<h2>Connor Hellebuyck earns second career vezina trophy</h2>Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has won the 2024 Vezina Trophy - an honour bestowed upon the NHL's top goaltender, as voted on by the general managers of all 32 NHL teams at the end of the regular season.Hellebuyck took 31 of 32 first place votes while receiving one second place vote. Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and Florida Panthers veteran Sergei Bobrovsky were the other two finalists.Hellebuyck had one of the best seasons of his career, rocking a .921 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average through 60 games in the regular season - his best numbers since his 2019-20 Vezina winning season.“Helle” also took home the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals during the regular season. A usual shared award with the backup goaltender was won solely by Hellebuyck, as Laurent Brossoit didn’t reach the threshold of 25 games played.&nbsp;The reason for that is simple: Hellebuyck is a workhorse.&nbsp;Hellebuyck has played in at least 60 games in each of the last three seasons. This season he allowed three or fewer goals in a ridiculous 50 of his 60 total appearances, including a pair of 10-game streaks with two or fewer allowed, something that hasn't happened since the 1943-44 season.&nbsp;Hellebuyck was the first Vezina Winner in Jets/Thrashers history when he won the prize in 2020. He now joins Bobrovsky as the only active netminders with two.&nbsp;Despite a rough postseason with a .870 save percentage and a 5.23 goals against average, this is a nice reminder of how dominant the now 31-year-old backstop can be against the best in the world.&nbsp;Hellebuyck also took home Hart votes – an award given to the NHL's MVP – finishing sixth in voting behind the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Artemi Panarin.Last offseason, Hellebuyck signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension with the Jets, which has a no-movement clause through the first three years of the deal, and a modified no-trade clause through the last four.

