It’s finally Jets gameday!

Yes, we know it’s just the pre-season and we’ll officially be sick of pre-season games in about seven days or less, but for now let’s just enjoy the fact that we have some NHL(ish) quality hockey to look forward to watching from Edmonton tonight where the Jets will send a roster of mostly AHL level players to take on the Oilers.

Tonight is the first of three games this week, the Jets will be at home against Minnesota on Wednesday and against the St. Louis Blues on Friday night.

Minnesota Wild – Signed D Jared Spurgeon to a seven-year, $53.025 million contract extension.

Washington Capitals – NHL suspended C Evgeny Kuznetsov three games for for inappropriate conduct.

Boston Bruins – Re-signed D Charlie McAvoy to a three-year, $14.7 million contract.

Calgary Flames – Re-signed LW Andrew Mangiapane to a one-year, two-way contract worth $715,000.

Winnipeg ICE – 2 (McClennon, Smallwood)
Saskatoon Blades – 6 (McNabb [2], Keen, Malchuk, McKay, Schmidt)

A couple of fantastic articles from Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck who profiled Jets goalie Eric Comrie – who will be tonight’s starter in Edmonton – and a feature on some of the “bubble” players on the Jets including Mark Letestu, Anthony Bitetto and Gabriel Bourque

Jets’ Comrie looking for tranquillity ahead of preseason start – Winnipeg Sun

BILLECK: Fresh starts excite Jets’ vets on the bubble – Winnipeg Sun

Taylor Allen of the Freep has an article on Dmitry Kulikov who suddenly may have a bigger role with the team due to departures on the Jets’ blue-line and an absence of Dustin Byfuglien.

Kulikov has key role in Jets’ campaign – Winnipeg Free Press

Illegal Curve as always has great audio from Paul Maurice who gave his thoughts on a wide variety of topics.

Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice scrum on Day 3 of Training Camp – Illegal Curve

Here is your roster headed to Edmonton to take on the Oilers in the first game of the Pre-Season…

Regarding pre-season lineups, a little known provision in the CBA requires clubs to make sure at least eight “veteran” players are dressed for each game. There are a couple of reasons for this, but from a fan’s perspective it helps make sure a team doesn’t get away with just sending a bunch of rookies and AHL players on the road, thus robbing fans of seeing a competitive NHL game. @AavcoCup did a nice little breakdown of who qualifies for the Jets in that department.

MoneyPuck.com came out with it’s playoff odds. Winnipeg is at 52.62% to start the season which isn’t great, but it’s also better than being below 50% right?

Lastly, we’re very much here for the “give Adam Lowry better wingers and see what he does on the second line” argument…