Winnipeg | NHL Jets

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Fun with stats! (FYI I rounded down all my percentages)

14,228 is roughly 92% capacity of the arena (seating 15,321 for hockey).

Average attendance in the NHL last year was 17,651. If the Jets sold out every game they would be at roughly 86% of the league average. Fourteen teams had an average seating above that mark. With 32 teams, that means over half (14) teams had below average attendance.

The NHL averaged 97.5% capacity last season, meaning Winnipeg average attendance was roughly 94% of the league average.

What does this mean? On the one hand it's impossible for the Jets to get near the average attendance of the league. On the other hand they have little "wiggle" room, which should come as no surprise to the owners or the fans. If we're going to compare ourselves to other NHL cities, I think Jets fans have an inordinate amount of responsibility for the continued existence of their team, possibly greater than anywhere else.

I never understand when people make this argument. Why does percent capacity have any relevance at all? Should the jets just take 1500 seats out of the building and their attendance problems will be solved? The only number that matters is the number of paying customers.

It’s like saying I have a restaurant that runs at 90% capacity. That sounds great but if you only have three tables, you are probably going out of business.

If you have by far the smallest arena there is no excuse for 1500 empty seats every night.

I do agree that we have more responsibility than other cities because Winnipeg isn’t really a major league market. This is why it annoys me that so many of my middle aged, white collar friends have cancelled their shares in season tickets and are now die hard fans who rarely go to games.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I never understand when people make this argument. Why does percent capacity have any relevance at all? Should the jets just take 1500 seats out of the building and their attendance problems will be solved? The only number that matters is the number of paying customers.

It’s like saying I have a restaurant that runs at 90% capacity. That sounds great but if you only have three tables, you are probably going out of business.

If you have by far the smallest arena there is no excuse for 1500 empty seats every night.

I do agree that we have more responsibility than other cities because Winnipeg isn’t really a major league market. This is why it annoys me that so many of my middle aged, white collar friends have cancelled their shares in season tickets and are now die hard fans who rarely go to games.

For the record, I wasn't making any kind of argument, other than maybe stats can be made to suggest good OR bad news, depending on how they're presented.

I wrote my original comment in response to Wpg_Guy's statement that the Jets had the "second lowest average attendance" in the league last year. Technically correct. However, the team just above the Jets, the Anaheim Ducks, had an average attendance of 15, 670. If the Jets had sold out every single game, they still would have had the second lowest average attendance in the league.

I'm not saying it's good, bad or indifferent. It's just important to put stats in perspective.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Fun with stats! (FYI I rounded down all my percentages)

What does this mean? On the one hand it's impossible for the Jets to get near the average attendance of the league. On the other hand they have little "wiggle" room, which should come as no surprise to the owners or the fans. If we're going to compare ourselves to other NHL cities, I think Jets fans have an inordinate amount of responsibility for the continued existence of their team, possibly greater than anywhere else.

I do not get why Jets fans carry the burden of paying a king's ransom to support a team that missed the playoffs. It's a business. Winnipeg is the smallest NHL market, and a blue collar city. If we can't afford the NHL then the Jets will move. It's not like the city of Winnipeg will collapse, if the Jets move. It happened once in my lifetime, and the city got by fine.

Over the years, I'm becoming less and less sympathetic to pro sports franchises that tend to pull on their heart strings of the community to manipulate the Government into giving teams and their billionaire owners huge tax breaks, and even constructing $1.0 billion arenas subsidized by the taxpayer.

I have heard season ticket holders complain that True North treated them as expendable for a long time, and had the attitude that they should be thankful that they had season tickets at all, when legitimate issues were presented to them.

[BKB]

I never understood why the support of an NHL team should drop when the team doesn't make the playoffs. Every year, 16 teams don't the playoffs. We won the Presidents Trophy last year and still didn't sell out most games.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by BKB

I never understood why the support of an NHL team should drop when the team doesn't make the playoffs. Every year, 16 teams don't the playoffs. We won the Presidents Trophy last year and still didn't sell out most games.

Winnipeg does not sell out games, due to the market threshold being reached several years ago.

[Wpg_Guy]

Potential Jets homecoming in the works for Doan
Talks with club’s 1995 draft first-rounder could signal hockey operations move
By: Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe
Posted: Monday, Jun. 1, 2026


Ross D. Franklin / The Associated Press files

It’s been confirmed that former Arizona Coyotes hockey captain Shane Doan has been in talks with the Winnipeg Jets for a potential role in the organization.

The Winnipeg Jets are not waiting until July 1 to pursue a prized free agent they believe can help their hockey club.

Talks are underway with Shane Doan, the former player turned NHL executive, about a potential management role with the organization, the Free Press has confirmed.

The 49-year-old Albertan was in town last week meeting with co-owner and chairman Mark Chipman, among others. He also toured the team’s facilities as he weighs his next move.

While nothing is official — sources stressed discussions remain in the exploratory stage — the mutual interest suggests the Jets may be willing to expand their reach and add resources to their hockey operations department following a disappointing season in which they finished 27th overall in the standings.

That would be a bold move for Winnipeg, which has maintained one of the NHL’s smallest and most stable front offices since relocating from Atlanta in 2011.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and his two assistants — Larry Simmons and Craig Heisinger — have held their positions throughout all 15 seasons. It’s a similar story on the player-development side, where Jimmy Roy and Mike Keane have long overseen that area.

That’s a rarity compared to other NHL organizations, both in terms of the loyalty and small size of the overall operation.

Doan could bring both a fresh perspective and an impressive résumé.

He spent the past three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a special advisor to general manager Brad Treliving, who was fired and replaced by John Chayka last month. That led to a mutual parting of ways, as Doan’s contract was set to expire.

The Vancouver Canucks were granted permission to speak with Doan about a position in the hockey operations department in late April, where Ryan Johnson was ultimately chosen as GM and the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, were named co-presidents.

Doan needs little introduction to experienced hockey fans in this market. He made his NHL debut at the old Winnipeg Arena in October 1995, just months after being selected seventh overall by the original Jets. He appeared in 74 games during his rookie season before the franchise relocated to Phoenix.

Doan went on to play 1,466 more NHL games over the next two decades, all with the Coyotes franchise. The long-time captain retired in 2017, and his No. 19 was immediately raised to the rafters later that year. He returned to the organization in 2021 as chief hockey development officer, a role he held for two seasons before joining Toronto.

He’s also well-connected on an international stage, winning five medals as a player (two gold, three silver) at the World Championships along with being a member of Canada’s 2006 Winter Olympic team that finished seventh.

Doan was the GM for the 2022 Canadian Olympic, World Championships and Spengler Cup teams, while also serving as assistant GM for the 2019 Spengler Cup, and 2021 and 2023 World Championships squads.

His son, Josh was drafted 37th overall by the Coyotes in 2021, made his NHL debut two years later and then — much like his father — watched the franchise relocate following his rookie season. He spent the inaugural campaign in Utah before being traded to Buffalo last summer, recording a career-high 52 points in 82 games with the Sabres this season.

Doan also has a minority ownership stake in his former junior team, the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

The Jets declined to comment at this point, and an effort to reach Doan for comment was unsuccessful.

Chipman recently reached out to Jets season ticket-holders with a year-end message saying the recent campaign “did not meet the expectations we set for ourselves, nor those that you rightfully hold for our team.”

“After winning more regular season games than any other team over the past three seasons, including a Presidents’ Trophy just last year, we believed we would continue to build and compete at the highest level. Falling short of the playoffs is difficult to accept — for our players, our employees, our organization and for you, our fans.”

Chipman noted that “improvement is required — and that work is already underway.”

“Our hockey operations team has already begun the process of resetting and preparing for next season,” he wrote.

“I could not ask for a more invested and caring group of professionals. Their commitment to thoughtful roster construction, player development and long-term planning remains steadfast. We are confident in the foundation that is in place and in the decisions that will be made to move our team forward.”

There’s been no action — so far — to back up those words, but the NHL off-season hasn’t officially started with the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights set to battle for the Stanley Cup in a best-of-seven series starting Tuesday night.

However, business should soon start picking up. The Jets are slated to make the eighth-overall selection during the first round of the NHL draft on June 26, with plenty of debate already swirling about whether they’ll add a top young prospect or perhaps move the pick for more immediate help to an aging core in “win now” mode.

NHL free agency begins a few days later on Canada Day. The Jets have plenty of holes to fill either through signings or trades, with a second-line centre and scoring winger being at the top of the list.

Winnipeg is also awaiting a final decision from Jonathan Toews about whether he might return for one more season. Sources say the expectation is he’s leaning towards retirement.

Winnipeg Free Press

[rebl]

With Rogers pulling the plug on CBC's broadcasting rights to HNIC I've decided to part ways with Fido. It's not a lot but my entire family is on Fido (owned by rogers). Frustrating week for canadian hockey fans. F*** Edward Samuel Rogers III. Proud Canadian company my ass.

[The Jabroni]

Originally Posted by rebl

With Rogers pulling the plug on CBC's broadcasting rights to HNIC I've decided to part ways with Fido. It's not a lot but my entire family is on Fido (owned by rogers). Frustrating week for canadian hockey fans. F*** Edward Samuel Rogers III. Proud Canadian company my ass.

