Multi-talented McDavid poses multiple headaches for Jets

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This article was published 30/11/2016 (3229 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dealing with the explosive talents of Connor McDavid has made coaching in the NHL infinitely more difficult.

Just ask Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice, whose Jets host McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers at the MTS Centre Thursday night (TSN3, TSN1290).

“He’s just got such a tremendous ability to get up the ice,” Maurice said after the Jets’ practice Wednesday afternoon.

“His speed is off the charts and, of course, (has) all the other pieces that go with it. But you can let them or any team launch that attack, especially in a deficit position. You can’t chase them in the 3-on-2 and then they’re going to create some offence that way.”

McDavid, who leads the NHL in scoring with 31 points in 24 games, has built his game on a supernatural ability to do extraordinary things at high speed.

Sophomore Jets centre Andrew Copp has seen it before. In 2014, the then 19-year-old American went head to head with the 16-year-old Canadian phenom at the world junior hockey championship.

The lesson he learned?

“Everyone has to be aware of where he is on the ice,” said Copp. “His speed is tremendous. So even if you have the puck pinned in their zone, he’s just one bouncing puck from being gone. But with that, take away his time and space. Don’t let him get started.”

Three years later, Copp suggested there is now one major difference in the Oilers captain.

“In that tournament, specifically, he was confident, don’t get me wrong but he uses his confidence now,” said Copp.

“He’s not afraid to make any plays, not afraid to go anywhere and I think he just has that extra drive. I think he’s gotten faster, too.”

Jets alternate captain Mark Scheifele is well aware of the matchup problems McDavid causes and how careful Winnipeg will have to be.

“For the most part, you’ve just gotta contain him,” said Scheifele, who was tied for second spot, five points behind McDavid, in league scoring entering Wednesday’s action. “He’s gonna make his moves. He’s gonna use his speed and for the most part, you’ve gotta keep him to the outside and limit him touching the puck as much as you can.”

Maurice is inclined to rely heavily on the good-offence-is-the-best-defence approach.

“First of all, nobody’s fast if you don’t have the puck,” said Maurice. “If you and your team control the puck you’re going to have a better chance, but you have to be smart about where you take your chances, where turnovers happen in the game because he counters so fast. It’s tough to get a handle on.”

You can probably expect Winnipeg’s game-planning for McDavid to look like a committee approach. Since veteran Bryan Little’s return to the lineup Tuesday after a 23-game absence, the Jets are flush with defending options at centre including Scheifele, Little and Adam Lowry.

“We do that every night, right?” said Maurice. “Now that Bryan’s back, that changes the fact. The lines are built differently right now here. Adam’s line excels against the big, heavy players and Bryan’s, we’ve used more against speed but we’re still developing as well so it’s important that Adam gets to play some minutes and makes adjustments to their game.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14