The draft is done, the team is named, the uniform and logo are being worked on. I would think that 95% of the world is happy that the Winnipeg Jets is the name chosen. A lot of history in that name and it would have been a shame to name them anything else..
Free Agent season opened on July 1 and the Jets did not exactly make a splash. Having said that, there really wasn’t anything there to make a splash with. Better to save the cash, see what you have in the fall and move towards next year with the youngsters already in the system. The goaltending is in good hands, the young defence is in great shape and signing a big name forward would have been a waste at this point. Lets face it, Brad Richards would have been an interesting pick up, but in reality, he would have added nothing to the team. One other point to make is that Winnipeg will not be playing in the East in 2012-13. The style of play in the West has some subtle differences, so it is a smart play to stay the course and work towards signing Western style players next year.
The 2 signed so far are decent depth players, which we are lacking and in fact, of all the Canucks in the playoffs, Tanner Glass was one of the few who impressed me. Yes, his type of player is common, and yes, he will never be an all-star, but how many Canadian kids with heart do the Jets have at this point. He will do well on the 4th line and was cheap. Derek Meech is a solid AHL defenceman who is reaching the age where he could easily become a solid NHL player. He is also a hometown guy which is always a plus. He will make the team and will be a decent contributor.
Of the guys that are left, Teemu Selane is an obvious choice. A link to the past could be a path to the future. Signing him is pretty much a no-brainer.
Late Breaking, the Jets have just signed defenceman Randy Jones. He last played with Tampa Bay Lightning, but missed the playoffs with an ankle injury. Another solid, but not spectacular signing.
A Jamie Langenbrunner or John Madden type of veteran would also be a reasonable pick up at this point as a veteran leader and bridge to the future, but only at the right price.
http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=370594
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370720
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