Jets defence a work in progress

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This article was published 22/10/2024 (319 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. LOUIS – If Scott Arniel has a firmer idea for how he’s going to handle the rotation on defence, he’s not ready to reveal it just yet.

When asked about what could be in store for the defence corps moving forward, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets made it clear it’s a work in progress.

“I don’t have a plan, I go game to game,” Arniel said before the Jets faced the St. Louis Blues.

Arniel decided to make one lineup change on Tuesday night, inserting Rasmus Kupari back in at centre on the fourth line for David Gustafsson.

On defence, Logan Stanley stayed in for a second game on the third pairing with Colin Miller.

Stanley was limited to one preseason game and missed most of training camp after suffering a knee injury that required surgery to his meniscus, but made his season debut Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Arniel wanted to ensure Stanley came out of the game without any issues with the knee before committing to going back with him against the St. Louis Blues.

There are some benefits to stacking games as he works to get up to speed.

“Once you get into a rhythm again and recognize how to play with your partner and see how they can read off of each other,” said Arniel. “When you get to go right back at it quickly, you can continue to build on what you’ve done.”

The Jets are back in action on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken and that could provide a clue about whether Haydn Fleury could draw back in against one of his former teams or if Stanley will be given some additional runway to try and create some separation in this competition for playing time.

Steen in training

Winnipegger Alex Steen was revealed as the general-manager-in-waiting of the St. Louis Blues back in June, though it was announced at the same time that Doug Armstrong would be staying on in the role for two more seasons before the transition was complete.

This isn’t as simple as a handoff either, since Armstrong is staying with the organization as president and is under contract through the 2028-29 season.

Since the announcement was made, Steen has been keeping a low profile, immersed in the work that includes some important mentorship from a number of experienced members of the management team, including Armstrong — who built the roster that helped the Blues capture the Stanley Cup in 2019.

“It’s gone very well from my perspective,” Armstrong said Tuesday. “He’s a joy to be around. He’s learning a lot from the management staff that he works with every day. He’s starting to separate from that player mentality in dealing with the guys. They have a ton of respect for him, but there’s an understanding that he’s in management — and he has to see things from many different layers than he had to as a player.

“It’s been a real smooth start.”

Seeing Steen move into a management role isn’t a surprise to his former Blues teammates.

“He was a huge part of our team when we won the Stanley Cup,” said Blues defenceman Colton Parayko. “If you talk to a lot of hockey guys, culture is a big thing and he did a lot of things for the team dynamic behind the scenes that were just huge for the team.

“I’m glad I got to play with him. He’s going to do a great job.”

During the course of his career, Steen had plenty of experience moving up and down the lineup, while contributing to the power play and penalty kill at various stages.

He played a skilled game, but wasn’t afraid to get his nose dirty or go to the hard areas.

He understood the subtleties of the game and the value of each and every player on the roster.

That’s something that should translate well when it comes to team building and evaluating talent.

“When you get a chance to play on all four lines, you see what each one is all about,” said Parayko. “Having a long career, a successful career is also another where you understand the locker room and you understand the dynamics of the season and the grind and all of the little things that go into it.

“He has a good head on his shoulders. He sees it all and takes a lot into account. Right now, he’s doing a lot of learning from a great GM.”

 

Hofer advancing

Winnipegger Joel Hofer was back in a support role on Tuesday, but he’s been splitting starts with Blues goalie Jordan Binnington this season and has shown he’s ready for the enhanced role.

Hofer is off to a 3-0 start with a 2.32 goals-against average and .932 save percentage after appearing in 30 games with the Blues last season.

He recently accomplished the rare feat of postsing a shutout and recording an assist on the overtime winner in a 1-0 triumph over the New York Islanders.

“For a young goalie, he’s continuing to mature and building off what he did last year and previous years,” said Blues head coach Drew Bannister, who was an associate coach when Hofer broke into the pro ranks with the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League during the 2021-22 season and his head coach for two seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds. “With his puckhandling ability, there’s maturity there. He’s just taking another step in the right direction for us and he’s been outstanding so far this year. He’ll continue to build on that. He’s got a great guy to lean on with (Binnington).”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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