little bit of respect for the other guys around you.

"I like the rule as it is. But if they want to try to change it, every guy has to adjust to it. I'm only one guy out of 700. It's not up to me."

When a fight takes place, the league has eliminated the former extra minor penalty for instigating while wearing a visor. Now, players will receive an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct if they throw off their helmets before fighting.

League officials have also amended the wording of the relatively new Rule 48.1 on illegal checks to the head.

The modifications don't soften the rule any and are just meant to clarify the standard that targeting the head is not permitted, nor are checks allowed when they make the head the principle point of contact.

Equipment guidelines make up the rest of the new standards.

The seemingly constant evolution of what's allowable for goalies will see leg pad heights limited in a new, complicated formula that will see goalies subject to spot checks.

Here's what's now allowed: pads can be maximum 11 inches wide and their length is limited to each individual's physical makeup. A pad may not be any longer than floor to knee plus 45 per cent of knee to pelvis plus a four-inch skate allowance.

As for regular skaters, they've got five new things to be concerned about this season.

First, players with less than 25 games of NHL experience starting this season must wear a visor.

Second, sleeves of the jersey must now extend all the way inside the gloves.

Third, pants may not be cut, torn or open, especially on the inside of the thigh.

Fourth, any apparel underneath the torso that shows through or above the neck opening of the jersey must now be a uniform colour and of that of the team's jersey, so no more black turtle neck for Montreal centre Tomas Plekanec, for instance.

And lastly, one that will be an annoyance to several style-conscious NHLers -- Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin has already trashed this one -- jerseys may not be tucked into pants if it's going to expose the top padding of the pant or any additional body protection.

A warning will come first, followed by a minor penalty for a second violation.

Enstrom, who often has his jersey tucked, seemed unimpressed by the rule on Wednesday but didn't lash out like Ovechkin.

"I'm not the guy who's going to make all those decisions," Enstrom said. "Lucky me. If that's the rule they want to have, every player has to buy that rule.

"We're playing the game with a puck, sticks and skates. That's how it's been all the time but you know what, if they want to change rules and they feel comfortable doing it and it's not going to change the game, we'll buy into it and keep playing."

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717357 Winnipeg Jets

Ladd noticing youth influx

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/19/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

ONE week and three exhibition games (1-1-1) into training camp, Jets captain Andrew Ladd was asked Wednesday what he's learned so far about the 2013-14 edition of the team.

"I think we've learned that we have a lot of younger guys we can look for and they're going to push to get playing time and to move up to the ranks," Ladd said after Wednesday's practice at the MTS Centre. "That's exciting.

"Beyond that, it's been such a big group that it's tough to really see where exactly things are at. Hopefully when we get down in numbers, it will allow us to do that."

More cuts are likely coming at the end of the week, but in the meantime, there are still five exhibition games to play in the next nine days, including tonight's home contest against the Minnesota Wild.

What about those next nine days?

"I think at this point we want to get good habits in games, start to develop that part of it," said Ladd, who is expected to be in tonight's game. "For lines, chemistry and figuring out the way you need to play."

-- -- --

On defence, expect to see Dustin Byfuglien, Toby Enstrom and Zach Bogosian, and the odds are that Ondrej Pavelec's back-up Al Montoya is due for his first action of the pre-season.

-- -- --

Given that all his previous pro experience is in the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators organizations, new right-winger Matt Halischuk ought to be well-versed in one of the Jets' highest priorities -- cutting down on goals against.

Has he learned anything about his new team in that respect in the first week or traning camp?

"It's been a good start to camp and if we're talking about team defence, that's just going to be all five guys buying in and playing a team game," Halischuk said. "That's not going to be one guy coming in and making a difference. You just try to come in and play hard, play within the system and play together."

One of Halischuk's biggest challenges here isn't neccesarily the Jets' poor defensive habits, but that he knew almost nobody here when he arrived.

"(Patrice Cormier) a little bit but that was it," he said. "I'm very grateful to be part of the organization. Everybody's been great here and throughout the town and it's kind of a treat to be here so far."

