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 Wednesday, July 4 2012:
BREAKING: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have agreed to contracts with the Minnesota Wild. As per Elliotte Friedman, both players have signed matching 13 year 98MM contracts. [Twitter]
Here’s Olli Jokinen on becoming a member of the Winnipeg Jets: “At the end of the day it was a decision where I thought Winnipeg was a better fit for me than the two other teams. The more I was thinking and talking with my agent we came to the decision that at this time in my career it’s the best situation for me. I can go to a place and help a team hopefully take that next step and at the same time I can be part of something good. There’s a lot of good young guys and so as an older guy it gives you energy, it gives you excitement.” [WFP]
More Jokinen coverage. [Winnipeg Sun]
Alexei Ponikarovsky tells fans what they can expect from his game: “I get on the forecheck, finish my check and I’m a big body who can score some goals and create some opportunities for my linemates and use the big body up front. I can kill penalties, I can play on the power play. I can be useful in any situation. Every game, every night I’m trying to bring my best effort.” [WFP]
The Jets also re-upped defenseman Derek Meech and forward Jason King, both of whom spent last year in St. John’s of the AHL. [IceCaps.com]
Tanner Glass explains why re-signing in Winnipeg just didn’t work out: “I thought we had a deal done before I went on my trip to India (in April). But talking after I got back the numbers were a lot lower than the market dictated. It took a long time to get anywhere close to where I ended up now.” [WFP]
Ken Wiebe explores the possibility of Alexander Semin coming to Winnipeg: “Semin is a pure goal scorer with one of the deadliest shots in the game. Outside of his rookie season, the lowest goal total the seven-year NHL veteran has produced was 21, which came last season. However, Semin also has seasons of 28, 40, 34, 26 and 38 goals, so when he brings his A-game, he can be a game-changer.” [Winnipeg Sun]
Gary Lawless explains why WInnipeg is a "no-go zone" for many NHLers. [WFP]
Scary news in Owen Sound, ON when former Winnipeg Jet Brett MacLean went into cardiac arrest Monday night, as confirmed by Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney: “Brett was playing hockey last night when he suffered a medical emergency. Brett received CPR on site and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance where he was treated. He was then transported via an air ambulance to Knight University Hospital in London, Ontario where he was admitted to the cardiac ICU. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brett and his family. We request that everyone please respect their privacy at this time. We will provide an update on Brett’s status when information is available.” MacLean is only 23 years old. [TSN]
The Illegal Curve offers their potential line combinations for the start of the 2012-13 season, which include Spencer Machacek (!?) featured on the first line. [Illegal Curve]
Monday night, The Michigan Daily came out with an article citing that the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) offered defenseman Jacob Trouba remuneration in the amount of $200,000 to play for them next season. Team president Steve Bienkowski fired back yesterday, stating the club is seeking legal reprimand against the paper. [Yahoo! Sports]
Meanwhile, Trouba's parents also deny that any kind of deal ever existed between Jacob and the Rangers: "There is absolutely no truth or merit to the recent media reports that the Kitchener Rangers have offered Jacob any remuneration. We have the utmost respect for the Kitchener Rangers and those that choose the CHL as an option, but Jacob will be attending the University of Michigan next fall as a student athlete." [United States of Hockey]
Former University of Alaska-Anchorage forward Justin Bourne talks a bit about the disparity between the NCAA, CHL and the temptation of straight cash, homie. [Backhand Shelf]
Matt Eichel offers his opinion on why GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was smart to slow play day one of free agency: "For the Jets brass, changing the identity is key as they will want to further distance themselves from being an organization that was built by another GM in Atlanta and becoming more and more ingrained as the Winnipeg Jets. Again, the Jets are doing things the Chevy way – thus patience is key." [Jets All Out]
Video in which Zach Parise gets stopped coming out of a Minneapolis airport and asked questions pertaining to his free agency. [Puck Daddy]
Meanwhile, others followed the up-to-the-minute travels of Mike Ilitch and Detroit Red Wings management as they were in Madison, WI yesterday, making their pitch to Ryan Suter. [Malik Report]
There was one big signing yesterday as Jaromir Jagr signed a 1 year 4.5MM deal with the Dallas Stars — the first Western Conference team he’ll suit up for. [SB Nation]
Our pals at Defending Big D offer their thoughts on the Jagr signing: "This is certainly one of the strangest and potentially incredibly exciting contracts the Stars could have possibly given out. Jagr has the potential to be another dynamic forward for the Stars, who have added significant offensive firepower this summer — even if that firepower comes in the form of two of the oldest players in the NHL. It's pretty clear at this point that the Stars are squarely focused on the future of this franchise — but are absolutely committed to turning this is into a playoff team in the meantime." [Defending Big D]
Erik Johnson also re-signed for 4 years at 3.5MM with the Colorado Avalanche. Our SB Nation pals at Mile High Hockey chime in: “The signing comes as no surprise, but it’s good to see it in the books. The cap-friendly hit of $3.75 million per year is certainly a great deal on the Avs’ part and is most likely due to the 24-year-old still trying to live up to the promise of being selected so high. However, one might speculate that this deal, along with that made by Matt Duchene ($3.5 million), might indicate a promise by the Avalanche to bring in the types of guys that will allow the young stars to flourish in their roles.” [Mile High Hockey]
Bryce Salvador signed a new 3 year deal with the New Jersey Devils at 3.16MM per year. [SB Nation]
Finally, check out this cool time lapse video of the dismantling of The House that Mario Built, better known as The Igloo. [Puck Daddy]
