As we continue hurtling toward the NHL Expansion Draft and NHL Entry Draft, rumours continue to swirl as to who will be here in 2017-18, who will be gone, and what fresh-faced hopeful will be the next in line to have his name called as a first round selection of the Winnipeg Jets. Keep your seatbelts fastened, we’re about to hit Mach 5.
Here’s what’s in the news for Thursday, June 15, 2017:
Winnipeg Jets’ notes:
Are the Winnipeg Jets close to contending for a Stanley Cup? [Jets Nation]
Sportsnet provides their Jets Expansion Draft preview and it’s actually pretty good. [Sportsnet]
Ken Wiebe also delves into the Jets plans come this Sunday. [Winnipeg Sun]
Here are 10 reasons why you should attend the Winnipeg Jets draft party. [Jets.com]
Here’s how Jamie Phillips’ season looked as a member of the Manitoba Moose. [Moose Hockey]
Around the NHL:
The New York Rangers have officially bought out defenceman Dan Girardi. [Blueshirt Banter]
The Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings affiliate) are your 2016-17 Calder Cup Champions and they celebrated their victory with $400 worth of McDonald’s. [WIIM]
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the where/when/how of their Stanley Cup parade. [Pensburgh]
What is the off-season game plan for the Nashville Predators? [TSN]
Look for a decent bump to the NHL’s salary cap as the ceiling will likely raise to $75MM for the 2017-18 season. There is also a possibility it go as high as $77.5MM. [The Athletic]
Finally, could Joffrey Lupul be a buy out casualty of the Toronto Maple Leafs? [PPP]
