Jets on the runway and ready for takeoff

Late in June of this year it was announced that the Atlanta Thrashers were being sold and moved to Winnipeg in Canada.

The group ‘True North Sports and Entertainment’ announced a deal that was around an estimated $170 million which included a $60 million relocation fee resulting in the Jets playing in the MTS Center with around a 15,000 capacity.

The move makes Atlanta the first city in the modern sports era to lose two professional teams, the Flames to Calgary and now the Thrashers. Emotional goodbyes were expressed at news conferences in Atlanta by co-owner Michael Gearon as he expressed how hard he and others searched for financial stability to keep the franchise alive. With 11 seasons in the NHL and not one postseason win in their history, the Thrashers’ move to Canada can only have a positive impact on their hockey.

When people in Winnipeg heard the news that they would be receiving NHL ice hockey again they were very pleased, and many people hit the streets wearing the Jets’ blue and white colours.

The NHL will not tamper with the divisional structure for next season meaning the Jets will play as Atlanta did in the Southeast division along with Washington, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Florida. Winnipeg will fight for a playoff spot by finishing in the top eight in the Eastern Conference.

The majority of the Jet’s roster is obviously made up of ex-Thrashers but with Winnipeg entering the 2011 draft, they have made additions from that and have also made a few trades. A noticeable addition to the Jet’s roster was that of Washington Capital Eric Fehr. In return the Caps received a 2012 fourth round pick and prospect Danick Pacquette. The 25 year old Canadian right winger brings 230 NHL appearances and 93 points to Winnipeg which they will see as a great addition in both talent and experience.

With a competitive roster, a stadium to play in and a new kit just revealed, the Jets are now on the runway and ready to takeoff.  Today saw the unveiling of their shirts for the 2011-12 season, which are white and blue in colour with the Jets’ logo looking like a target bang in the centre of the shirt. The navy blue colour on the home jersey represents colours found on many of the Canadian’s air force planes, all being relevant to the franchise name, the Jets.

Defender Mark Stuart, Captain Andrew Ladd, new boy Eric Fehr and goaltender Nik Antropov all posed for pictures in the new strip stood next to a Hercules aircraft held at 17 wing in Winnipeg.

So, the Jets players are ready and so are the excited people of Winnipeg, but what does this season have in store for them? The roster does boast a bit of experience but the Jets are definitely missing that star man who will guarantee you 70-80+ points a season. However, they do have captain Andrew Ladd who can definitely bag more than 50 points in a season and Dustin Byfuglien who similarly is capable of 50 points. If these two fire and others chip in around them I feel the Jets can easily be competitive at the very least in the NHL.

The players are around new surroundings with new additions in the team which is why fans shouldn’t be expecting too much too early from the Jets in their first season. Winnipeg start their quest at the MTS Center welcoming fellow Canadians Montreal. It will be a tough start but a game that many will feel Winnipeg can definitely win.