It’s a made-for-TV event: the highly anticipated debut of rookie sensation Patrik Laine in a Winnipeg Jets uniform.
But... if Laine does indeed suit up tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, there will be no TV audience to watch it. The pre-season game won’t be on TSN, which will be otherwise occupied a few kilometres away at Investors Group Field, broadcasting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers-Edmonton Eskimos CFL game from coast to coast.
The Jets haven’t confirmed Laine will be in the lineup, but the odds are pretty good after he sat out the first two exhibition games leaving only four to go after tonight’s tilt.