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 Friday, July 27, 2012:
BREAKING: As per multiple twitter feeds including Scott Brown (TNSE) and Shawn Churchill (CTV), the Winnipeg Jets have re-signed defenseman Tobias Enstrom to a 5 year 5.75MM AAV extension .
Wherein it’s stated that Evander Kane wants to remain a Jet for the long term, despite no evidence to support that other than an alleged offer from Jets management. [Winnipeg Sun]
Expect a rather large overhaul to St. John’s roster heading into the upcoming season. That said, there will still be plenty of pipeline talent for fans to get behind. [The Telegram]
Interesting news from Dmitry Chesnokov regarding the future status of Alexander Burmistrov:
#KHL Ak Bars coach tells club’s website #Jets‘ forward Burmistrov (who is currently practicing w/AK Bars) may come back to RUS next year.
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) July 26, 2012
#KHL Ak Bars coach also claims #Jets‘ Burmistrov “has the desire to play for Ak Bars.”
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) July 26, 2012
Chesnokov explained further, stating that Burmistrov's return would be for the 2013-14 season. While it's still no more than a rumour, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Pete Tessier weighs in on the Burmistrov coverage: "Where this story gets tough to determine the 'intent' of agendas is the source- AK Bars coach., one Valery Belov. Is he making a simple presupposition or just basic male pontificating. Chesnokov is far from clear on that point and he may not know as he may not be the one who heard the exact comments." [Hockey Buzz]
Former Atlanta Thrasher Angelo Esposito (part of the Marian Hossa trade), best known as a budding prospect that never fully realized his potential at the NHL level has signed a one-year contract with the Lahti Pelicans of the SM-liiga. [Puck Daddy]
Remember: If you are on the waiting list for Winnipeg Jets season tickets, the dealine for your 2012-13 deposit is today. Don't lose your spot! [WFP]
Alexander Semin has signed a 1 year 7MM deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Semin has scored 45 points (27G, 18A) in 41 career games against the ‘Canes – more than any other team he has faced. [TSN]
Scott Cullen looks inside the numbers of Alexander Semin. [TSN]
David Shoalts reports that the NHLPA is close to tabling their counterproposal to the NHL. Both sides have pushed forward in their attempt to find common ground as they try to sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. [Globe & Mail]
More quotes from Donald Fehr regarding the on goings of this labour dispute: "On a lot of things I don't think there'll be a big difference in opinion. On some other things we have to analyze what the actual affect of moving from A to B would mean for the individual players, our staff and agents that would be working on those matters." Should we view this as a step in the right direction or lawyer double speak? You be the judge. [TSN]
Although they ultimately lost out on Shea Weber after the Nashville Predators matched their offer sheet, the Philadelphia Flyers have moved on, re-signing forward Jakub Voracek to a 4 year 4.25MM AAV deal. [Sportsnet]
More follow-up on Weber’s offer sheet being matched from both Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers blogs. [SB Nation]
Pete Tessier makes another appearance in today's headlines as he offers the argument of taking four first round draft picks as opposed to matching the offer sheet on Shea Weber: "47% of all picks between 1999-2009 taken between 21-30 in the first round turned into serviceable NHL players. That’s hardly meaningless when saying those picks are far from certain." Of said 47%, there were few players that could hold a candle to Shea Weber. Quality > Quantity. [Hockey Buzz]
Steve Staios – former member of the inaugural Atlanta Thrashers roster – has retired and subsequently accepted a position with the front office of the Toronto Maple Leafs: “I am very excited about joining the Toronto Maple Leafs management team.” [Toronto Sun]
Jonathan Willis makes the argument that the NHL should have an independent disciplinary appeals board: "At this point it seems likely that the players will be giving monetary concessions to the league; given that, there’s no reason for them not to push as hard as possible on other fronts – particularly fronts like player discipline, which for far too long has been the near-exclusive domain of the league and its owners." [Edmonton Journal]
Rob Brown talks with Justin Bourne of Backhand Shelf on his fight with Sylvain Lefebre coined the "Down Goes Brown" moniker. [Backhand Shelf]
And finally, the evolution of EA Sports NHL series (especially appealing to geeks like me). [Backhand Shelf]
