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 are through with the Stanley Cup Finals, Altitude Check will only be running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Here is what's in the news for Monday June 25, 2012:
The Winnipeg Jets’ six picks at the NHL draft and the acquisition of Jonas Gustavsson’s rights = intrigue. [WFP]
Mark Scheifele is getting used to playing for Steve Spott, coach of the rival Kitchener Rangers, in advance of the four-game challenge between Canada and Russia in August. Spott says the only question regarding Scheifele right now is “sheer physical strength and it’s going to come.” [WFP]
The Copper & Blue breaks down the odds of a late round pick making it to the NHL and explains why it makes sense to take risks on high upside players that are not a sure thing to come to North America. [Copper & Blue]
Lukas Sutter apparently plays like a Sutter. "I think I play a little bit similar to Brandon, but a little more sandpaper to my game, a little bit tougher," Lukas said. "It's something where you have to play that way to be a successful player nowadays, the way L.A. played down the stretch.. Everyone was physical and paid the price." [WFP]
Chris Mason was not gung-ho about returning to the Jets at the end of the season due to his playing time. After surveying the free agent landscape, he would now “want to come back and be part of this commitment to rebuild.” [WFP]
Jonas Gustavsson does not know how seriously the Jets are taking him. [Winnipeg Sun]
NHL.com recaps the events of the weekend, including the trade of Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh to Carolina in return for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the 8th pick in the draft. [NHL.com]
The Schenn brothers have also been united as the Maple Leafs traded Luke to the Flyers in exchange for James van Riemsdyk. The Flyers may have been reamed on this one. [TSN]
The Jets decided not to make a qualifying offer to Winkler native Eric Fehr. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on Sunday as a result. [WFP]
Bobby Ryan is sick of having his name mentioned in trade discussions, wishes Anaheim would just pull the trigger already. [Courier Post]
Jacob Trouba was at the top of the Jets' list when it came time to pick. Trouba's old coach seems to think it was a good pick. "We always compare him to a shark out on the ice. He's got a real good edge to him and competes, handles himself like a real pro." [WFP]
Sean Leahy breaks down the winners and losers of the draft. [Puck Daddy]
Gary Lawless thinks Ondrej Pavelec’s KHL negotiating leverage has now been counterbalanced by the acquisition of Jonas Gustavsson’s rights. [WFP]
