Morrissey becomes valuable blue-line asset

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/01/2017 (3264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He’s perhaps the Winnipeg Jets’ biggest surprise and greatest blessing.

Heading into the 2016-17 NHL season, there were far more questions marks than expectations surrounding rookie defenceman Josh Morrissey.

“The things that we would have had on the list for Josh to improve, or the areas of concern for us, right from Day 1, are his strengths this year,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice, noting Morrissey’s size — he’s graciously listed at six-foot, 195 pounds — was also a concern. “Can he handle the traffic down low? Can he break the puck out? Can he do those things? That’s what was lacking. I thought it would take years to be honest with you.”

Well, as the Jets hit the midway mark of the season, Morrissey, 21, has evolved into one of the team’s most consistent players on the back end.

In just his second year of an entry-level deal that has a cap hit of US$863,333 (according to capfriendly.com), he’s certainly their greatest bargain.

Morrissey was selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the Jets in 2013, but was not guaranteed a spot on the roster when training camp opened in September.

After a disappointing camp the year before, with Morrissey spending the entire season with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League — minus one game with the Jets — it was unclear when, or if, he’d ever become an impact player for Winnipeg.

But when a contract stalemate with Jacob Trouba created a vacancy on the left side in the Jets first defensive pairing, Morrissey was given first shot.

He’s played all 41 games since.

“He came in from Day 1, went back and got the puck real quick,” said Maurice, adding his “breakouts are good,” and he’s “physically strong 1-on-1.”

Playing alongside Dustin Byfuglien, Morrissey is averaging close to 19 minutes a game. Though he has just one goal and five assists, rarely does he make a mistake in the defensive zone.

“Dustin has a really good eye. He’s the opposite of that old veteran — he likes that skill. It wasn’t very long into training (camp) until he said I’d like to play with the kid,” Maurice said. “And we put the two of them together and there’s a nice match there and some pressure off Josh in terms of point production. They’re a really good pair.”

 

Laine’s tank still full

Forty-one games into his first NHL season, rookie Patrik Laine can’t believe how fast it’s gone. It’s been a wild ride for the 18-year-old Finnish phenom. He leads all rookies in goals (21) and points (36) and yet, when he reflects on his time the past few months, he can’t believe the Jets already are at the midway mark of the season.

“It just feels weird,” he said. “Those games come so quickly and you just have to focus always on another game.”

Laine has been particularly hot of late. Playing on a line with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers, the trio have combined for eight goals and 15 points in the last three games, with Laine leading the way with six points.

“Everybody likes to play and it’s just nice to go out there and battle for those points and just try and get better,” he said.

Close call

With a three-day break between their game in Florida and today’s game with the Buffalo Sabres, the Jets opted to give their players an extra day in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to enjoy the sun.

With their flight scheduled to leave around 9 a.m. Friday, they were only hours removed — and approximately 450 metres away — from what turned out to be a deadly scene as a gunman opened fire in a crowded baggage-claim area in Terminal 2, around 1 p.m.

At last report, five people were killed and 13 wounded.

Players were never in danger, said the team, since they charter their own flights and therefore use an airfield different from the one used by the general public. Both Winnipeg reporters that cover the team were scheduled for early flights and had departed by 8 a.m.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @jeffkhamilton