Jets' Hellebuyck Wins 2024 Vezina Trophy with Near-Unanimous Vote

<h2>Winnipeg Jets free agency countdown: Forward edition&nbsp;</h2>Many conclusions can be drawn from the Winnipeg Jets’ 2023-2024 calendar year.The National Hockey League’s fourth-best team in the regular season finished with an exceptional 52-24-6 record (110 points); they led the entire NHL with the least number of goals against (199) over the 82-game calendar, and Connor Hellebuyck once again proved to the hockey world he is one of the best netminders in the league, posting stellar numbers across 60 starts. Still, the biggest conclusion from this season was that the Jets weren’t good enough; they once again proved that when the stakes were the highest — in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — they will falter at the hands of expectation.The team that was thought so highly of in the regular season for having one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL ultimately got exposed in the playoffs when the team’s scoring virtually disappeared after tallying seven goals in Game 1.&nbsp;Once Winnipeg ended up on the wrong side of the handshake line against the Colorado Avalanche, it was clear to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff that the current roster could use some upgrades.With the NHL’s free agent signing period beginning on July 1st, paired with the Jets' need of shaking up their forward group this offseason, the opportunity is now to preview Winnipeg’s free agency situation. Game On's Massimo De Luca-Taronno assesses Winnipeg's needs up-front and examines potential fits through signings, and if need be, trades. Taking care of business firstBefore looking to pursue players on the free agent market, Winnipeg needs to ensure business is taken care of with its own free agents.UFAs and RFAs: David Gustafsson (RFA), Sean Monahan (UFA), Cole Perfetti (RFA), and Tyler Toffoli (UFA)The Jets have two restricted free agents to sign this summer: David Gustafsson (24) and Cole Perfetti (22). Although both players are headed towards very different trajectories in their NHL careers, they will both likely be signed to “bridge” deals on their next contract.Having missed significant time this season with a lower-body injury, Gustafsson has struggled to even crack the Jets’ lineup when healthy. The current logjam of forwards in Winnipeg's bottom-six has certainly made it difficult for the 2018 second-round draft pick to establish himself as a full-time player in the lineup. In the past two seasons, the Swedish forward has played only 85 games with Winnipeg, posting 13 points in that span, albeit while playing fourth-line minutes. The Jets do value him for his solid defensive game and penalty-killing abilities, which is why he played in four post-season games against the Avalanche. He should most likely be inked to a two-year deal in the $1 million AAV range.Now, compared to Gustafsson, Perfetti is a more complicated discussion. Playing in a top-six role for most of the 2023-2024 campaign, Perfetti’s season was filled with both dominant and dry spells. The Whitby, ON. product experienced the highs of an eight-game point streak and a five-game goal streak, along with the lows of a 23-game goalless streak and a 15-game pointless streak.&nbsp;The inconsistencies of the Jets’ 2020 10th overall pick took him from the second line to the fourth line and then eventually the press box, serving as a healthy scratch for a number of games during the regular season and the playoffs (only playing in Game 5). Although Perfetti appeared to have handled the healthy scratches with a mature attitude, there is no doubt some of Perfetti’s confidence took a hit. Moving forward, Cheveldayoff and newly-hired head coach Scott Arniel know that for Perfetti to translate into the player they know he is capable of becoming, he needs to play in a top-six role. That said, with the inconsistencies of this past season and injuries the season prior, it’s more than likely the 22-year-old will be signed to a two-year deal in the range of $3 million annually.Signing Perfetti is certainly a priority for Winnipeg, but there is less of a time crunch with him compared to the two UFAs on this list: Sean Monahan (29) and Tyler Toffoli (32).Ever since Sean Monahan was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Jets for a pair of draft picks in February, Winnipeg had finally found a seamless fit for its second-line centre slot. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound centre from Brampton, ON. racked up 24 points in 34 games for the Jets this season while also playing a crucial role in improving the team’s less-than-average powerplay. But points aside, Monahan also plays the style of game that Winnipeg had strived to play this past season — offensively potent but defensively responsible. With the Jets now trending as a more defensively positive team compared to prior years, it is crucial for them to retain a player like Monahan who not only fulfills that positional need at centre but also plays that two-way game they’re looking for.It’s been reported by multiple NHL insiders, such as Elliotte Friedman, Darren Dreger, and Chris Johnston, that the Jets are currently working on re-signing Monahan, which is a good sign for Jets fans to be optimistic. As for what a contract may look like, it would only be pure speculation, but a salary coming in at around the $4.5-5 million range seems fair if there is reasonable term involved.As for what the Jets’ plans are for Toffoli, it appears the highly sought-after piece they acquired on deadline day will be testing the free-agent market. With Winnipeg only having a projected salary cap of $8.7 million this offseason after signing defenceman Dylan Demelo, the Jets only have so much money to go around. It is likely that, at the time of making the trade in March, Cheveldayoff knew Toffoli would strictly be a rental to his club for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although it hurts to see a yearly 30-plus goal scorer leave town, Toffoli could be demanding north of $5 million a year, and for a second-line winger who struggled with speed and to consistently produce offence in the Jets’ lineup, that’s simply too rich.&nbsp;Upgrading The FrontlinesBased on their performance against the Avalanche in the playoffs, the Jets showed that their current roster construction can not keep up with the pace of playoff hockey. Through all five games, Colorado was faster, more aggressive, and imposed its will on Winnipeg. If they want to improve upfront, the Jets should be looking to get bigger and quicker, as these are two qualities featured on every Stanley Cup-winning team. That said, if Winnipeg wishes to upgrade its roster by way of free agency, it will need to shed some cap.&nbsp;$8.7 million in cap space minus the money headed toward Perfetti and possibly Monahan if he chooses to re-up in Manitoba, all of a sudden, there's no more wiggle room to work with. Chevy will have some different options on how he can create some cap room; however, if the Jets explore the trade route, one forward immediately comes to mind.&nbsp;Coming over to the Jets last offseason in the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings, 30-year-old Alex Iafallo could be a piece Winnipeg looks to move on from to create cap flexibility. Iafallo is a productive middle-six forward, possessing an elite defensive mind while also chipping in a bit of offence, however, the way the Jets utilized him this season makes him a tradeable asset.Outside of being promoted to a top-six role when injuries plagued the Jets for portions of the season, Iafallo spent most of his time on the fourth line. He was certainly effective in that role, but with a glaring annual cap hit of $4 million, he is certainly a more expendable piece.UFA Targets: Daniel Sprong, Chandler Stephenson, and Yakov TreninDaniel Sprong has been quite the journeyman so far in the NHL, already playing for five different clubs: the Penguins, Ducks, Capitals, Kraken, and Red Wings. Now in the prime of his career at 27-years-old, Sprong is a player who’s only come under the radar within the past two years, putting up back-to-back 40-plus point seasons. In the 2022-2023 season, the right-shot forward had what was, by all accounts, a breakout season, collecting 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points (his previous best was 20 points in 2020-2021), and then he followed up those career-best numbers with 43 points in Detroit this past season.Arguably the most impressive aspect of Sprong’s recent success, however, is that he’s posted these productive numbers while averaging less than 12 minutes of ice time in both campaigns. Sprong is an excellent skater with underrated finishing ability, and if he is given the chance to play a more significant role with additional minutes and consistent powerplay time, he could bode well as a high-value signing. So, if the Jets want to get quicker and deeper upfront, Sprong is a low-risk, high-reward option they should strongly consider come July 1st.If Winnipeg’s pursuit of re-signing Sean Monahan falls through, Chandler Stephenson would be the ideal replacement. Coming off a 51-point season with the Vegas Golden Knights this past season, the 6-foot, 210-pound centre/winger racked up 16 goals and 35 assists in 75 games.Stephenson has speed galore; he’s a pain to play against because he knows how to use his foot speed properly; he closes the gap on defenders quickly on the forecheck; he can make plays; and he also carries an underrated release with him. The Jets saw these skills firsthand two years past in the post-season where Winnipeg lost in the first round to Vegas in just five games. Stephenson’s most valuable asset, however, is his experience. The two-time Stanley Cup champion (Capitals, 2018; Golden Knights, 2023) knows what it takes to win in this league — he’s climbed the mountain twice already and can provide the Jets’ locker room with some valuable mentorship.&nbsp;Given Winnipeg’s track record of landing free agents, or lack thereof, it seems unlikely Stephenson would commit long-term to Winnipeg, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt for Cheveldayoff to do his due diligence by seeing what the market is for a player of that calibre. The price may be high, but if the Jets are aware of Stephenson’s merit, they know he would likely be worth every cent.Yakov Trenin is playoff hockey personified. He’s a big man who plays a heavy, straightforward game. Trenin is exactly what the Jets need more of in their middle-six/bottom-six lineup, and he would fit perfectly on Winnipeg’s checking line with captain Adam Lowry. Playing against the Avalanche in the playoffs, the Jets’ staff would have enviously watched Trenin and how well his game translates to the post-season. He may not put up a lot of points, but he knows how to play the body and apply pressure to the defence with an established forecheck, a big issue the Jets couldn’t properly deal with in the playoffs. Signing a player like Trenin would point Winnipeg in the direction of playing a more playoff-style type of game, something that has been missing in past years.Trade OpportunitiesAs great as it would be for the Jets to take advantage of this year’s deep unrestricted free agent class by adding some pieces to their roster, Winnipeg’s front office is well aware that Manitoba isn’t exactly the most desirable destination for free agents to play in. With this reality comes the precedent that Cheveldayoff and his staff are more likely to address the team’s roster needs via trade.Trade Target: Martin Necas (RFA)&nbsp;Shortly after the Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated by the New York Rangers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Hurricanes forward Martin Necas notified the team that he would like to be dealt out of Carolina.The 25-year-old Czech forward is a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer and will most definitely be looking for a significant raise from his current $3 million cap hit after passing the 20-goal mark in each of the past two seasons and recording a career-high 71 points last season.Among his reports on Necas, LeBrun noted that the Jets have shown significant interest in acquiring Necas’ services. With a top-six spot opening up in the Jets’ lineup with Toffoli headed to the free-agent market, it only made sense that Winnipeg had been connected to the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.&nbsp;The Jets are aware of their difficulty attracting others to come play for them, which is why they highly covet young players under team control, especially a player like Necas, who has elite talent and an extremely high ceiling. Although he needs to tidy up his efforts in the defensive zone, Necas being one of the best skaters in the entire NHL and having an excellent set of hands makes him a great, skilled forward who would fit well in Winnipeg’s group of top-six forwards.However, because players like him don’t come around very often, Carolina’s asking price is more than likely set very high. In a deal for Necas, Winnipeg would likely need to trade back a player on its active roster, a first-round draft pick, and a top prospect. And depending on how free agency shakes out for the Jets, they may be more than willing to pay that price if it means improving their squad.No matter what is on the bingo card for the Winnipeg Jets in this year’s free agency, however, one thing that everyone can agree on is that Cheveldayoff will have his hands full this summer.This was part one of a two-part series. Be sure to read part two of this series, which examines Winnipeg’s free agency outlook for its defence and goaltending.

