Ehlers, Petan, other survivors breathe sigh of relief

By: Ed Tait Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2015 Last Modified: 9:21 AM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2015 | Updates

NIKOLAJ EHLERS will keep his head down and do the nose-to-the-grindstone thing, just as expected.

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NIKOLAJ EHLERS will keep his head down and do the nose-to-the-grindstone thing, just as expected.

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This article was published 29/09/2015 (3696 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NIKOLAJ EHLERS will keep his head down and do the nose-to-the-grindstone thing, just as expected.

But when a guy gets this close to making an NHL club and fulfilling a lifelong dream, well, excuse him if every day he’s still with the big team doesn’t have a Christmas Eve feel.

“This feels pretty good,” said the right-winger. “It’s always tough with the cuts, and it’s not over yet because there’s still going to be more cuts. But it’s nice to make the next cut, for sure. To be honest, today I didn’t know they were going to make cuts. Of course you’re a little bit nervous about ‘OK, what’s going to happen now? Am I going home or am I going to stay?’

Trevor Hagan / CANADIAN PRESS files
Winnipeg Jets forward hopeful JC Lipon (right) was on edge Sunday night, knowing cuts were coming. — Trevor Hagan / CANADIAN PRESS files Winnipeg Jets forward hopeful JC Lipon (right) was on edge Sunday night, knowing cuts were coming.

“But I’ve been feeling really comfortable with the games I’ve played and the practices. It’s nice to still be here. It’s the dream for every young boy, so being one step closer to making the team feels good. But it’s not over yet.”

Ehlers might not feel ready to unpack just yet, but all signs are pointing to him having earned a spot in the Jets’ Top 9. The Jets are just as enamoured with the work of Nic Petan, who has made the adjustment from prolific point producer as a centre during his days with the Portland Winterhawks — he had 358 points in 252 junior games — to responsible defender with some touch as a winger in the pros.

“Whether I play wing or centre, it doesn’t really matter. I’m just trying to be a playmaker in the league,” said Petan. “I’m playing a simpler game (than in junior)… get pucks out, get pucks in. I’m not always trying to make something on every shift. In junior you’re allowed to do that, but here it’s more of a process. If you get your chance, you get your chance. If you don’t, take your shift and get off and get ready for the next shift.”

Winger JC Lipon was admittedly nervous Sunday night, knowing cuts were likely coming.

“I’m still here, so that’s good,” he said with a grin. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. There’s lots of good players here, but this is definitely where I want to be at. In my first two years of pro I’ve played that scrappy game, and so far it’s been working out for me.”

Forward Thomas Raffl has kept his game simple so far, perhaps providing a hint at his maturity. But he also knows flashing some touch around the net would go a long way to pushing him closer to his NHL dream.

‘I’m still here, so that’s good. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. There’s lots of good players here but this is definitely where I want to be at’

“I’m pretty sure I can score goals now and then, too, and I haven’t been showing that,” he said. “But that’s going to come. I’m focusing on doing the little things right and that’s what is going to get me on the team. All the other things are going to happen by good work.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait