‘Extra-special’ game for newest Jets Trio obtained from Kings looking forward to facing off against former teammates By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 6:22 PM CDT Monday, Oct. 16, 2023

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This article was published 16/10/2023 (722 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was the blockbuster trade heard ‘round the hockey world. All the key players will be on display Tuesday night as the Winnipeg Jets host the Los Angeles Kings.

Just a typical third game of the NHL regular season? Hardly.

“A little extra special,” Jets forward Alex Iafallo said Monday following his team’s practice at the Hockey For All Centre.

“It’ll be weird,” admitted teammate Gabe Vilardi.

“It’s going to be a fun one. We’ll see a lot of friends out there. Not on the ice, though,” added Rasmus Kupari with a chuckle. “When the game’s on, there’s no friends out there but a lot of old teammates and yeah, it’s going to be an exciting game.”

Winnipeg (1-1) opened the 2023-24 campaign with a 5-3 loss in Calgary against the Flames last week, followed by a 6-4 win in their home opener Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Los Angeles (0-1-1) fell 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche and 6-5 in a shootout to the Carolina Hurricanes in a pair of home games to start their campaign.

“I haven’t seen them in a bit,” said Iafallo. “It’s obviously business on the ice. But there will be a couple jokes here and there. It’ll be a fun game.”

Iafallo, Vilardi and Kupari, along with a 2024 second-round draft pick, were obtained from the Kings in exchange for disgruntled centre Pierre-Luc Dubois back on June 27.

The general consensus at the time was that Winnipeg made out pretty well on the deal, especially since Dubois — who could have been an unrestricted free agent next summer — made it clear he wanted a change of scenery.

There’s a good chance he’s going to hear it from the Winnipeg faithful when he hits the ice at Canada Life Centre ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop given how the relationship ended.

“So, that’s his choice… didn’t want to be here. It worked out well for him. And it’s worked out really well for us, so we’re happy.”–Head coach Rick Bowness

 

Just don’t put Jets coach Rick Bowness in that camp.

“I had no problem with Dubie. I talked to him an awful lot, spent a lot of time with him. I was trying to convince him to stay, but that wasn’t going to happen no matter what,” he said.

“He made it no secret that he wasn’t going to sign a long-term deal here. When he comes out and says that, he just didn’t want to be here. He was going to move on when he could. So, that’s his choice… didn’t want to be here. It worked out well for him. And it’s worked out really well for us, so we’re happy.”

Indeed, the early returns are certainly promising.

Vilardi, 24, is part of a new-look top line along with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor that has dominated for large stretches during their first two games together.

“The culture here is amazing. I love it here,” he said. “It’s been great so far and the guys are really tight-knit and it’s been fun so far.”

Iafallo, 29, is part of a talented third line along with captain Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton.

“It’s been nice. Everybody’s been great helping us out, different systems, all that kind of stuff,” he said. “It’s been an easy transition trying to understand more stuff. It’s been fun so far. We’ve been playing great so we’ve got to keep at ‘er.”

Kupari, 23, is playing centre on a speedy fourth line with Vlad Namestnikov and Morgan Barron.

“We’re all pretty smart players. We can all fill the centre role or be along the boards or be the low forward. All of us (have) some skills,” Kupari said.

All the ex-Kings men have combined for three points so far (Iafallo scored in the opener in Calgary, while Vilardi and Kupari had assists against Florida) and will make a combined US$8.437 million this season and next.

“All three of these players are really good players. And they all fit in very, very well.”–Rick Bowness

“All three of these players are really good players. And they all fit in very, very well,” said Bowness.

“I see a big upside with Rasmus. I can see why he’s a first-round pick. Big, strong kid. I think there’s more there. Alex fits in whatever role we ask him to do. He’s doing a great job on the bumper on the power play. And he’s doing great playing with Adam and Apple. And obviously Gabe has fit in great with Mark and K.C.

“So there’s only upside for all of those three guys, and when we get that second-round pick in a year — it was a great trade by Chevy.”

Dubois, 25, is still looking for his first point with his new team after signing an eight-year extension that pays him US$8.5 million per season. The Kings practiced in Los Angeles on Monday before chartering to Winnipeg. Dubois is expected to speak with local media following Tuesday’s morning skate.

“He’ll (Dubois) have a strong game, I’m sure. Listen, he’s a very good player. He’s an excellent hockey player. He’s a big, strong guy that can move.”–Rick Bowness

“He’ll have a strong game, I’m sure,” said Bowness. “Listen, he’s a very good player. He’s an excellent hockey player. He’s a big, strong guy that can move.”

The Jets are expected to roll out the same lineup for a third consecutive game, with Connor Hellebuyck starting in goal. Forward David Gustafsson and defencemen Declan Chisholm and Logan Stanley will be the healthy scratches.

The trio of former Los Angeles skaters agreed they’re enjoying a more aggressive approach in Winnipeg when it comes to offensive systems, in comparison to the Kings’ style.

“The 1-3-1 (in L.A.), it’s a lot of automatic plays — I don’t want to say robotic — but it’s just reads you’ve got to make,” said Vilardi.

A different story with the Jets, thanks to the forward depth which got a major boost with the Dubois deal.

“Really staying aggressive, making plays. That’s what you want, that’s how you win games,” Iafallo said, of the relentless mindset.

Bowness isn’t surprised the transition has gone so well for the talented trio, even if there may have been some initial culture shock and growing pains.

“(The Kings) are the only team they knew before they came to Winnipeg. L.A.’s a pretty nice place to play. But they’re finding out that Winnipeg’s a pretty good place to play, as well,” said Bowness.

“All three of them have fit in tremendously well. They’re all wonderful, wonderful teammates that work very hard. And they’re all really good players. And you know I love the fact that they all want to be right here.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

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