WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The MTS Centre was packed again last night as the Winnipeg Jets played their last preseason game against the Nashville Predators. But despite the fact that there was a football game in Winnipeg the same night the talk of the city was Mark Scheifele.
The rumours that were flying around Winnipeg that Scheifele is now a Winnipeg Jet and will not be returning to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League are in fact just rumour.
The Powerhouse on Portage, aka the MTS Centre, was filled to the rim with media yesterday as it always is after a pre-game skate, and Claude Noel and Scheifele were dodging contract questions.
Noel had this comment for the media, “I love this kid, I really love this kid, look at the stats around the league and he scored again tonight.”
Scheifele did in fact score as his Winnipeg Jets were down 2-1. Scheifele found the back of the net and tied the Predators and helped send the game to a shootout.
Scheifele’s teammates were asked about his play in the pre season and Andrew Ladd, Scheifele’s captain, told the Winnipeg Free Press (WFP), “Eight points in five games, that’s enough for me, but people don’t see what he does away from the puck that helps the team, he is very mature for his age”.
Scheifele himself rang in on contract talks in the WFP, “I don’t know if I made the team, that’s up to the coaches and the front office, I just came here to work my hardest and try and make the roster October 9th, and I am happy with my performance. I did all I could do”.
Rob Hooper who is Scheifele’s agent said talks with the Jets on that front are ongoing but nothing is certain.
Hooper added (WFP), “I have had conversations with Larry Simmons (Assistant to Kevin Cheveldayoff Jets GM), about a contract for Mark and I cannot discuss this further. Mark said he wants to be here and he wants to be a Jet.”
Winnipeg has been under the gun all summer to meet strict deadlines. The club is under pressure to sign Scheifele has there is a Tuesday deadline set by the NHL to have rookies signed or sent back to their respective junior teams.
Only time will tell.
