Gustafsson’s new, improved outlook paying off

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This article was published 04/10/2023 (732 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A change in scenery this summer may have been all David Gustafsson needed to become the player he envisioned, and it could prove to be the difference in his standing with the Winnipeg Jets.

Gustafsson, 23, admitted Wednesday there were times last season when an offensive slump led him into a mental rut. He failed to find the back of the net in 46 games — recording six assists — and began to question whether he had what it took to be a mainstay in the NHL.

“I started second-guessing myself and it’s hard when you lose confidence in this sport, it’s hard to play,” Gustafsson said Wednesday after practice at the Hockey For All Centre. “I’ve been working a lot on myself, just the mental levels and that aspect of the game so I feel like I can take a new positive thought about it. I know some more stuff now about how to get away from those (bad) thoughts.”

Gustafsson’s long look in the mirror came in Gothenburg, Sweden during the offseason when he worked tirelessly on his shot with other hungry NHL players and consulted new strength and skating coaches. It was a change from his typical summers in Jönköping, a small town in south Sweden, where he trained alone.

“Overall, it’s been a more competitive summer for me. Last year, it was mostly me (training) and there may be some other guy over there too. Now, it’s a big group with NHL players who are all trying to prove themselves,” he said.

“I feel like that’s been a huge difference for me and I’ve been able to really focus it now with my new strength coach, the aspects of not getting injured, getting my body ready to play without having the big setback injuries I had last year. I’ve been working a lot on my shot and my skating.”

The difference has been noticeable. Gustafsson has scored three times in the Jets’ first five preseason games. Though the tallies don’t count, it’s notable that the versatile forward has found a scoring touch, given he has just one goal to his name in 74 career contests.

Indeed, he’s bursting with confidence heading into the team’s final exhibition contest against the Ottawa Senators at the downtown rink Thursday (7 p.m.), and has made a compelling case for the team to keep him over a handful of other candidates battling for the 13th forward spot.

“I feel like it’s going really good,” he said. “I feel like I had a tough last year and I know this is the last year of (my) contract. If I want to stay in the NHL I’ve got to have a good year this year and I’ve been working really hard this summer so it’s nice that, so far, it’s showing results.”

The forward’s newfound scoring prowess has been duly noted by head coach Rick Bowness, who said Gustafsson “certainly didn’t play his way off the team” in camp.

“Puck went into the net for him, that’s a huge start,” Bowness said with a chuckle. “He’s here, can play left wing, play centre and kill penalties while being a very reliable defensive forward. And that’s what he’s done.

“His timing offensively is better. But, again, his main job here is to kill penalties, win faceoffs, be versatile and be ready to do the job, whatever we ask him to do.”

Parting with Gustafsson would come with some risk for the Jets. He’s on a one-way contract would have to clear waivers before he could be sent to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. The Jets have already played with waiver-wire fire this offseason and were burned when Jansen Harkins was picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gustafsson acknowledged one of the tough parts of this year’s camp is competing for one of the last roster spots with Parker Ford, the surprise star of the preseason in the eyes of many. Gustafsson has played on a line with the twitchy forward throughout most of the exhibition contests and they have complemented each other, Ford setting him up on two occasions.

“Yeah, we’re fighting for the same spot but you gotta keep it professional. He’s a great guy outside the ice and whenever we play against each other, if he plays well that helps me too. You can’t think about (roster battles) during that time, but in the end, we got to compete,” Gustafsson said.

“I need to show that I’m better and he needs to show that he’s better to get the spot, but we’re keeping it all professional. He’s a great guy, I like him outside of the ice and, as you can see, I like playing with him. He’s set me up twice, he’s a really good player.”

Jets kill the injury/flu bug… for now

The Jets had all of their projected regulars at practice for the first time in training camp on Wednesday.

Forwards Mark Schiefele, Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron, who were victims of a flu bug that ran rampant through the locker room last week, all practised without limitations at the Hockey For All Centre.

“They worked their way through it and they all felt better at the end of practice,” Bowness said. “Getting the lungs back and getting some energy back was huge. I think they felt better after practice than before, so I guess that would be the positive.”

Meanwhile, forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defencemen Nate Schmidt and Declan Chisholm, who all nursed injuries that kept them out of the lineup, also practised.

Perhaps the most notable is Ehlers, who experienced neck spasms after a workout on the first day of training camp. While the flashy Dane was all smiles and appeared to be back to his normal self, it doesn’t look like he’ll suit up against the visiting Senators.

Late Wednesday, the Jets sent out their Thursday roster and his name wasn’t on it.

Meanwhile, defencemen Kyle Capobianco and Henri Nikkanen skated in a separate session. Jeffrey Viel was the lone player who was not skating with the team, and it quickly became apparent why.

The 26-year-old product of Rimouski, Que. was waived by the Jets and will start the year with the Moose if he goes unclaimed.

jfreysam@freepress.mb.ca

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