Redefined roles for top line

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This article was published 04/01/2018 (2894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets’ revamped top line hasn’t missed a beat since No. 1 centre Mark Scheifele went down with an injury more than a week ago — but the most surprising development may be just how they’re getting the job done.

Take Patrik Laine, only one of the most feared snipers in the NHL who was moved up to the top line. Laine has yet to add to his team-leading total of 18 goals in the three games that have been played since Scheifele’s injury, but he’s turned into quite the playmaker, with five assists over that span. Considering he only had 11 assists in his 38 previous games, that’s a noteworthy accomplishment.

Blake Wheeler, one of the assist leaders in the league this season, has just one helper since moving from right wing to centre to take Scheifele’s spot. But nobody around the team is fretting, considering Wheeler has scored four times in those three games. That’s also noteworthy for a player who had lit the lamp just nine times in the first 38 games of the year.

The third member of that line, rookie Kyle Connor, has seemingly stepped up his offensive game by putting up two goals and two assists in three games. Add it all up, and the top trio have a combined 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in the three games without Scheifele, in which they’ve gone 2-0-1.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said it all begins with his captain. He wasn’t entirely sure how Wheeler would adjust to a new position and the added responsibilities that come with it, but the early returns have been impressive.

“Blake’s probably gone into the middle even easier than I thought he would. It’s been pretty seamless. Defensively, he’s been very, very good,” Maurice said Thursday following practice, as the Jets prepared to host the Buffalo Sabres tonight at Bell MTS Place.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s put the puck in a bit more, because he gets to work both sides of the ice a little easier and touches the puck an awful lot more.”

Maurice said Laine’s playmaking abilities often get overshadowed by his knack for scoring, but they’ve flourished in recent games playing with Wheeler.

“We don’t show a lot of highlights of his passing. We see a lot of highlights of him shooting the puck. But he’s a really good passer,” Maurice said. “We think the combination going the other way is there. We think Patty is going to score there, too, and Blake is a really fine puck mover.”

Wheeler said the trio knew they had to step up and try to fill a major void on the team.

“With (Scheifele) being out, first and foremost, we had to make an impact. Our line couldn’t just go out and kill minutes. We wanted to be good on the defensive side of the puck. We couldn’t be a liability,” Wheeler said Thursday. “Those two guys, Kyle and Patrik, have stepped their game up. How they’re playing the game, and how hard they’re playing the game, has definitely had an impact.”

Laine was quick to heap praise on Wheeler, saying he’s a great mentor for all the young talent.

“He’s a role model on this team, and he knows how to play. He’s been playing a lot in the NHL, so he’s going to have a lot of advice to learn from him,” Laine said. “I think he’s been playing well as a centre. He’s playing well in our own zone and he’s got a lot of speed, so it’s easy to play next to him. It doesn’t matter who’s gonna score. On our line, everybody can score and everybody can pass. I think it’s only a good thing that everybody can finish.”

Wheeler said his new linemate may be taking some teams by surprise with his ability to move the puck efficiently, especially when there’s been so much focus on how hard and accurately he can shoot it.

“(Laine) sees the ice incredibly well. Playing in the middle with him, you get a better appreciation of that. He sees a lot of little seams, he really has a good feel for the game offensively. When he’s in a scoring area, you want him to shoot the puck more often than not,” Wheeler said. “I think he’s gained so much respect in the league, people focus on him a lot when he gets in those scoring areas, and that’s where he makes some of those nice passes. I’ve been on the receiving end of a few.”

Wheeler said he’s also enjoyed the teaching moments that come from being the veteran presence on a line with two talented teens in Laine and Connor.

“I think the most important thing is to be positive regardless — a lot of positive reinforcement. At the end of the day, if they make a good play, let them know. Those guys are used to creating offence and having an impact on the game,” Wheeler said. “I figured if I could be positive with them, try to build them up, trying to make them feel good, we could have some success.”

With Scheifele on the shelf for at least another five weeks, the Jets will be hoping it continues.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @mikemcintyrewpg