In the Cold of Winnipeg
 

BREAKING NEWS! The Winnipeg Jets decide to clean up their front office. With the exception of a few scouts, the firings are massive. Unknown entity, GM Cloutier is brought in and has decided to assume the coaching duties as well. In a brief statement, he mentioned that the best way to build a team his way was to ensure that the right players were used in the right situations.

The next few days will see the beginning of roster moves although it is being said that elements that are currently on the team will be tested before a decisions are made. A full interview will occur after the staff is rounded up.

The team will be young and have a more offensive flavor. The focus will be on the best player available for the situation regardless of from where the player is from.

Players we suspect will be part of the core of this team are Hellebuyck, Byfuglien, Myers, Trouba, Conner, Ehlers, Scheifele, Laine, and Wheeler.

More to follow.

The Roster Moves Begin
 

GM Cloutier has conducted two trades today:

The Anaheim Ducks, unable to settle on a contracted with their restricted free agent defenseman Hampus Lindholm have dealt him to the Jets. Going the other way are 19 year old center prospect Jack Roslovic, in the first year of his entry level deal, Right Wing Joel Armia, and a pick.

"Our team this year will most likely struggle to put the puck in this season. We will need to build that depth over time. Until then having a good back end will allow us to keep games tight and within range."

In a separate move, the Jets were able to add common rumor mill resident Tomas Plekanec from Montreal in exchange for grit and a francophone with a scoring touch. Mathieu Perreault, Mark Stuart, and Chris Thorburn headed the other way as well as a pick and unsigned center prospect Jansen Harkins.

"Having grown up in Montreal, I know what I am getting in return. Some might say that the price was steep. He will add scoring as well as that great defensive acumen to balance us down the middle."

In the few days that followed two defensive pillars were signed to important deals.

Jacob Trouba was signed to a four year deal at $6.75 million per season while Lindholm would sign for $5.11 million per year on a deal that will span five seasons.

The team is rounding up.

As the opening lineup for the preseason is announced, GM Cloutier sat down to answer a few questions.

What would you say is the strength of this team?
Currently it is defence and the promise of offence in the future. I expect this year to be a low scoring affair but we will do what we can to be entertaining.

There is a good mix of veterans and youth on the team in all places but in front of the net. Do you think that goaltending will suffer because of this?
Not really. I think it will be growing pains all around and it is up to us to thrive through adversity.

Do you anticipate being a buyer or a seller come the trade deadline?
Game one has not even been played. There is no way to think about that now. We do have some veterans on the team, they may come on the market should they be able to bring in some more youth and future.

Rumors are that some of the names are already on the trade block such as Enstrom, Matthias, and Stafford. Do you fear going too young too fast?
I don't think anyone expects the cup in the next couple of years. I think youth bring excitement and entertainment. You need to be putting on a good show if you're not going to be bringing in good numbers in the win column.

As training camp opens, the GM and coach shared his opening lineup so far:

Ehlers - Plekanec - Laine
Conner - Little - Wheeler
Burmitsov - Scheifele - Stafford
Matthias - Lowry - Lipon

Lindholm - Byfuglien
Enstrom - Myers
Potsma - Trouba

Hellebyuck - Hutchinson

Getting Ready for Game One
 

After going 3-2-2 in the preseason, Winnipeg picked up two players off of the waivers, and needing to get under the salary cap, a trade which led to a slightly modified opening game lineup.

On the waivers GM Cloutier picked up Dimitrij Jaskins and Brett Connolly.

Defenseman Tobias Enstrom was traded along with unsigned prospect Erik Foley for Braydon Coburn.

The opening lineup is as follows:

Ehlers - Plekanec - Laine
Conner - Little - Wheeler
Burmitsov - Scheifele - Connolly
Matthias - Lowry - Stafford

Lindholm - Byfuglien
Trouba - Myers
Coburn - Potsma

Hellebyuck - Hutchinson

They play against the Hurricanes in Winnipeg.

What did you do with Burmistrov? Already in Arizona in your save?