Hey all! Here is our feature running Monday through Friday that will bring you up to date on what’s going on in the media pertaining to the Winnipeg Jets and elsewhere in the NHL.
Ed. Note: Now that we have reached the Stanley Cup Finals, Altitude Check will only be running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Here is what's in the news for Friday, June 1, 2012:
It's hard to believe this all happened one year ago. [WFP]
Let the speculation begin: Will the Jets consider moving Tobias Enstrom? “It’s no secret the Jets’ organizational depth is on the blue-line and it’s no secret the Jets need to add to their forward group. So, you have to figure general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is going to have to at least listen if teams start calling, to get a better idea of what he could get back. The 2012 NHL Entry Draft is less than a month away and that’s a time where teams historically make blockbuster deals, either for draft picks or other top-end talents. From where we sit, Enstrom seems like the kind of guy who could bring the top-six forward the Jets’ covet, not to mention need, in order to take the next step.” [Winnipeg Sun]
The Tavern United in Transcona will host the official 2012 NHL Draft party including visits from Zach Bogosian and Mark Stuart. Tickets are selling for $25.00. [WFP]
In which Gary Bettman praises Mark Chipman's perseverance. [Winnipeg Sun]
Four ways that the Jets have changed the city of Winnipeg. [CBC]
Jim Bender speculates on which city would be next to receive an NHL franchise. [Canoe]
Has the Jets return really been the best news in Winnipeg's history? [Winnipeg Sun]
More from Laura Astorian on the teams relocation from Atlanta. [Thrashing the Blues]
Former Thrashers Ilya Kovalchuk, Johan Hedberg and Eric Boulton — now members of the New Jersey Devils — are vying for the Stanley Cup that eluded them in Atlanta. [AJC]
Unfortunately for the aforementioned trio, Anze Kopitar was your hero Wednesday night, tucking a shot past Martin Brodeur in overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 goes Saturday. [Jewels from the Crown, In Lou We Trust]
More Thrashers news: Bob Hartley is the newly appointed head coach of the Calgary Flames. Hartley — who coached the Thrashers to their only playoff appearance — has a long history with Flames GM Jay Feaster, dating back to their time together in Hershey during the mid-nineties. [Globe and Mail]
Hartley told John Shannon of Sportsnet he doesn’t expect to be part of a rebuild. Jay Feaster: “Going for it!” since 2004. [PHT]
So what does this mean for the coaching vacancy in Montreal? Well, it appears they are down to Marc Crawford and Michel Therrien, either of whom will undoubtedly be fired in the next three years. [The Hockey Writers]
Meanwhile Scott Mellanby has joined the Canadiens as their Director of Player Personnel. [Montreal Gazette]
Saying goodbye to a legend: Nicklas Lidstrom has retired. In depth coverage can be found via our SB Nation pals at Winging it in Motown. [Winging it in Motown]
And you can cross another name off of Scott Wasilewski's NHL '94 List. *sobs gently* [The Strangest One Of All]
So will Lidstrom’s retirement open the door for UFA to-be Ryan Suter to sign in Detroit? [The Fourth Period]
Pierre LeBrun suggests that Tim Thomas might be contemplating taking a year away from the NHL. Somewhere Dominik Hasek is weeping. [ESPN Blog]
Ellen Etchingham rips the CBC to shreds as it pertains to their While the Men Watch campaign. (NSFW) [Backhand Shelf]
Finally, the Marty Index has been shuffled after New Jersey's Game 1 loss as per Steve Rushin:
Marty Brodeur falls one spot in this morning’s Marty Index: 5. Scorsese. 4. Brodeur. 3. Gras. 2. Moose. 1. McFly.
— Steve Rushin (@SteveRushin) May 31, 2012
