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On Laine, Roslovic and how quarantines will impact the Jets

December 29, 2020, 9:11 PM ET [156 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Although Patrik Laine’s agents Mike Liut and Andy Scott admitted during the offseason that it probably would be mutually beneficial to both the player and to the team if Laine is traded, the Jets sniper is expected to be in attendance on Jan. 3 when the Jets begin training camp.

“I haven't spoken to him since he's been back," general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "I've been in constant contact with his representatives all the time throughout the long pause or the long off season, I guess, is more the better term.”

You have to believe one of the driving forces behind the Jets trade for Paul Stastny was to give Laine a center that he would be happy to play with.

While Cheveldayoff has yet to flat out confirm or deny any of the Laine rumors, he admits that as always, he explored all options in regards to making the Jets a better hockey team.

“Everybody’s a professional, and certainly I was professional, tried to do my job this summer in looking at all the different options to improve our team and I think we have done that,” he said.

“We’ve had some acquisitions with respect to (Stastny) and obviously even adding players like (Nate) Thompson and (Derek) Forbort from an experience standpoint. As far as Patrik, I assume he’s probably going to have one of the best years of his career given the group of players that we have and the professionalism that is there. And the maturity level that all players gain year over year over year, I think just helps us move forward.”

The trade for Stastny is one that will help Laine and the Jets, adding to a group of forwards loaded with talent.

“Obviously camp is getting started here and we think with some of the acquisitions that we've made, obviously adding [Stastny], we think we've got one of the better, if not one of the best top sixes in the National Hockey League,” Cheveldayoff said.

One forward that won’t be joining the group in Winnipeg on Sunday for the beginning of camp is forward Jack Roslovic, who remains as the Jets lone restricted free agent. Even if the Jets and Roslovic were to agree upon a new extension in the days leading up to camp, quarantine protocols would keep him off the ice to begin camp.

“Obviously, he is an RFA and currently not signed,” said Cheveldayoff. “To my knowledge, he is also currently not in Winnipeg, so moving forward there is going to be a quarantine situation, whenever we come to an agreement.”

Asked about Roslovic on multiple occasions during Tuesday’s zoom, Cheveldayoff made it seem like he has confidence in where things will end up between the two.

“We made our qualifying offers back when everyone made their qualifying offers,” said Cheveldayoff. “And as far as the cadence of a conversation or the contents of a meeting, I've always had the belief and the way I've conducted business and that's been kept private.”

Roslovic is not the only Jets player who is facing potential quarantine issues upon arrival in Winnipeg.

Cole Perfetti and Ville Heinola are in Edmonton representing Canada and Finland respectively in the World Junior Championship. With the gold medal game scheduled for Jan. 5, it could be as late as Jan. 12 before the two can return to the ice after finishing their seven-day quarantine after arriving in Winnipeg.

The Jets season begins on Jan. 14.

With the uncertainty surrounding the CHL and AHL, Heinola’s dominance in Liiga and the added taxi squad for the upcoming season, where the Jets send Perfetti and Heinola have yet to be determined.

“We haven’t assigned anybody anywhere yet because we’re looking at giving everybody an opportunity to come into a camp and really show where they’re at,” Cheveldayoff said. “Those young players, as we’ve seen last year, can certainly surprise you.”

Adding the taxi squad into the mix allows teams to carry between four and six players with them in addition to their regular roster. These players can travel and practice with the team, but are not allowed to partake in any team activities in other leagues such as the AHL, CHL, or leagues outside North America.

"We're in the information gathering stages of those things trying to understand where the American Hockey League might— how to fit in and how it might operate for us this year," said Cheveldayoff.

"The CHL side of it does come into play, when we have a young player like Cole Perfetti coming to camp for the first time. Then just even the European situation, there's so much information that you're taking in and you're compiling."

With less than 10 days after the start of training camp to finalize their opening night roster, every moment on the ice, and even off of it, will be important.
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