Winnipeg Jets Free Agency Countdown: Forward Edition 

<h2>FIVE MANITOBANS LISTED IN 2024 NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING'S FINAL RANKINGS.</h2>NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.&nbsp;This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.Game On's Ben Little put together a scouting report on the top listed star on Manitoba's lone WHL club.No. 31. Charlie Elick (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL) Villach, Austria6'4" 203 pounds Defenceman Mid Term Rankings: 28 Final Rankings: 31 Season Stats: 65 GP, 4 G, 23 A, 27 PTS Playoff Stats: 4 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS Former teams: ⁃ Edge School U18 Prep ⁃ Calgary Buffaloes U15 AAA Charlie Elick scouting report:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Strengths:o&nbsp;&nbsp; Physicalityo&nbsp;&nbsp; Skating·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weaknesses:o&nbsp;&nbsp; Offensive decision makingBrandon Wheat Kings defenceman Charlie Elick is a physical, stay at home defenceman, whose style has garnered the attention of most NHL clubs leading into the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.Since being drafted third overall in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, Elick has suited up for 130 games as a Wheat King. He was also selected to team Canada for the World U-17 championships and, most recently, the U-18 club at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup – helping team Canada to a gold medal in an overtime victory over Czechia.The six-foot-four, 203-pound defenceman is notorious for his defensive style of play and next-level physicality that has intimidated opponents for years.Elick’s reliable, stay-at-home defensive style has progressed in his 18-year-old season with the Wheat Kings, where his offensive game has far exceeded his previous two years with the club - doubling his offensive output during the 2023-24 season.Elick is considered by NHL Central Scouting to be a top-five, right-handed defenceman ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft – a position considered a hot commodity by many NHL clubs.“Those right-handed defencemen are coveted,” Wheat Kings general manager and head coach Marty Murray told the CHL. “There’s not a lot of them out there and when one comes along, it’s obviously appealing to not only us at the junior level but at the NHL level as well. He’s that type of player where he can provide an impact in a lot of different areas of the game. I think he really established himself as a player that’s hard to play against. Opposing teams are aware when he’s on the ice and he can lay some punishing body checks.”Elick already possesses the size to make him a next-level defender, projected by many to be a second or third-line defender – and a penalty kill specialist.The Austrian-born defenceman has prioritized puck-handling to improve his game, which was reflected in his offensive output this season with the Wheat Kings, tallying 27 points in 65 games, including three assists in four postseason appearances with the team.Elick has been interviewed by 26 of the 32 NHL teams ahead of draft day. Though his decision-making may be his biggest question mark heading into the draft, he is hopeful to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft.

Counting Down to the Draft - Wheat Kings Spotlight: Charlie Elick

<h2>FIVE MANITOBANS LISTED IN 2024 NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING'S FINAL RANKINGS.</h2>NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.&nbsp;This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set having been revealed over the past few weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft.No. 77. Clarke Caswell (Swift Current Broncos, WHL), Brandon, MB.5’11”&nbsp;170 lbsLeft WingMid Term Rankings: 68Final Rankings: 77&nbsp;&nbsp;Regular Season Stats: GP:68 G:26 A:51 PTS:77 - Playoffs: GP:9 G:2 A:7 PTS:9&nbsp;Former Teams: Pursuit of Excellence U15 Prep, Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U15 Prep, U18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings.Clarke Caswell Scouting report:&nbsp;Strengths:&nbsp;<ul><li>Quick thinking</li><li>Gritty&nbsp;</li><li>Playmaking&nbsp;</li><li>Hockey Sense</li></ul>Weaknesses:&nbsp;<ul><li>Speed</li><li>Size</li></ul>Clarke Caswell is the highest ranked Manitoban amongst North American skaters going into June’s entry draft and it isn't a surprise.&nbsp;Caswell has excelled at every level of his Minor and Junior hockey career. From playing for the Winnipeg Jr. Jets at the Brick Invitational in 2015 to putting up 24 points in just five games at RHA Kelowna in his second year of bantam hockey, to putting up 88 points in just 38 games with the U18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings and being selected sixth overall in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft by the Swift Current Broncos.Caswell is a smaller winger, which in past years may have hurt his stock, but we have seen even smaller players like Johnny Gaudreau, Seth Jarvis, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat thrive in the “new NHL” and Caswell could as well.&nbsp;He is not necessarily fast, but he is quick. He is quick with his mind, feet and body and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. He can generate offensive chances by being sneaky and deceptive with the puck, not giving any hints to what his next move may be.&nbsp;Caswell had a strong season that has kind of flown under the radar. He led his strong Swift Current Broncos team in assists and points.He is a born playmaker with an elite ability to dish the puck wherever he wants it to go. He creates golden chances off the rush. When it comes to playmakers, he may be the best in the class. Although he isn't the fastest, he has the ability to slow defenders down to his level and play the game at his pace when he is on the ice.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Brandon born forward is also great at the other end of the ice. He is strong on puck battles and despite his size he is gritty and gets into the dirty areas of the ice.Caswell thrived on a team filled with Manitobans this year - Josh Filmon (Winnipeg), Rylan Gould (Headingley), Luke Mistelbacher (Steinbach), Conor Geekie (Strathclair), Zach Turner (Boissevain), Owen Pickering (St. Adolphe), Peyton Kettles (Winnipeg), Reid Dyck (Winkler) and Josh Fluker (Boissevain) - and has the upside of a middle-six NHL player.&nbsp;Caswell fell nine spots in the NHL Central Scouting’s draft rankings during the course of the year, but he hasn't shown anything to make him fall. He is still projected to go in the third round, but scouts and draft rankings have him all over the board heading into the June 28/29 spectacle.Stay tuned for the final player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Clarke Caswell

