Samberg flourishing with increased ice-time and responsibilities

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This article was published 20/02/2025 (259 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to a question about where his hockey sense comes from, Dylan Samberg can’t help being transported to the outdoor rinks of Hermantown, Minn.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman has been praised numerous times this NHL season for his ability to anticipate where the puck is about to go — and that’s one of the many qualities that has allowed him to make a dramatic jump up the depth chart onto the second pairing with Neal Pionk.

“A lot of it came from just playing,” said Samberg, when asked if studying was at the root of his high hockey IQ. “We had outdoor ice and we were there every day. After school, we would skate for two hours on the outdoor rink with everyone, go inside for practice and come back out and skate for a couple more hours and then our parents would pick us up at eight or nine o’clock.

“Just playing so much hockey over the years. At this point in my career, I feel like I’ve seen everything, but every day there’s something new that you can learn.”

Samberg will continue his learning process as the Jets return to action Saturday in St. Louis against the Blues.

“I’d say it’s just from looking at other guys’ tendencies. Some guys have different tells, whether it be their upper body or their eyes or what-not — or just the way that they point their stick. Small little things that you pick up,” said Samberg. “Sometimes, you’ll see a rush coming at you and be like, ‘I’ve seen this rush before. I’ve seen one guy go this way and one guy go this way.’ A lot of it is quick thinking, not so much studying guys, but remembering from past experiences.”

Heading into this season, the departure of Brenden Dillon to the New Jersey Devils in free agency left the Jets with a big vacancy on the second pairing.

Dillon not only delivered the most goals (eight) of his career, but he was a leader and physical force on a Jets’ defence that didn’t have an abundance of size even before he left.

One of the reasons the Jets didn’t make a bigger push to keep Dillon around was that they felt it was time for Samberg to take on an expanded role.

He had graduated to full-time duty on the third pairing after the Jets chose him in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, playing mostly with Nate Schmidt (who also departed after the Jets bought out the final year of his contract) last season while averaging 15:38 of ice-time per game.

How Samberg handled the promotion was going to have a major impact on the Jets’ fortunes and as it turns out, he’s proven to be ready for his close-up.

Samberg is averaging just over 21 minutes per game this season — up nearly five-and-a-half minutes from 2023-24 — and he’s flourishing.

Known more for his ability to defend, Samberg has upped his offensive game as well — already producing a career-high four goals to go along with 13 points in 35 games this season.

“I’ve always relied on my defence for most of my game,” said Samberg. “With more minutes and playing with these top lines on our team, we’re asked to join the rush more and build on the offensive side. Obviously it’s not at the Pionk or (Josh) Morrissey level, but it’s building. Hopefully, someday I get to that point, but if not, I’m trying to build that (part of his game) and create as much offence as I can.”

Had he not missed 23 games with a fractured foot, Samberg likely would have eclipsed his career-high for points (18) as well.

“He’s always been super steady. He’s actually got more offensive upside than a lot of people think,” said Jets goalie Eric Comrie, who also played with Samberg when he was a member of the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League. “He’s just so steady. On the PK, he’s a calming force back there. He does so much for us. I know that when he is on the ice, I feel very safe.”

There are plenty of reasons Comrie — and Connor Hellebuyck — feel safe when Samberg is on the ice.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Samberg has been on the ice for 34 goals for and 23 goals against at five-on-five, while the Jets have generated 288 scoring chances, while surrendering 239 (54.65 per cent).

Along with his hockey sense, Samberg shows no fear whatsoever when it comes to blocking shots.

In 35 games this season, Samberg has 44 blocks, including the one from Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos in November that put him on the shelf for 23 games.

“You have to be willing to do it,” said Pionk. “If you look at the best shot blockers in the league, the willingness is there and then there’s a bit of a technique to it as far as timing (goes). Timing and if you’re in the lane. If you go down too early, good players are going to pump it around you, fake it, pull it around you. Then it’s too late and you missed it already.”

When asked about his shot-blocking prowess, Samberg simply shrugs it off as an important part of the job, even if it’s an occupational hazard.

“I did love playing street hockey as a goalie. Anytime I could strap on the pads, I loved to do it,” said Samberg, who won a pair of NCAA Frozen Four championships with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. “It could come from that. I don’t know. It’s part of the things you’ve got to do on the PK or as a defenceman, one of the sacrifices you have to make.”

Samberg was quick to credit Pionk with helping him adjust to the enhanced role, but he hasn’t allowed complacency to sneak into his game either.

“You’re not guaranteed that. One day you’re playing in the top-four and the next day, you could quickly and easily be moved to the third pair or be out (of the lineup),” said Samberg. “You’ve got to make sure that every day you’re working your hardest and continuing to build and grow.”

Pionk, who also hails from Hermantown (which is just outside Duluth, Minn.), isn’t the least bit surprised to see Samberg taking such a big step forward this season.

“I just let him run. I’ve seen him play at the high school, junior, college level, even the pro level. I know he can do it, it was just a matter of him doing it with confidence and doing it,” said Pionk, asked if he offered any advice to Samberg. “The biggest jump is with his confidence in breaking up pucks. The puck will get dumped in his corner and sure, he’ll slide it over me and make a simple play, but once in a while he’ll just shake a guy by himself and make a stretch pass. Little stuff like that.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld