Altitude Check: Winnipeg Jets news and notes for Thursday, June 15, 2017

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]