<h2>St. Vital's Dylan McIlrath Does it again</h2>For the second-straight season, Winnipeg product Dylan McIlrath has captained the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears to a Calder Cup championship.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Washington Capitals’ developmental affiliate came out on top in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals, winning 5-4 in overtime against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, clinching back-to-back Calder Cup titles in the process.The back-and-fourth game at Giant Center Arena saw multiple lead changes and momentum switches throughout the game, including Firebirds' blueliner Cale Fleury knotting the game up at fours with 2:55 left to go in the third period. But the Bears stayed resilient and would soon collect the franchise’s 13th Calder Cup championship, with fourth line forward Matt Strome scoring the cup-clinching goal just 1:06 into overtime.“It was never in doubt,” McIlrath said post-game. “I know it sucked losing the lead like that, but we just knew we were going to battle for each other.”The 6-foot-5, 230-pound defenceman certainly didn’t blow up the score sheet in the post-season, only recording 3 assists in 20 playoff games, but that doesn’t diminish the captain’s important role on his Hershey squad.&nbsp;McIlrath - the No. 10 overall selection by the New York Rangers in the 2010 NHL Draft - plays a very physical and simple defensive brand of hockey, which allows his teammates to play more freely in the offensive zone. McIlrath’s defensive awareness around the ice helped him to a plus-5 rating this postseason, and his potent physical game created some big momentum turns throughout Hershey's run to the cup.&nbsp;“We talked about it all year and especially down the stretch here. We are going to need to sacrifice for one another,” the St. Vital product added post-celebration. “We are going to do whatever it takes.”The 32-year-old captain also played a significant role in the success of Hershey’s penalty kill, which posted outstanding numbers throughout the entire year, gathering a success rate of 88 percent in the regular season and 85 percent in the playoffs.After defeating Coachella Valley in seven games (also decided in overtime) last year in the Calder Cup Finals, Bears' head coach Todd Nelson - along with McIlrath - knew they had a strong chance to run it back with an even more improved team.&nbsp;“We had that expectation all year that we were the best, and we had to run it back,” mentioned McIlrath. “It takes a lot of mental toughness to get through that, to be honest, but we got through it.”The Bears finished the regular season with a staggering 53-14-5 record. Hershey’s 111 points on the season were not only the most of any team in the Atlantic Division or Eastern Conference, but the entire AHL. The closest team trailing them was none other than the Firebirds, who closed out the season eight points behind with 103.Despite Hershey’s dominant regular season, the playoffs are always a different animal. The Bears may have been the favourite heading into the post-season, but there are never any guarantees.Hershey defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3-1 and the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-0 comfortably in the first two best-of-five rounds. The Cleveland Monsters, however, gave them a run for their money in the third round, taking Hershey all the way to seven games, before losing 3-2 in overtime.With Hershey once again advancing to the Calder Cup Finals, it set the stage for the ultimate rematch of last year’s finals against Coachella Valley. The Firebirds were at one point up 2-1 in the series, but after that, the Bears grabbed control and never let go, defeating them for the second-straight spring.&nbsp;“It was an amazing year,” said McIlrath. “This group was something special; we knew that from the get-go.”&nbsp;With one more year remaining on his contract, if McIlrath fails to earn a roster spot with the retooling Capitals in the NHL, he will look to add yet another championship for Hershey, because the only thing better than a repeat is a three-peat.

Captain McIlrath Victorious Again

<h2>Assessing the Winnipeg Jets' blueline following the Demelo signing</h2>The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Dylan DeMelo to a four-year $19.6 Million contract extension.&nbsp;&nbsp;The contract carries a salary of $5.5 million for next season, $5 million annually for the following two years, and will conclude with a $4.1 million salary in its final year with an annual average value of $4.9 million.&nbsp;This is the second extension DeMelo has signed with the Jets, the first coming on Oct. 7, 2020, when he signed a four-year $12 million deal with a modified six-team no trade clause (something not on the extension this go around).&nbsp;&nbsp;DeMelo is coming off two career seasons where he has played mostly on the top pair with Josh Morrissey. After being acquired from Ottawa ahead of the 2020 trade deadline for a third-round pick, DeMelo was put in that top pair role right away, but it wasn’t until Rick Bowness’ arrival where DeMelo started to put up numbers.&nbsp;DeMelo’s biggest strength is by no means his offensive game. You will never see him in the headlines for what he does best. DeMelo’s vision, breakout passes and his play in his own zone are what makes him an attractive asset for any team.&nbsp;Despite being only 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds DeMelo can tire out his opponents with his defensive impact without being overly physical. He is one of the game’s best when it comes to working inside his own blue line.There is no guarantee the four-year Jet will continue to provide top tier numbers through the rest of this contract, especially with him being 31 years of age, but nothing is pointing in that direction as of now. Along with his career-high in points, DeMelo led the Jets this season with his +46 rating and 136 blocked shots.&nbsp;What’s Next for Winnipeg’s Blue LineThere are a lot of questions for Winnipeg heading into the offseason and they should be answered rather quickly. With some players wanting out and some players expressing their willingness to stay, it appears to be a confusing time in Manitoba's capital.&nbsp;Winnipeg has five defencemen under contract for next season: Josh Morrisey, Dylan Samberg, Neal Pionk, Nate Schmidt and now DeMelo. Colin Miller and Brendan Dillon look like they are headed to the free agent frenzy on July 1, while Logan Stanley is a restricted free agent.The Jets will need to add at least two more blueliners this offseason, who will be capable of playing tough minutes. Samberg may be ready to play on the second pair alongside Pionk, but Pionk struggled last year, despite playing with the veteran Dillon.&nbsp;Some answers may be within, as Ville Heinola has been knocking at the door for what seems like since his draft season. He has been productive in his small NHL stints, registering one goal and 11 points through 35 career games.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Nate Schmidt buy-out has been rumored since last season and it's starting to make sense. Despite him being one of the best “locker room guys” in the league, Schmidt was more than occasionally healthy scratched while making $5.95 million. The Jets would save $3.2 million against the cap, which would give them room to sign an impact defenceman in free agency, but it will cost $1.6 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season.The Jets' blueline and free agents such as Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli will soon be questions of the past. Until then Kevin Cheveldayoff will have his work cut out for him.

