Jets’ young guns get a shot with stars

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This article was published 25/09/2017 (2909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets rolled out an intriguing top six for Monday night’s pre-season game against the Calgary Flames.

Kyle Connor played on a line with captain Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, while Nic Petan centred a trio including Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. For Connor and Petan, it presented a golden opportunity to showcase their skills as they try to crack the team’s opening-day roster.

“I think anyone would want to play in that position. At the same time, I don’t think my game changes as far as paying attention to the defensive game,” Petan said following the morning skate.

“For me, just play my game, use my speed. It’s a good opportunity to play with these guys,” Connor said.

Feeling the pain

An intense, compact training camp has taken a bit of a toll on the Jets.

Head coach Paul Maurice said several players are dealing with bumps and bruises, although none of the injuries are considered serious. Those feeling some pain right now include Bryan Little, Joel Armia, Matt Hendricks and Tyler Myers. The four skated Monday morning in a separate, smaller group apart from those who dressed for the game.

Any hint of a hurting Myers will have Jets fans likely thinking the worst after the lanky blue-liner missed all but 11 games of the 2016-17 campaign. But Maurice said there’s no reason for alarm.

“I’m looking to move those guys into main groups, hopefully some of them (today),” Maurice said. “So that group was just tested out (Monday) and hopefully we get the green light on all of them.”

Look at Lipon

JC Lipon is making the most of his opportunities, as a strong showing Saturday in Edmonton earned him another look in Monday night’s game. And Lipon was a physical force once again, engaging in a spirited first-period scrap with Calgary’s Ryan Lomberg.

“He’s had a couple opportunities and his effort was right on Saturday. He deserved to get back in another exhibition game,” Maurice said. “For all of those young men, it is… can you do it again?”

A lighter load

Shawn Matthias is coming off an injury-plagued season and made a concerted effort this past summer to get lighter on his skates. Maurice said it’s showing in the forward’s game so far.

“He’s taken a lot of mass off. He’s quite a bit lighter by design. He wanted to get faster. And he is faster. I kind of know where Shawn is at with his game, so we’ve moved him around with different centres. But he looks real quick,” he said.

To the farm

Five players cut by the Jets Sunday passed through waivers Monday. Goalie Michael Hutchinson, defencemen Julian Melchiori and Cam Schilling, and forwards Buddy Robinson and Mike Sgarbossa could have all been claimed by other NHL teams, but will now report directly to the Manitoba Moose.

Green-er pastures

The Jets locked up another prospect on Monday, signing defenceman Luke Green to a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual value of US$846,700. Green, 19, was a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. He spent last season with Saint John and Sherbrooke of the QMJHL, putting up five goals and 32 assists in 60 games. He also joined the Manitoba Moose near the end of last season, registering an assist in four games. 

Green played in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, B.C., earlier this month and suffered an injury expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. He’ll resume his junior career with Sherbrooke once healthy. 

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca