From: kdc@ccu.umanitoba.ca ()
Subject: Jets ability to sign players surprises NHL (Winnipeg Free Press)
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 22:36:11 GMT

 
Scott Taylor's column in today's FreeP may be of interest to Jets fans and
may (though not likely) help dispel some stereotypes that some people have...
  
Hockey reporter Bob McKenzie approached Winnipeg Jets general manager Mike 
Smith in Florida recently with a problem.
 "I find it interesting, Mike, that a lot of teams can't get their players
  signed and yet you've signed every free agent.  What's the secret?"
  Smith laughed.
  It seems the rest of the NHL is starting to notice something and chances
are they don't like it.
   "For a long time, we've played with this myth that players don't like to play
in Winnipeg" Smith said in an interview yesterday.
 "Its still hard for us to put that notion to rest, but from my discussions
 with other gms, I think people are starting to understand that it's a
 ridiculous, absurd belief."
 For years, former GM John Ferguson, Jets' president Barry Shenkarow and Smith
have maintained playing in Winnipeg has never been a problem enticing players.
Money is always a problem for the Jets, but it never stood in the way when it
comes to signing players who "deserve" the cash.  Still, nobody believed them
Especially many of the Jets own fans.
  But in the last 6 months, the rest of the NHL has taken notice.  While
Edmonton failed to sign Damphousse, while New Jersey never did get Sean Burke
signed after 18 months and while wealthy New York Rangers continue to 
negotiate with John Vanbiesbrouck and Mike Richter, the tiny, poor Jets have
signed every free agent and are now turning their efforts to option-year players

   Something about this doesn't compute.  Hockey players are supposed to hate
playing in small, Canadian markets that aren't recognized as philanthropic -
especially Winnipeg and Quebec.  At least that's what we've been told since
1979.
  Smith is tired of it. "This franchise is very stable. We have 13 players
under contract for 3 years (Tabaracci, Numminen, Ulanov, Housley, Olausson,
 Bautin, Tkachuk, Shannon, Davydov, Zhamnov, Eagles, Murray and Selanne)
and that's a good nucleus.  We have 3 more (Kerr, Steen & Kennedy) under
contract for two.  Carlyle has signed an option year contract while Olczyk,
Lalor, Essensa & Elynuik still have to decide whether or not they"ll play 
out their options, go to arbitration or sign new deals.
  "Our payroll has jumped like everybody else's.  Last year we started
 around $6 million and this year we'll be about $9.8 million - counting
both major and minor league contracts.  That still keeps us below the
middle of the league."
  "Agents keep telling me that money is the only thing that's important,
but that's not why these playersare playing in Winnipeg."
  "I'm convinced that money is fourth."
 No.1  a professional hockey player wants to play in a situation that gives
     him a chance to be a successful athlete.  Christian Ruutu didn't want 
     out of Winnipeg because of the city or the money.  He wanted out because
     he was going to be out 6th or 7th centre man.
 No.2   all pro athletes want to win and the players here are starting to 
      believe this team has a chance to win.
 No.3  everybody - not just the athletes but everybody - wants a comfortable
      quality of life for themselves and their families.   The city and the
      JETS organization do everything possible to provide that.
  Then, No.4 comes a fair wage.
 
  "What we really have going for us, is people LIKE playing in Winnipeg."
 
-------------------------
  Ken D.    U of Manitoba