Dylan DeMelo Inks Four-Year Extension with Jets Worth $19.6 Million

<h2>Paul Maurice finally lifts lord stanley's mug </h2>There is a first time for everything.After 26 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, Paul Maurice has finally won the ultimate prize — the Stanley Cup.&nbsp;“I’m usually not lost for words,” Maurice told Scott Van Pelt of Sportscentre in an interview after reaching his lifelong goal. “I’ve been chasing this thing for a while, and it's not like I thought it would be — it’s so much better.”Maurice’s indescribable feeling was well earned. Beginning his coaching career in 1995-96 with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes organization, he’s now coached a grand total of 1,985 games in the NHL. And despite his 938 wins behind the bench, none of them ever led to his team hoisting Lord Stanley’s trophy — that is, until now.On Monday night, Maurice coached his Florida Panthers squad to a Stanley Cup-clinching victory over the Edmonton Oilers, taking the Game 7 thriller at Amerant Bank Arena by a score of 2-1.With yet another Game 7 win under his belt, Maurice boosted his Stanley Cup Playoff Game 7 record to 5-0 and removed himself from the top of the list of most coached games without winning the 131-year-old trophy.&nbsp;But most importantly, he will be known to the Panthers as the man who took the team to its next level, leading them to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.On June 22, 2022, Paul Maurice was hired as the new head coach of the Panthers. It was a questionable decision at the time, as many wondered why Florida management would move on from Andrew Brunette, its interim coach at the time who led them to a Presidents’ Trophy finish.After getting swept by their Florida rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, however, Panthers GM Bill Zito made a bold choice to move in another direction. He hired Maurice, who was contemplating retirement after resigning as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, stating, “This team deserves a new voice in the room.”In his first year, Maurice guided Florida to the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights after hobbling into the post-season with an eighth-place finish. Their luck finally ran out though after Vegas took them down comfortably in five games, winning the clinching game by an astounding 9-3 score.Last year's heartbreak alone was enough to fuel the 57-year-old Sault Ste. Marie, ON. native and his team to return once again, except win it all this year.And that’s exactly what they did.But it didn’t come easy. In fact, Maurice and his Panthers were only one goal away from suffering one of the biggest collapses in NHL history, allowing the Oilers to come back in the series 3-3 after leading 3-0 through the first three games.“We needed to lose three in the finals to learn how to win four,” said Maurice. “And the fact that it was so hard makes it so special.”Maurice told the media post-game his team had gotten away from its game after leading the series 3-0 and needed to start simplifying again.“The word that we used over the last three days was the freedom to play the game,” said Maurice. “What was different about us tonight is that we played with some freedom, we made plays, and we didn't play the game not to make mistakes and certainly not to lose, but we tried to win the game.”The most eye-catching thing the Panthers head coach had to say after capturing Lord Stanley, however, had to do with his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.&nbsp;“If I could have one thing more, it would be for the Winnipeg Jets to win the next Stanley Cup,” Maurice mentioned. Maurice, who coached the Winnipeg Jets for nine seasons (2013-14 to 2021-22), holds the franchise record for games coached (600) and wins (315), already maintains a special connection to the city of Winnipeg, but shouting them out after just winning the Stanley Cup is certainly a classy move by the veteran coach.&nbsp;“The Winnipeg Jets are special in the National Hockey League,” said Maurice. “It’s one of the best franchises in the National Hockey League. Everybody (Manitobans) loves the team; they live and die for them.”&nbsp;Four different franchises; 1,985 games coached; three Stanley Cup Final appearances; now, all that matters is that Paul Maurice is a Stanley Cup Champion.