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717358 Winnipeg Jets

Chevy's new deal hailed by Jets players

'It's great for the organization,' Bogosian says

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/19/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

It's worth noting that criticism on these matters -- the two-year contract extension granted Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff -- almost never comes from within but the strength of the endorsement from the locker-room on Wednesday does reflect the team's feeling of being on the same page with its hockey leader.

"For me personally, I'm very comfortable with what he does and I have a lot of respect for what he's done in the past and what he can do," said Jets captain Andrew Ladd. "I'm excited to have him around. He's one of the big reasons that I think a lot of guys decided to sign long-term here and I'm happy for him."

Cheveldayoff, 43, came on board with a five-year deal with the organization only days after the transfer from Atlanta was announced in 2011. Now his contract runs through 2017-18.

In his busiest summer of contracts yet, the GM re-signed 10 free agents in the off-season.

Ladd said the GM's style is conducive to the progress for which they're searching.

"He's around but he doesn't say a whole lot," the captain said. "He has a very respectable manner and he's good to all the guys, makes sure everyone has what they need and from my standpoint, treats everyone fairly.

"If you look at what he's done, the draft picks we've been able to accumulate and the direction we're heading, he's done a great job. The ownership has put a lot of trust into each and every one of us so now it's our turn to return the favour and take steps in the right direction."

One of the summer free agents to re-up was defenceman Zach Bogosian, at seven years and $36 million.

"It's great for the organization," Bogosian said of Cheveldayoff's deal. "Good for him. He deserves it.

"I think it's huge when you have a common goal in the room and you know where you're going and where you want to go. When I was in Atlanta, it was so up and down that I wasn't really sure what was going to happen.

"Now that we're here and we're all settled in, I think everyone's trying to get ready for the season and get things going, it's an exciting time of year. When you have a common goal, that's to win, you're moving in the right direction."

Right-winger Blake Wheeler, another restricted free agent who returned with a six-year, $33.6-million package, said the message from above in Winnipeg is consistent.

"It just reinforces what the culture they want to establish is," Wheeler said. "You look at (Jets chairman and governor) Mark Chipman and certainly Chevy, too, and I think they stand for the right things.

"They're about bringing a blue-collar attitude, a certain work ethic to this locker-room and that's the culture we're trying to build. They're passionate about winning and that's the most important thing. From having been with them the last two years and having dealt with them quite extensively this summer, that's what they're all about -- they want to win.

"It's certainly something I agree with."

Cheveldayoff, at Wednesday's press conference, lauded the staff around him -- in particular he named assistant GM's Craig Heisinger and Larry Simmons -- that has helped him earn the trust of the team's ownership. Given that his revised contract was the only deal announced, it will now be up to the GM to send that faith down the line.

And Cheveldayoff again spoke of patience and planning, drafting and developing as key elements to what he's doing.

"I think the real challenge is to resist the opportunity to try to accelerate this at a great cost," Cheveldayoff said, citing examples of free agency. "You really want to make things happen, those things to fall into your lap... but then you go through the process to see what it would take and those are the kinds of things that are challenges.

"You think that there's an easier or quicker way to try and do it but then you start drilling down and getting into it and then you realize you have to stay the course.

"I'm embracing this opportunity to help build this franchise."

Chipman said his faith in Cheveldayoff, based on the past and for the future, is more than strong.

"Over the past couple of years, I've learned that we've probably underestimated his abilities," Chipman said. "I cannot tell you how much confidence I have in Kevin's abilities. He's fit in seamlessly with our entire organization. I feel like we've been working together for far more than the last couple of years."

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717359 Winnipeg Jets

On the BUBBLE

Several vets looking to avoid trip to the farm... and a significant pay cut

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 09/19/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Imagine if your boss came to you today and informed you that your performance over the next week would determine if you could keep your job. Now you understand the stress of life on the bubble for a professional athlete.

