Versatile Iafallo has earned his spot on Jets’ top line

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This article was published 21/11/2023 (684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TAMPA, Fla. — The unprompted comparisons are almost always the best ones.

So when Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry brought up a popular former linemate when asked about Alex Iafallo on Tuesday afternoon, it gave a true barometer of just how seamlessly Iafallo has fit in since the summer blockbuster with the Los Angeles Kings.

“He kind of reminds me, in a sense and in the style, like an Andrew Copp. He can slide up and down the lineup,” said Lowry, who played alongside Copp for a number of years but has had Iafallo on his wing for only a few games this season. “He’s got a really underrated skill set and that was something that even surprised me. I knew he was a quality player, I didn’t think he could impact the game in so many different ways.”

Iafallo’s impact on the Jets’ fortunes has been significant and his ability to step up and earn a promotion to the top line after former Kings teammate Gabriel Vilardi suffered a knee injury is one of the reasons the Jets are off to a 10-5-2 start and have earned at least one point in 11 of the past 13 games (9-2-2) going into Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“You’re seeing it. He does a lot of the little things that kind of allow (Mark Scheifele) and (Kyle Connor) to flourish,” said Lowry. “He gets in, he hounds the puck, he forces turnovers and he gives them that forechecking ability, so they can now create.

“He’s been a great addition to our lineup. He offers us a lot of different looks. I can’t say enough good things about what he’s meant for our team this year.”

Neither can his new linemates.

“He’s been an easy player to read, and that’s a compliment to his game,” said Connor. “He plays so hard and when he has the puck, he’s taking it to the net or making a strong play. That’s made (him) really easy to play with. His game has only gotten better.

“I’m just enjoying learning about his game.”

That learning process took a few games, but at some point during their third or fourth game together, the light bulb went on.

“Something did click. All of us felt it. Sometimes it happens that you need a few games to get going,” said Iafallo, who has four goals and 13 points in 17 games this season. “I just try to get them the puck. They do a lot of great things with the puck, so I’m just trying to get open and try to have a good 200-foot game and slide into those areas where I can get shots off.”

Scheifele and Connor enjoy playing with a linemate who hangs onto the puck and is effective on the cycle, which is another reason Iafallo has fit in so well.

“That’s true. I’m just trying to figure out where the best spots (are). Once you get that down, it’s pretty self explanatory,” said Iafallo. “You want to contribute as much as you can, even if it’s not points — and just doing the right things. If you do the right things, you get points and you keep getting success and you keep getting better. That’s what it’s all about.”

It’s not just the points that Iafallo has been able to pile up, it’s the little things he does that don’t always end up on the score sheet that stand out.

“His body position is really good. He’s able to find the puck and put his body on the right side of a guy to then make a play,” said Scheifele. “It’s not always the pretty play or taking (the puck) up the whole ice, but he’s pretty good at his body position, whether it’s in the O-zone, on the walls or in any of those places.

“He’s great at it and that’s what we’re kind of getting used to, how he makes plays and how he gets himself open to make a play or how he gets himself open to receive a play. That comes with time and it’s gotten better every game.”

Iafallo wasn’t sure what to expect or where he’d slot in after the trade to the Jets, but playing an enhanced role is something he’s welcomed.

“It’s good pressure. Going out there, you’ve got to be your best every shift,” said Iafallo. “You try to be ready for anything really.”

Iafallo, who carries an AAV of US$4 million and is under contract through the 2024-25 season before he could become an unrestricted free agent, is a tenacious forechecker who can disrupt things in the offensive zone.

He’s also diligent in the defensive zone, a conscientious forward who knows where to be and how to snuff out scoring chances.

That’s part of what has made him such a key contributor early in his tenure with his new team.

“He’s a carefree guy. He’s really popular. It didn’t take long here,” said associate coach Scott Arniel. “He’s a real good guy in the room and a real good guy away from the rink. On the ice, obviously he can play multiple positions, which is real helpful as things unfold here, as the season’s unfolded. Now he’s got chemistry with the two big guys. He plays the game the right way, he has a lot of good detail to his game.”

Not only has Iafallo filled in admirably on the top line, he’s carved out an important role for himself on the top power-play unit, starting in the bumper spot in the high slot but since moving to the net-front presence role.

Iafallo is averaging nearly 18 minutes of ice time per game, which is one of the reasons he hasn’t been out much for the penalty kill — one of his areas of expertise — and somewhere Arniel plans to slot him in again before long.

“He can fill in on all of those areas. I still have plans for him here on PK. Right now, he’s playing power play and he’s playing top minutes,” said Arniel. “The other thing too is that he’s helped that power play. In that bumper spot, that net-front spot. He’s helped a lot with those guys with (puck) recoveries and just having somebody close to that net all of the time. He’s earned that ice time.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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