Winnipeg Jets Former Head Coach Captures First Stanley Cup Title With Panthers

<h2>FIVE MANITOBANS LISTED IN 2024 NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING'S FINAL RANKINGS.</h2>NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.&nbsp;This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set to be revealed in the coming weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft.No. 5 (among North American goaltenders) Dawson Cowan (Spokane Chiefs, WHL), Warren, MB.6’2”187 lbsGoaltenderMid-Term Rankings: 5Final Rankings: 5Season Stats: 43 GP: 18-20-3, .899 SV%, 3.59 GAAFormer Teams: Interlake Lightning U15/U17/U18 AAA, Winnipeg Blues, Winnipeg IceDawson Cowan Scouting report:&nbsp;Strengths:&nbsp;<ul><li>Size&nbsp;</li><li>Positioning&nbsp;</li><li>Strength/Athleticism</li></ul>Weaknesses:&nbsp;<ul><li>Consistency</li></ul>After going undrafted in the 2021 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, Dawson Cowan has made quite the name for himself over the past two seasons, with both the Winnipeg Ice (now Wenatchee Wild) and the Spokane Chiefs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cowan has previously been measured at 6’3” but has been officially measured as 6'2” according to NHL central scouting. Either way, the small-town Warren, Manitoba netminder is a decent size heading into the 2024 NHL Draft with only room to grow.&nbsp;When you watch Cowan, the first thing you notice is how well he covers the net with his size. He has quick feet and strong legs which help him get in position fast, beat the play standing up and it gives him the ability to make the big saves when needed. He never gives up on a play, always battling to keep the puck in front of him.Cowan can be caught by his slow reactions at times and his rebound control is not great, but he is known across the WHL for his big, active glove hand which helps him make some huge saves in key moments of the games.&nbsp;Cowan plays aggressively, always challenging at the top of his crease while maintaining speed to match the speed of the player. His side-to-side movement is effective but not top notch by any means. His athleticism is also off the charts.&nbsp;Cowan is explosive with every play and has great flexibility, something that could make him go earlier than other goalies in the class. He is very strong on in-tight situations around the net finding the puck through chaos and gathers up loose pucks fast (a very underrated ability when looking at goaltenders), and he can handle the puck very well.Cowan put up subpar numbers in the regular season and had an abysmal .847 save percentage through three games in the playoffs, but much like most junior goalies, his not so great numbers do not reflect how good of a goaltender he actually is.The key with Cowan will be finding consistency. He can be shaky at times, while in other situations it is hardly possible to get a puck by him. His tracking is solid but he tends to let in some weak goals more often than he would hope.&nbsp;As is the case with most goalies, his development after the draft will be the X-factor in making an NHL roster. If he continues to grow stronger and further fine-tune the little aspects of his game, Cowan could turn into a legitimate NHL goaltender.The question for Cowan going into June’s entry draft will be when - not if - he is picked. He is one of the more unpredictable goalies in this draft class, and will most likely fall in the later rounds.This video is a great example of Cowan’s compete and recovery. Never giving up on a play and adjusting to previous mistakes. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-A14U8Om1k">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-A14U8Om1k</a> - Western Hockey League (@WHL)One of many examples of Cowan’s great awareness and cross crease mobility. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1706117459244355715">https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1706117459244355715</a> - Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs)&nbsp;Cowan stays square to the shooter(s) while maintaining strength to get across fast and take a goal away from Prince George. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://t.co/OKzOPFBzJR">pic.twitter.com/OKzOPFBzJR</a> - Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs)Stay tuned for the final player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Dawson Cowan 

<h2>Wheat Kings to bid on 2026 memorial cup</h2>On Friday, the Brandon Wheat Kings announced their intent to bid on the holy grail of junior hockey - the CHL Memorial Cup - with plans to host the event in May 2026 at the newly renovated Westoba Place at the beloved Keystone Centre.&nbsp;Last hosted in Saginaw, the Memorial Cup is annually awarded to the champion of the CHL. Brandon now joins the Kelowna Rockets as the lone teams to bid on the 10-day tournament in 2026, but announcements from other WHL teams are expected over the coming days.&nbsp;“Hosting this event would be a tremendous honour for our organization, our city and our province,” team owner Jared Jacobson said. “Brandon, and Manitoba, have a storied history in hockey, and we are excited about the opportunity to showcase our community and province to the entire hockey world.”The Wheat Kings aim to bring this historic event back to Brandon for the first time since 2010, where they lost to a star-studded Windsor Spitfires team led by NHL talent Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique, Ryan Ellis, Cam Fowler and Phillip Grubauer.&nbsp;In 2010, the Keystone Centre proved to be the perfect venue for the popular tournament. Since then, the venue has hosted numerous world class events and has made several improvements to the main arena including a brand-new seating renovation to be finished for the coming season.&nbsp;On the ice, the Wheat Kings will have a strong core of top players and a tremendous amount of depth for the 2025-26 season.&nbsp;“We are very excited with the cycle we are entering as an organization. The timing of the Memorial Cup bid makes sense for us with a strong group of core players that will be established WHL veterans, as well as a deep and talented prospect pool,” said head coach and GM Marty Murray.Projected first round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft Charlie Elick will lead the charge on the back end while top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft Roger McQueen will provide scoring and physicality up front. Most importantly, goaltender Carson Bjarnason will be going into his overage season with the Wheat Kings in 2026 and will provide stability between the pipes, something the Wheat Kings haven’t had in past Memorial Cups.With veterans like Bjarnason and Quinn Mantei mixed with trades and a bundle of young players such as McQueen, Elick, Jaxon Jacobson, Brady Turko, Joby Baumuller, and more first round picks to come, the 2026 Wheat Kings should be a powerhouse once again in the WHL.&nbsp;There is no doubt the Wheat Kings will be strong on the ice, however there may be a larger battle for the Memorial Cup host spot than they think.&nbsp;As of now, Kelowna is the only other team to announce their intent to bid on the 2026 Memorial Cup. In 2020, Kelowna was set to host the Memorial Cup before it was canceled due to the COVID Pandemic. Once again in 2023 Kelowna announced their intent to host the tournament but the honor was given to Kamloops. Now in 2026 the Rockets are doing everything they can to secure their spot as host, including the city setting aside $3.7 million for arena renovations.What looks good for Brandon is the passionate fanbase. The CHL has proven to work better in smaller markets where it can't be overshadowed by another large sports franchise. Despite some questionable attendance since COVID-19 the Wheat Kings still mean a lot to not only Brandon but surrounding rural towns.Since Friday’s press release the Wheat Kings have gained an immense amount of support from fans and some very important people, including Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor of Brandon Jeff Fawcett, and Minister of Sport Glen Simard.

Wheat Kings Set Sights on 2026 CHL Memorial Cup

<h2>Jets crack Top-10 list of pride-oriented clubs</h2>This June, Bet Virginia released a Top-10 LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusive NHL Teams list - And the Winnipeg Jets have come in at eighth place.&nbsp;The list was based on a scoring system created by Bet Virginia, assigning points to teams based on the number of pride posts on Instagram and Twitter, along with the reported LGBTQ2SIA+ safety of each city and state where the teams play.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Jets (117 points) were one of two Canadian teams on the list, with the Ottawa Senators finishing second with 139 points. The Washington Capitals took the top spot with 181 points.&nbsp;The Jets being mentioned on this list is a refreshing reset from what has been a disappointing year in LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusivity for the NHL.&nbsp;Top-10 Pride Inclusivity Rankings:<img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/screen-shot-2024-06-20-at-09.14.36.png">Before the 2023-24 campaign started, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL announced the ban of all specialty jerseys for the season, including Pride, Military Appreciation, and any other specialty night sweaters teams may honour/celebrate.&nbsp;This decision stemmed from many players - including many notable players like Brandon Wheat Kings alum Ivan Provorov - deciding to sit out warmups and not wear the jersey due to different beliefs. Bettman claimed it was a “distraction” from what these nights really represented.&nbsp;Some players were vocally upset, calling it unfair and saying it wasn't the way to go about this issue. But the NHL doubled down.&nbsp;&nbsp;Along with the jerseys, Pride Tape was also banned. Pride Tape became a staple in hockey the past few years, being a big part of Pride Nights around the league. A few lesser-known players such as former Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks forward Kurtis Gabriel wore it on his stick every game.&nbsp;Once again, this decision was met with major backlash from NHL fans and members of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, making national news across North America.&nbsp;Just 72 hours after the tape ban, Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott decided to go against the NHL's ruling and wrapped the top of his stick with Pride Tape. Small protests from players like Dermott along with star players like Connor McDavid speaking out against the decision led to the NHL reversing the Pride Tape ban - making it a personal decision - in October.&nbsp;While the jersey ban is still in place, it is nice to see players and teams support inclusivity of not only the LGBTQ2SIA+ community but also military, Asian Heritage, Indigenous communities and more through special nights/events.&nbsp;Information from: BetVirginia.com <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.betvirginia.com/capitals/pride-month">https://www.betvirginia.com/capitals/pride-month</a>

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