Scheifele focused on helping Jets win Top centre says he’s open to staying in Winnipeg By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 6:42 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023 Last Modified: 7:34 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023 Updates

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This article was published 21/09/2023 (745 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the record, Mark Scheifele hasn’t asked to be traded.

Nor does he feel like he’s on borrowed time with the organization that chose him with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.

As for all of the summer speculation he might have played his last game as a member of the Winnipeg Jets?

The thought barely registered, even with the rumour mill seemingly on overdrive, with many observers pairing him to teams such as the Boston Bruins — especially after the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

“Honestly, it’s not really on my mind, not really, I have one year left on my deal and I’m here focusing on this team and helping this team succeed and really that’s my one focus,” said Scheifele, who was jovial as he spoke with reporters for nearly 10 minutes after the first day of on-ice sessions at Jets training camp. “It’s another hockey season. I’m a hockey player, love the game, love to skate, I love to get ready and improve on my game. (It’s) the same as always.”

To be fair, Scheifele didn’t exactly provide any clarity on his status beyond this season, though he left the door open to remain with the Jets beyond his current contract, which expires this summer.

“For sure, I’ve told them I’m open to staying and I’m definitely open to staying here,” said Scheifele. “It’s been a long time, enjoyed every day of it. You know I’m definitely open to staying.”

Although Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Wednesday all options remain on the table, Scheifele offered a revealing nugget as it pertains to the state of negotations.

“There haven’t really been any talks at all, so (I’m) just being a hockey player,” said Scheifele, who didn’t express anywhere close to the disappointment level that Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos did on Wednesday when he was asked a similar question about negotiations.

That’s not to say the Jets aren’t interested in securing Scheifele’s services or that talks might not pick up sooner rather than later.

For the time being, both sides seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach.

Make no mistake, Scheifele fully understands what is at stake for himself and the organization.

Asked what will be important to him when it comes to him considering an extension, Scheifele was quick to point out there are several other valuable players in a contract year on the roster.

“There’s a lot of guys in the same situation as me. I’m not going to speculate,” said Scheifele, who had a career-high 42 goals last season as he recorded 68 points in 81 games during the regular season. “All I can do is control what I can control and that’s going out every day, give it my all and work my hardest and work on my game and improving. That’s all I can do.”

When a direct follow-up question asked what factors were important to him when considering an extension, Scheifele was singing from the same songbook as Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

“Obviously, I want to win, I’m a competitor. I want to win a Stanley Cup, that’s everyone’s goal is to win a Stanley Cup,” said Scheifele. “That never changes.”

Back for his 13th training camp — take a moment to let that sink in — Scheifele (now 30) prefers to keep his focus on the here-and-now and that’s an attitude he’s had since he arrived on the scene in Winnipeg.

That he’s nine months away from the opportunity to pursue unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career won’t be front of mind.

There was plenty of time for reflection Thursday though, with Scheifele also spending a considerable chunk of time during his scrum talking about the departure of Blake Wheeler (who signed with the New York Rangers after the final season of his contract was bought out) and providing a stick tap to another former Jets captain, Andrew Ladd, who recently announced his retirement.

“(Wheeler) and Andrew Ladd, I would say, are the two guys that mentored me. Good days, bad days, helped me through a lot,” said Scheifele. “Obviously played a lot of amazing games with Blake. He made me the player I am today. Helped me. Gave me a lot of backdoor tap-ins. He is the best passer I’ve ever played with, by a mile. So obviously he meant a lot to me and taught me a lot, mentored me a lot, and he will always be a good friend of mine.

“I’ve lost a lot of good friends in this business but it’s the nature of the beast and you’ve just got to move on and continue to strive forward and learn from the lessons they teach you and go from there.”

Scheifele conceded the feeling at this training camp was different without having Wheeler around, but after sending his well wishes to his longtime winger, he praised the decision to name Adam Lowry the third captain in Jets 2.0 history.

“Obviously very very happy for him. Adam is a guy I’ve been with through it all. I lived with him for two years way back in the day,” said Scheifele. “Grown up with him and have a lot of great memories with him. So I’m obviously very very happy for him. And know he’s going to be a great guy for the job.”

Jets head coach Rick Bowness emphasized the importance of Scheifele’s role, both in terms of remaining in the leadership group and being a big-time offensive contributor.

“Part of Mark’s progression, (just like) a lot of guys, is ‘OK, let’s take this team to another level.’ Mark is capable of doing that,” said Bowness. “We need him to score the goals, we need him to create the offence that he can and help lead this team to the next level.”

Scheifele’s ability to produce offensively has never been in question and over the past several seasons, his defensive commitment has grown into a narrative that sometimes takes on a life of its own.

“Again. All our guys — and it’s not just Mark in particular — when we got in trouble last year, it was our play away from the puck that got us in trouble,” said Bowness. “We just have to continue to preach that (to) all the guys and you expect the veterans to lead that way.”

No matter what the future may hold for Scheifele, this is a topic that won’t go away until there’s resolution.

For as long as Scheifele is wearing a Jets jersey, they’re going to need him to be a top performer.

He fully understands that responsibility and has put in the work to succeed.

Now, it’s all about going out and performing to the best of his ability.

Playing for his next contract isn’t something that will provide any additional motivation.

“Every year is a year to grow in every aspect of the game and this is like no other,” said Scheifele, who signed an eight-year extension worth US$49 million in July of 2016. “You want to go out and put your best foot forward every game, no matter if it’s a contract year or you’ve got eight years left on your deal. You go out there and try to help your team win And that’s the same focus each and every day.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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