Bring on the extra work, Trouba says

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This article was published 30/03/2016 (3478 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If it’s a long look they want, the Winnipeg Jets are getting it and more when it comes to defenceman Jacob Trouba.

Jets coach Paul Maurice said a month ago it was time to increase Trouba’s minutes, even try him for an extended spell on the left side, Trouba’s off-side.

The 22-year-old third-year pro played 23 minutes 58 seconds on Wednesday night, adding to his recent totals that have ranged between 22 and 28-plus minutes in the last 11 games.

Bring on the work, Trouba said Wednesday, prior to the NHL game against the Ottawa Senators.

“I don’t really feel it too much,” Trouba said, seemingly happy to be playing more. His average minutes are now up to near 22 minutes for the season with the recent workload.

“It’s just, ‘Don’t get stuck out there for a long shift.’ That’s when you get caught the most and it takes a little bit to recover. Getting into a rhythm is nice, it’s much easier for me to play this way.”

Trouba did play some on the left side before Tyler Myers and Toby Enstrom went out for the season with injuries, so mostly he’s been back on the right, such as Wednesday night with often-regular partner Mark Stuart.

“It’s a big function of who’s out of the lineup now that usually play big minutes and who have proven they can play big minutes and I want to prove I can and this is a good opportunity to do that,” Trouba said.

Trouba has been a true swing man in this regard for the Jets. It’s happened many times before, that when the team gets desperate later in games, he’ll go over to the left like he did Wednesday and play with Byfuglien.

“It’s been a little back-and-forth,” Trouba agreed. “I think just playing the left side in general is a little bit different for me. I haven’t done that in a while but once you get the hang of it, it all comes back to you pretty quickly. So going back to the right side is nothing really different. You don’t forget how to do that.

“So it’s not too difficult. Staying on one side or the other is easier but going back and forth isn’t the end of the world.

‘I think just playing the left side in general is a little bit different for me. I haven’t done that in a while but once you get the hang of it, it all comes back to you pretty quickly’– Jacob Trouba 

“It’s different. Skating, crossing over different ways, is something that takes a little time to get used to. Once you get used to it, there are plays that are easier to make on your forehand, your off-side. Trying to stay off your backhand is something you try to stay conscious of.”

Long-term, Trouba said he’s happy with what the team decides it needs more, left side or right. Not every player is that comfortable.

“It’s kind of a function of the players we have, the ‘hands’ we have,” he said. “If I have to play the left side, I will. It’s not something I’m uncomfortable doing. It doesn’t bug me too much. If that’s what’s best for the team, I’m in for that.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca