FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: No, it’s not the Stanley Cup playoffs. But make no mistake: The Calder Cup playoffs are important for the Winnipeg Jets organization, especially with so many drafted and developing prospects playing key roles with the Manitoba Moose.
This isn’t an AHL team built on journeymen veterans or career minor-leaguers who have little chance to get up with the big club. Rather, the Moose are filled with players who could be a big part of the future.
And obviously, playing high-stakes hockey is a great way to gauge how their progression is going.
And so I’ll be watching the likes of Brad Lambert and Brayden Yager, fresh off their impressive late-season appearances with the Jets, to see if they can carry that momentum forward; rookies Colby Barlow and Jacob Julien, to see if he they continue their late-season surge; and Danny Zhilkin and Parker Ford, who didn’t look out of place at all during their NHL appearances this season.
Domenic DiVincentiis (left) makes a save during training camp. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)
Same with Elias Salomonsson (once he’s cleared to return from the concussion he suffered a few weeks ago with the Jets) and Isaak Phillips on the blue line. And, in goal, Thomas Milic — who had a great NHL debut with the Jets — and his job-share partner, Dom DiVincentiis.
There are also new arrivals like defencemen Alfons Freij and Garrett Brown, college free agent signing Lucas Wahlin and, perhaps, should these playoffs go on long enough, injured forward prospects Kieron Walton and Kevin He, who could all factor in at some point.
And, last but not least, Tyrel Bauer — one of the toughest pro hockey players on the planet, who likely would have made his NHL debut in recent weeks if not for injury.
Add it all up, and there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
KEN SAYS: It will be enjoyable to reconnect with my roots here this week, as I covered the Moose for a decade before graduating to the NHL beat.
There have been some memorable playoff runs, whether it was in the final season of the International Hockey League in 2001 or the Calder Cup final appearance in 2009, when a talented Moose team (coached by Scott Arniel) lost in six games to a stacked Hershey Bears club.
This edition of the Moose is a hungry one, especially when you consider the core pieces that missed out on the playoffs entirely last spring.
That tough season was an impetus for the Jets signing some important veteran pieces (including Calder Cup champion winger Phil Di Giuseppe) to help insulate the prospects, especially some of those playing their first professional seasons.
Having capable vets is essential for a long run, though many eyes will be on many of the top prospects Mike mentioned above.
Manitoba Moose forward Danny Zhilkin (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)
Can Lambert build on his extended stretch in the NHL to be an offensive force as he returns to the AHL, likely for the final time?
What will Yager look like in his two-way role after getting his first taste of NHL action?
How might Zhilkin continue his transformation as he plays an expanded role, knowing the Jets’ fourth line centre role might be opening up this fall?
Is goalie prospect Milic going to carry the mail and build on his team MVP season or might the crease be shared with DiVincentiis?
The players are focused on the task at hand, but heading into one of — if not the most important — off-seasons in franchise history for the Jets, some strong showings this spring from those wearing antlers on the front of the jersey could help answer some of the pressing questions moving forward.
PROJECTED LINES
Don’t get bogged down by the order; this is not a depth chart.
MANITOBA MOOSE
FORWARDS
- Mason Shaw–David Gustafsson–Walker Duehr
- Jaret Anderson-Dolan–Danny Zhilkin–Sam Fagemo
- Brad Lambert–Brayden Yager–Lucas Wahlin
- Colby Barlow–Parker Ford–Phi Di Giuseppe
DEFENCE
- Ashton Sautner–Tyrel Bauer
- Isaak Phillips–Kale Clague
- Dylan Anhorn–Dawson Barteaux
GOAL
- Thomas Milic
- Dom DiVincentiis
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS
FORWARDS
- Isaac Ratcliffe–Jake Lucchini–Cole O’Hara
- Zach L’Heureux–Reid Schaefer–Joakim Kemell
- Daniel Carr–Oasiz Wiesblatt–Ben Strinden
- Kyle Marino–Joey Willis–Ryder Rolston
DEFENCE
- Kevin Gravel–Ryan Ufko
- Jordan Oesterle–Andrew Gibson
- Andreas Englund–Tanner Molendyk
GOAL
- Matthew Murray
- Magnus Chrona
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Moose head coach Mark Morrison on gearing up for the playoffs:
“We’ve had some good stretches, but not long enough stretches. I’m talking two or three games at a time, and then we’ll take the foot off the gas. I’m hoping here in the playoffs that we can have some consistency with our game. I mean, things are important. We know the urgency of it.”
Manitoba Moose head coach Mark Morrison (John Woods / Free Press files)
MAILBAG CALLOUT
The Jets’ monthly mailbag is open for a few more days here, so please send your questions to Mike and Ken by replying to this email or reaching out via email or social media.
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken spoke to Jets’ top defence prospect Elias Salomonsson for a story about working his way out of concussion protocol and the land that landed him there. You can find that story and the game analysis in Thursday’s print edition.
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