"The first year I was here was the same situation and I was younger. I guess now I'm a little wiser. I've learned not to try and control what I can't," said potential Jets winger Patrice Cormier. "What I've learned is to work hard, be a good teammate, have a smile on my face and let the rest fall into place. I can't try to think what the coach or GM or anybody else is thinking. It's not up to me."

Cormier is on a one-year contract that will pay him $575,000 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL. Where he ends up has financial implications as well as emotional.

"You learn from the past. The first year I went through this, I was like, 'Oh, what did I do wrong today.' You have to leave what's at the rink at the rink," said Cormier. "You can't call your parents or your girlfriend and fret. It's just spreading misery. And you can't worry about the money. I don't bust my head thinking about what I will make in the AHL or the NHL. If someone told me I could play in the NHL for 100-grand I would say sure. It's about the pride of playing in the NHL, the best league in the world."

The Jets have a number of players fighting for work on the big club and they come in a variety of packages. From rookies such as Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba to veteran family men such as Ian White and Chris Thorburn.

Scheifele and Trouba have dreams they want to protect, while White has financial obligations.

"When I was breaking into the league and I was 20 or so it was a similar situation except I had time on my side. This time there's a little more desperation because I don't know how many more years I have left to play," said White. "But the mindset has to be the same. Go out and play and show them what you can do."

White is now a 29-year-old family man with 503 NHL games under his belt.

I have four mouths to feed and lots of bills to pay. This is my job. In the end you just want to play hockey and be around the guys and try to help a team win," said White. "It's not so much stressful. I take it with a grain of salt. It's kind of like this all the time. If you have a few bad games you could be out of the lineup. It's high stress all the time but you have to deal with that as a professional athlete."

Jerome Samson, 26, has played 46 games in the NHL over his career. If he makes the Jets he'll earn $600,000 and if he's sent to the AHL he'll take home $200,000.

"Not knowing where you're going to end up is stressful. But you have to take a day-by-day mentality and give all you have when given a chance," said Samson. "The good thing is they work us so hard in training camp that you get home and fall into bed and go to sleep. If you weren't so tired you might be able to think about it and that wouldn't be good."

Cormier says the call to the NHL is what makes all the work and anxiety worth it.

"I was so close a few years ago and then two days before the season they picked up a player and I was sent down. To have that taste in your mouth and to be so close, it's difficult," said Cormier.

"But then you get those call-ups during the season and it reminds you of how great it us up here. It's why we are all year, to play in the NHL. There's nothing like it."

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717360 Winnipeg Jets

Jets extend GM Cheveldayoff's contract

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/18/2013 9:35 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 09/18/2013 1:54 PM | Updates

Winnipeg Jets co-owner Mark Chipman has seen enough from general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to extend his original five-year contract for two more years, the team announced today.

Cheveldayoff, 43, has guided the NHL franchise to a 61-56-13 record - a .519 winning percentage - in his first two years in charge of the team.

Chipman said the matter of the extension was raised with Cheveldayoff in the spring and completed about a week ago.

"Our plan is very simple," Chipman said. "It is about re-investment in our organization from top to bottom, from facilities to player personnel to key management.

"I think you all know I hold Chevy in very high regard. I’ve known him for many, many years prior to bringing him on board. I’ve had a chance to observe his abilities as a general manager over a course of many, many board meetings with the American Hockey League. Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned that we’ve probably underestimated his abilities.

"I cannot tell you how much confidence I have in Kevin’s abilities. He’s fit in seamlessly with our entire organization. I feel like we’ve been working together for far more than the last couple of years."

Cheveldayoff was hired in June, 2011, after serving two seasons as assistant GM of the Chicago Blackhawks. The hiring came just a few days after the Atlanta franchise was transferred to Winnipeg.

Chipman said that coming out of last year's protracted labour-agreement battle, there is now certainty in the NHL's parameters and that it has led to much long-term planning within True North Sports and Entertainment.

"I’ve learned a long time ago, it doesn’t matter how badly you want to achieve something, in this case win hockey games, you’re only as good as the people that you surround yourself with," Chipman said. "I also believe the fans of our organization are deserving of knowing where we’re going and how we’re going to get there."

Cheveldayoff, the former Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman, said today he's fortunate to be surrounded by excellent people, in particular pointing to his two assistant GM's, Craig Heisinger and Larry Simmons.

"Over the course of the years here, through some of the additions, some of the retentions, we’ve really surrounded ourselves with a great staff," he said.

The the Blaine Lake, Sask., native previously spent 12 seasons as the General Manager of Chicago Wolves, winning four titles in the IHL and AHL.

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717361 Winnipeg Jets

Winning ways on display

Exhibition win over Oilers may set tone for team's ascent

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 09/18/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 09/18/2013 7:26 AM | Updates

It will mean diddly and squat in two weeks when the puck drops for real and the first shift to the last carries a larger and deeper meaning.

But if the Winnipeg Jets are to morph into a playoff squad for the first time in their rebirth here in River City, then developing an expectation, not a hope, of winning has to become part of the dressing-room DNA.

And so while Tuesday night's 3-2 exhibition win over the Edmonton Oilers will mean zilch when the two open the regular season on Oct. 1, it does fuel the desire to change the collective thinking.

"You have to develop that mindset," said Michael Frolik, who scored one of the Jets' three goals. "What I learned in Chicago is you always have to believe. If you're going to be successful you need to believe and have the mindset you're going to give it every game.

"We are in a competition. Everybody wants to win. If you're not like that, you can't be in this room. Everybody has to be like that."

THE BIG MAN'S DEBUT

His weight will remain a secret, but the trimmer, leaner Dustin Byfuglien who suited up for his first pre-season contest Tuesday did all the things management craves from his game. He's a physically dominant difference-maker who hammered Ryan Hamilton into the end boards so hard in the first period, one of the doors swung open. He played just over 24 minutes, finished with a team-high five shots but was also on the ice for one of the late Oiler goals.

"I guess whoever was in charge of that door over there didn't quite lock it and the poor kid went through," said Byfuglien of the Hamilton hit. "He just kind of looked at me like, 'Oh, oh.'... I think he was just as shocked as I was."

KANE, SETOGUCHI AND (INSERT CENTRE'S NAME HERE)

Take an unofficial poll of Jets faithful as to who should be the second-line centre between Evander Kane and Devin Setoguchi -- Mark Scheifele or Olli Jokinen -- and we'd guess the totals would hit 90 per cent in favour of the fresh-faced kid, not the grizzled vet.

A thought, based on two pre-season games as a sampling: It might not matter who mans the middle as long as these two snipers are together. The Kane-Scheifele-Setoguchi trio was good for five points last Saturday in Belleville and while the Kane-Jokinen-Setoguchi combo was held scoreless Tuesday against the Oilers, there were some signs of chemistry.

Perhaps the critical part of the question is this: With Kane and Setoguchi's game already blending, which pivot is both the better distributor and defender?

NO. 27... WITH A BULLET?

A big discussion point in Jetville this week was ESPN's ranking of Ondrej Pavelec as the 27th best goaltender in the NHL. What we saw for about 59 minutes Tuesday was the big Czech's counterpoint. Pavelec wasn't busy, but he was steady. And then for a 23-second stretch late in the third, the Jets took their foot off the gas and the Oilers potted two behind Pavelec.

All of which, of course, hammers home Claude Noel's assertion that once the attention to detail on defence improves so, too, will Pavelec's numbers.

"We got the win and we need to have that attitude right away," said Pavelec. "We have to learn from this game, that we have to be focused all 60 minutes."

FYI

Claude Noel said after the game more cuts/reassigning of players will happen later this week.

Anthony Peluso could get used to this -- the Jets' resident tough hombre's personal stat line included last night's game-winning goal.

THE SECOND STAR

Eric Tangradi didn't see his name appear on the scoresheet often last year, but there he was Tuesday picking up two assists. And that's partly the byproduct of all the competition for jobs.

"I don't think I've ever been in training camp and had my name written on paper anywhere... And I think it's great," he said.

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