Petan draws into lineup for injured Lowry

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/12/2018 (2452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN JOSE — It no doubt took a lot longer than he’d hoped, but another opportunity finally came knocking Thursday night for Nic Petan.

The 23-year-old forward returned to action for the Winnipeg Jets against the San Jose Sharks after spending the majority of the season on the sidelines, including 10 straight games as a healthy scratch.

Petan took Adam Lowry’s spot, as the shutdown centre was unable to play due to an upper-body injury suffered Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Lowry is considered day-to-day and took the morning skate at SAP Center, staying out for extra work, presumably to test things out.

Petan centred the fourth line with Mason Appleton and Brendan Lemieux.

“Some veteran leadership, actually. He’d be the most senior guy there, he’s over the century mark (in NHL games played),” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said following the morning skate of what he expected from Petan, who entered play with one assist in 11 games this season.

“You know, Nicky can move the puck well, and he’s been in the league now long enough he can read the game that’s happening. It’s going to be a real challenge for those guys because of the size and speed that these guys (Sharks )have throughout their lineup. But he’ll be excited.

Jack Roslovic moved up to centre the third line with Mathieu Perreault and Brandon Tanev, while the top two lines remained intact.

“It’s always exciting when you get back in. Unfortunately, there are guys that are not feeling that well. I’ve got to hop in and just continue where I left off. Work hard, bring some energy,” Petan said Thursday morning.

“Before, it was obviously more of the same. I had different linemates and stuff like that, but bring the same attitude, positive energy and help contribute in any way that I can.”

***

This is Winnipeg’s first visit to San Jose since former Jets winger Evander Kane became a member of the Sharks roster, so naturally the local media had some questions Thursday.

Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien was quizzed following the morning skate if he had any “hard feelings” with his former teammate.

“It’s been a while. I don’t think about it anymore. That’s another guy you gotta watch, going up and down that lane with good speed, shoots the puck well,” Byfuglien said of Kane.

Maurice was also asked about reports he endorsed Kane to Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer, a close friend of his. Maurice had nothing but good things to say about the controversial former Jets winger, who has 10 goals and 10 assists this season.

“I didn’t have that experience (with Kane). I don’t have a Twitter account, so that eliminates 90 per cent of the issues, I think. He comes to the rink in good shape, his recovery is very possibly the best I’ve ever seen in a player. He can go hard for 45 seconds and be ready to go 20 seconds later. And he’s a gifted athlete. He can shoot the puck and can skate,” said Maurice.

“I think what happened is I got there after some of the potential issues (transpired). I didn’t ask a lot of questions and I try to treat the guys as I see them and how they treat me. I didn’t have that experience with him.”

Kane was traded by the Jets in a blockbuster deal with the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, then shipped to northern California at last year’s trade deadline. He signed a seven-year, US$49-million extension months later.

“It’s an add of a similar player. They skate so well as a team. And for a player like Evander, you need people around you that can skate with you so you’re not leaving people behind and you’re not playing the game by yourself. He fits here and his style of game absolutely fits this team.”

***

No Winnipeg skater is hotter right now than Mathieu Perreault when it comes to putting the puck in the net. The veteran winger had lit the lamp in five consecutive games entering play Thursday night.

Naturally, that’s getting a lot of traction inside the Jets dressing room. Perreault has quickly jumped from three goals to eight on the season.

“He’s laughing right now. He’s hot. It’s awesome to see that kind of guy who works hard every day,” said Patrik Laine, who leads the Jets with 23 goals.

“I think first 20 games was pretty hard for him. He was playing on the fourth line as well. So it’s awesome to see that kind of guy get rewarded. Hopefully he stays hot. We’re going to need those huge goals, especially from those guys, especially from him right now. He’s kind of playing in the right spots and being in the right spots at the right time. Hopefully he stays hot.”

***

Some eyebrows were raised when prospect Kristian Vesalainen elected to return to Europe last month, rather than stay in the American Hockey league with the Manitoba Moose after being sent down by the Jets. Similarly, some may have questioned what was behind his decision to decline an invitation to represent Finland at the world junior championship later this month.

Vesalainen, 19, spoke Thursday with Finnish media following a game with Jokerit of the KHL.

“I just came to Finland and I wanted to play the rest of the season with one team. It was a hard but right decision. I have travelled enough with all that jet lag. Going to Vancouver (where the world juniors are being held), then back to Finland, then to China (where there is a KHL team), back to Finland… that would’ve been crazy and too much,” Vesalainen told reporter Pekka Jalonen.

“I was thinking about this decision already when I came here. I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. Now I’m happy with my decision. Sometimes you have to be a little bit selfish. I wish team Finland and the guys best of luck, I hope they’ll come home with a medal.”

Vesalainen scored the game-winning goal Thursday and has four goals and two assists in nine games with Jokerit.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg