Recession-proof power play leads NHL

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This article was published 15/01/2025 (239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Davis Payne stood at the lectern and handled questions about the top-ranked power play in the NHL like he was an economics professor.

After delivering an analogy about working from the top down with the man-advantage but also having strength from the bottom up earlier in the question and answer session, the assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets who is in charge of the aforementioned power play, delivered a quote that was more than just a snappy one-liner.

“We talk about being a recession-proof power play, so that we’re always having an answer to create momentum,” said Payne.

Having a recession-proof power play in the economy that is the NHL season — where every move is placed under the microscope by opposition coaches looking for an edge or a way to limit the effectiveness of a dangerous group — has been an important asset for the Jets.

Being able to convert at a clip that remains north of 30 per cent (32.3 to be precise), which leaves the Jets more than four percentage points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings (28.1), who are second in the NHL, is important in a league in which special teams play such a big role.

Payne was quick to dole out credit to the players on both units, for their ability to adapt to a new voice and some adjustments to the principles used by previous regimes.

“The biggest thing for me is our guys have bought in and they’ve sort of accepted, not different roles, but different ways of thinking of attacking, approaching it and so far, the results have been good,” said Payne. “We’ve just passed the halfway poll so there’s still a long way to go.”

“Our guys have bought in and they’ve sort of accepted, not different roles, but different ways of thinking of attacking, approaching it and so far, the results have been good.”–Davis Payne

The Jets, who are 30-12-3, continue an eight-game homestand on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken — who are coming off a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and currently sit eight points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“It’s important to have skill in different areas of your power play,” said Payne. “So when you look at it, we’ve got skill coming from top-down. And with a guy like Gabe (Vilardi) you’ve got skill coming from the bottom-up. Maybe it’s an economic study. If it works or doesn’t work, I’m not sure.There has to be another way to attack.

“I feel like you have to have more of an answer than just hammering pucks through at certain people, because guys are committed to blocking shots, and so it is one way to sort of force them to defend from a different angle.”

THE UPDATE(S): Jets defenceman Haydn Fleury isn’t exactly sure how he suffered a lower-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs in second period of the final game before the holiday break on Dec. 23.

“Yeah, I’ve watched (the replay) a couple times now and still couldn’t really tell you how it happened,” said Fleury, who has six assists in 25 games this season. “I didn’t really feel like I caught a rut or anything. Just kind of leaned on the guy and felt something that didn’t feel great and that was that.”

After shedding his non-contact jersey earlier this week, Fleury is almost ready to return to the Jets’ lineup.

“We’re getting close, for sure. Not exactly sure when, but coming up here soon I think,” said Fleury, noting the first week of the recovery “stunk” but that he’s been progressing ever since. “I’m starting to feel good again on my edges and pivoting and all that, so it’s getting really close.”

Prior to his injury, Fleury had been enjoying a promotion to the second pairing with Neal Pionk as Dylan Samberg had been out with a broken foot.

Once he’s ready to return, Fleury will be thrust back into the competition for ice time on the third pairing.

By using his skating ability and playing a simple, yet effective game, Fleury had done an excellent job of pushing his way up the depth chart after signing a one-year, two-way deal as an unrestricted free agent.

“Yeah, I think just keep it simple to start, get into it, that’s kind of the main thing. Just don’t try to recreate where I was on the first shift,” said Fleury. “Just get into it and be simple, play hard, use my feet and let the rest take care of itself.”

THE DEMOTION: With Fleury getting closer to full health and fellow blue-liner Colin Miller (fractured larynx) shedding his non-contact jersey on Wednesday, the Jets loaned D-man Dylan Coghlan to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Coghlan has appeared in six games with the Jets this season and while he showed an uncanny ability to provide solid play despite lengthy stretches in the press box as a healthy scratch, he’s currently caught up in a numbers game.

Since Coghlan has not appeared in 10 games or spent 30 days on the Jets roster since he was recalled on Dec. 27, he is not subject to waivers for this assignment.

Based on Wednesday’s line rushes, the Jets are expected to go with Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley on the third pairing against the Kraken.

Nikolaj Ehlers took a maintenance day on Wednesday, but is expected to be ready to suit up on Thursday.

Vladislav Namestnikov continues to be sidelined by a lower-body issue and could miss a third consecutive game.

THE TRADE: The Jets made a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday afternoon, acquiring defenceman Isaak Phillips for Moose D-man Dmitry Kuzmin.

Phillips, 23, was chosen by the Blackhawks in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft and has 56 NHL games on his resume, including three with Chicago this season.

At 6-3 and 205 pounds, Phillips shoots left-handed and is known for playing a physical game, can be an effective penalty killer and clear the front of the net.

Phillips falls into the category of a depth defenceman who has the ceiling to become a third pairing guy in the NHL, depending on how the change of scenery goes for him.

During his second season with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, Phillips had 10 goals and 25 points in 64 games but his offensive numbers have tapered off since then.

Kuzmin, who turns 22 in April, was chosen by the Jets in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft and has one goal and four points in 21 games with the Moose this season.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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