The Jets may have taken their “most important step ... towards their second go-round with the NHL” by signing LW Andrew Ladd to a “long-term commitment” on Tuesday, according to David Shoalts of the GLOBE & MAIL. In Ladd, the Jets have locked up a player who is “eager to sell the team and the city to current and prospective teammates.” Image is a “sensitive topic” in Winnipeg, where the perception exists that the city is a “cultural backwater.” Winnipeg “will never be a preferred destination for most NHL free agents, so the team will have to work hard to keep the players it has and attract others.” Jets co-Owner Mark Chipman “plays down the idea that players are reluctant to play in Winnipeg,” but he agreed signing Ladd was “very important.” Chipman: “If you talk to guys who played here, like Kris King or Ed Olczyk or Teemu Selanne, there might be concern about coming here but the concern is generally gone shortly after.” Off the ice, the Jets have “most of their staff in place because" team owner True North Sports & Entertainment already operated the AHL Manitoba Moose. However, fans are “still waiting for Chipman to unveil the new logo, team coulours” and uniforms. While Chipman said that he and his staff "have told Reebok what they are looking for, he was reluctant to say if the red, white and blue colours of the first edition of the Jets will make a comeback." Chipman: "The emphasis is on other colours and maybe the introduction of new colours. But (the uniforms) will be straightforward with a traditional look and feel." Reebok is expected “to have a prototype ready later this month but the new sweaters will not be ready for fans to buy until September.” Meanwhile, Chipman is “in the midst of negotiating local radio and television contracts, with TSN and Rogers Sportsnet thought to be the major bidders on the TV side.” The only “major initiative that will not be in place for the start of the season is a sports bar near the arena which will have video lottery terminals expected to provide $4-million (Canadian) a year for the arena.” Chipman said that the venue “will be up and running some time in 2012” (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/7).