Yeah... it's been frustrating, but Bell is no better either.

Telus is another alternative, but they don't have the coverage like the other bigger two companies.

Still, the "lesser" of the two evils would be Bell. If they rescued The Hockey Theme all those years ago from CBC, perhaps they can "rescue" HNIC with to reunite the theme song with the rightful owner with Bell's broadcasting contract rights to CBC.

Wishful thinking obviously.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by rebl

With Rogers pulling the plug on CBC's broadcasting rights to HNIC I've decided to part ways with Fido. It's not a lot but my entire family is on Fido (owned by rogers). Frustrating week for canadian hockey fans. F*** Edward Samuel Rogers III. Proud Canadian company my ass.

Not sure thats a fair statement. They didn't pull the plug so much as were unable to reach an agreement. As far as I can tell there has been no public knowledge of what the negotiations were like so not sure why Rogers is to blame and not CBC? Or the NHL who decided to sell rights to a single partner. There plenty of "blame" to go around.

[BKB]

Originally Posted by cheswick

Not sure thats a fair statement. They didn't pull the plug so much as were unable to reach an agreement. As far as I can tell there has been no public knowledge of what the negotiations were like so not sure why Rogers is to blame and not CBC? Or the NHL who decided to sell rights to a single partner. There plenty of "blame" to go around.

The CBC did not get the ad money from showing the games. I don't think the CBC could be blamed for this.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by BKB

The CBC did not get the ad money from showing the games. I don't think the CBC could be blamed for this.

Under the previously expired agreement, yes. Hows that relevant? There has been no public knowledge of what the negotiations to extend involved. Rogers could have been willing to extend under the same terms and CBC not agreeing. Not sure how "blame" can be assigned where there is zero knowledge of what either party offered.

[bomberjet]

Hockey night in Canada has been a token gesture since rogers took over. Not surprising it's ending altogether. I mean TSN owns the song and has been using it on their broadcasts ffs.

[Malcsta]

https://youtu.be/STzKGUuBrsc?si=CvQbaMNjJFoBT1oD

Amazing pick. Exactly who I wanted. Thought he would go top 5 but Buffalo went off the wall and picked Daxon Rudolph who many thought the Jets would target. Our first blue chip prospect since Perfetti.

I have watched a lot of Viggo. He is a phenomenal player.

https://youtube.com/shorts/sKVRVqn5HNA?si=_eZb0ew_mNFLmFpG

[rebl]

"Unable to reach an agreement" is just corporate spin. A company signs a multi-billion dollar broadcasting deal, dumps their biggest free broadcasting night to monetize it, and then tries to save face. Are we really naive enough to believe CBC was the one blocking the deal here?

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by rebl

"Unable to reach an agreement" is just corporate spin. A company signs a multi-billion dollar broadcasting deal, dumps their biggest free broadcasting night to monetize it, and then tries to save face. Are we really naive enough to believe CBC was the one blocking the deal here?

Rogers controlled all ad revenue on "free" broadcasting. CBC was bringing in $175M a year on ads from HNIC prior to losing rights in 2014. Rogers has to convert probably 100k to 250k viewers from the CBC broadcasts to Sportsnet to break even after losing the CBC broadcast.

CBC on the other hand only was able to advertise for their other programs on HNIC. They received 0 ad revenue. By airing other sports going forward they will have something other than 0 ad revenue. To categorize this as CBC would be insane to walk away and Rogers would be insane to continue completely misses all nuance.

Without being privy to the discussions its all speculation.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Malcsta

https://youtu.be/STzKGUuBrsc?si=CvQbaMNjJFoBT1oD

Amazing pick. Exactly who I wanted. Thought he would go top 5 but Buffalo went off the wall and picked Daxon Rudolph who many thought the Jets would target. Our first blue chip prospect since Perfetti.

I have watched a lot of Viggo. He is a phenomenal player.

https://youtube.com/shorts/sKVRVqn5HNA?si=_eZb0ew_mNFLmFpG

Agreed, he could've very easily gone 3 or 4th overall. I sure like the fact he played w men last year and did very well. undersized but we are seeing more and more having success. I sure hope he can slot in 2C

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by rebl

"Unable to reach an agreement" is just corporate spin. A company signs a multi-billion dollar broadcasting deal, dumps their biggest free broadcasting night to monetize it, and then tries to save face. Are we really naive enough to believe CBC was the one blocking the deal here?

An important carve out of the Rogers national NHL deal that happened after the last CBC deal is the Amazon games. As Rogers is just a Canadian player there is very likely league pressure to make things work for Amazon in Canada so the league can try to make a large international deal with Amazon.

Losing two nights a week might have been too much for Rogers and the return too little from the CBC deal.

[Wpg_Guy]

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