Jets’ Bogosian has screw removed from wrist, now in “full rehab mode”

By Mike HalfordDec 12, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT

If the lockout does end in the not-too-distant future, the timing will be almost perfect for Zach Bogosian.

The Winnipeg defenseman underwent surgery on a wrist ligament tear at the end of August and, last week, had his surgical screw removed — a big step in Bogosian’s return to the ice.

Here’s more, from Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press:

The recovery period from Bogosian’s surgery is four to six months, and if the season were to begin in mid-January, it would be just over the four-month period. Bogosian had a screw removed from his wrist last week and his recovery is said to be on schedule.

The fourth-year defender is in full rehab mode at this juncture and how his wrist responds is being closely monitored.

The third overall pick at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Bogosian is coming off the finest season as a professional. Despite missing 17 games with various ailments, the New York native racked up 5G-25A-30PTS in just 65 contests while averaging a career-high 23:19 TOI per game.

This upcoming season is a huge one for Bogosian — he’s in the final year of a two-year, $5 million deal signed with the Jets prior to the start of 2011-12.

He’s also part of a potentially star-studded 2013 RFA defenseman class that includes Alex Pietrangelo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Kane’s agent on KHL exit: “The coaching was a challenge at times”

By Mike HalfordNov 19, 2012, 1:15 PM EDT

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Evander Kane’s agent has shed some light on his client’s decision to part ways with Dinamo Minsk after just 12 games in the KHL.

“I’ve spoken to Evander and he just found the hockey to be different,” Craig Oster told the Winnipeg Free Press. “The style to be different, the training to be different.

“I think the coaching was a challenge at times.”

It’s not surprising to hear of a possible coaching issue.

After just three games, Dinamo bench boss Kari Heikkila blasted Kane for being out of shape, saying the 21-year-old was “not ready yet to play on KHL level.”

As for the hockey being “different” overseas? Well, that’s a possible explanation for why one of the NHL’s premier young power forwards flopped so badly in Minsk.

Kane finished his brief KHL stint with one goal and no assists in 12 games, and his most noteworthy moment was receiving a one-game suspension for a check to the head of Avangar Omsk defenseman Nikita Pivatski.

To be fair, Kane isn’t the only NHLer that’s had a less than stellar European experience:

— Montreal forward Max Pacioretty left struggling Swiss team Ambri-Piotta after just five games.

— Philly’s Wayne Simmonds bolted Czech club Liberec following an ugly racial incident.

— Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec left his Czech team after posting a 3.50 GAA and .896 save percentage in 14 games.

— Carl Hagelin of the New York Rangers suffered a serious shoulder injury while playing in Sweden.

Oster also suggested the nature of Kane’s contract with Minsk played a role in his departure.

“This arrangement didn’t have a set time limit. It was a month-to-month deal,” Oster explained. “For both sides, it felt like it had run its course.”

Czech media report: Winnipeg’s Pavelec in DUI mess (Updated)

By Mike HalfordJul 16, 2012, 3:29 PM EDT

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According to reports from Czech news outlets Nova and iSport, Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec is involved in a DUI incident in the Czech Republic.

Matias Strozyk of Jatkoaika — a Finnish hockey news site — reports Pavelec has been sentenced to six months of conditional probation and banned from driving for 20 months after a DUI arrest in May.

“Pavelec crashed his BMW M6 into a car that had stopped on a one-way street on the morning of May 26th,” Strozyk tweeted. “BAL [blood alcohol level] of 0.20. About 5k [$5,000] of USD damage.”

According to Mitch Rosset of Global News Winnipeg, the Jets are not commenting on the report.

The Winnipeg Sun has picked up the story and is “investigating the claims.” It should be noted that reports out of the Czech Republic have not been confirmed.

Pavelec, 24, recently signed a five-year, $19.5 million extension with the Jets.

Update: From Puck Daddy’s Sean Leahy, here is Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayhoff’s statement regarding Pavelec.

“At this time True North Sports & Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club are aware of various, yet still inconsistent, internet reports pertaining to Ondrej Pavelec. We, as an organization, are attempting to gather more information and until such time as we are comfortable and have a full understanding of the situation, we will not be issuing any further comment.”

Winnipeg signs Pavelec to five-year, $19.5 million deal

By Mike HalfordJun 25, 2012, 5:03 PM EDT

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According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Winnipeg Jets have signed RFA netminder Ondrej Pavelec to a five-year, $19.5 million deal.

The $3.9 million cap hit represents a large raise over the $1.15 million Pavelec was making, though it’s not surprising Winnipeg made such a big splash.

In June, reports surfaced that a KHL club made Pavelec a “big money” offer for one year (believed to be connecting with any potential NHL work stoppage.)

Pavelec, who is Czech, was said to be considering the offer.

That scuttlebutt appears to be a thing of the past, though, as the 24-year-old will be with Winnipeg for the foreseeable future. A huge move for the Jets, as Pavelec was arguably their MVP a year ago despite rather pedestrian numbers (29-28-9, 2.91 GAA, .906 save percentage.) He was one of the league’s busiest netminders, finishing fifth in shots faced, and was huge down the stretch as the Jets made an improbable playoff push.

The Pavelec deal will likely reverberate through the league. He’s the first of of a young crop of RFA goalies to secure a deal this summer, setting the stage for the likes of Carey Price, Tuukka Rask and Cory Schneider.

Report: NHL scouting Winnipeg for outdoor game

By Mike HalfordFeb 10, 2012, 4:46 PM EDT

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According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the NHL is looking at Winnipeg to potentially host a Heritage Classic outdoor game.

Newspaper sources say the league has contacted Environment Canada for information regarding weather patterns in Winnipeg for January and February (“Awful, with a chance of terrible”), suggesting a reincarnated Heritage Classic could be on the docket for the Manitoba capital, possibly for 2014.

As for location? Investors Group Field — Winnipeg’s currently-under-construction football stadium — is set to open in June 2012 with an estimated capacity of 40,000 (with temporary seating.) While that seating number falls short of the 57,167 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium in 2003 for the Oilers-Canadiens Heritage Classic, it’s not too far off the 41,022 that attended Calgary’s McMahon Stadium for the 2011 Classic between the Habs and Flames.

As mentioned earlier, weather will likely play a key role in Winnipeg’s ability to host. Weather was a major story at the 2011 Classic, as the wind chill in Calgary made the temperature feel like minus-21 degrees Celsius (minus-6 Fahrenheit.)