Book closes on Jets training camp

Training camp is in the books for the Winnipeg Jets. Now comes the hard part for coaches and management — finalizing an opening-night roster that can’t exceed 23 healthy skaters.

The deadline isn’t until Monday under NHL rules, but Friday’s pre-season finale in Calgary may have already tipped the Jets’ hand on how those last cuts will play out.

Consider this: 30 players remain in camp, though that number includes captain Adam Lowry (hip surgery) and defenceman Dylan Samberg (broken wrist), who will both start the season on injured reserve. It also includes third-string goalie Domenic DiVincentiis, who’s headed to the Manitoba Moose this weekend.

That leaves four more moves to make, assuming Jonathan Toews (lower body, day-to-day) is ready for Thursday’s season opener against Dallas and no other surprises crop up via injury, waivers or trades.

Chances are those remaining decisions will all come up front. The Jets still have 17 forwards in camp (including Toews) and typically carry 13. For what it’s worth, David Gustafsson, Walker Duehr, Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov were the four healthy scratches Friday in Calgary.

“This is as close to our lineup as possible,” head coach Scott Arniel said following the morning skate.

On defence, Winnipeg currently has eight skaters, and that’s likely where they’ll stay for now. The Jets planned to take Saturday off before regrouping Sunday for a full practice, giving Arniel and company a little more time to finalize their choices.

“Obviously waivers fall into this,” Arniel said of these difficult decisions.

“There’s lot of guys that have had pretty good camps. We’re going to kind of watch that game (Friday night), re-evaluate everybody throughout probably this last 10 days and make a decision. Like I said before, how we start the year isn’t how we may look in November, December. We’ve gotta talk to management, talk to coaches and kind of take it after (Friday).”

Gustafsson and Duehr would need waivers to be assigned to the Moose, while Lambert and Chibrikov could be sent down freely. Winnipeg has already passed seven players through waivers this week, including forwards Phil Di Giuseppe, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Samuel Fagemo and Mason Shaw, along with defencemen Kale Clague, Tyrel Bauer and Isaak Phillips.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was seeing Parker Ford — who doesn’t require waivers — centring the fourth line between Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson against Calgary. Has the college free agent signing beaten out a drafted-and-developed prospect like Gustafsson for the final forward spot?

“Just another opportunity for a young guy to go and show what he can do. He’s had a good camp and kind of improved through each day,” Arniel said.

Ford, 25, admitted it was encouraging to be in the final dress rehearsal, but he wasn’t declaring victory just yet.

“I think it’s a great opportunity. I just have to continue to do my thing and show them I’m a reliable forward and can do my job,” he said.

A natural centre during his Providence College days, Ford has mostly played wing in three seasons with the Moose, producing 66 points (34G, 32A) in 121 AHL games. He also made his NHL debut last year on the wing, scoring once in three appearances with the Jets.

“It’s definitely an adjustment at the pro level,” said Ford.

“There’s definitely a lot more responsibility in the D-zone and just little things that you have to kind of pick up. I’m super comfortable there, taking faceoffs is something I like to do and one of my strong suits. I’ve loved it so far.”

With Toews sidelined, Vlad Namestnikov slid up to the second line, Morgan Barron bumped into Namestnikov’s spot on the third line, and Ford — who might otherwise be the 13th forward — filled in on the fourth.

On the blue line, the eight skaters still in camp would all require waivers, and it would seem Samberg’s unfortunate injury has delayed deciding which one must go. The pairings Friday offered some insight into the current pecking order.

The top duo of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo remained together, while Logan Stanley got a second straight game in Samberg’s spot with Neal Pionk.

“I want to run it again and see with Stan’s size and P’s mobility,” said Arniel. “We’re just still kind of playing along with that right now and seeing how it works itself out. We weren’t really expecting this, with Sammy being hurt, so we’re kind of playing catchup to see how it works with each group.”

Haydn Fleury and Luke Schenn were on the third pairing Friday night while Colin Miller and Ville Heinola were the two parked in the press box.

“I had some time with him last year. He’s a great skater, kills plays with his skating ability and his stick, and makes a pretty good first pass and moves the puck and communicates well out there,” Schenn said of his partner.

“This is our first pre-season game together, so it’s exciting to get going and get a couple more practice sessions with him and then we’re on our way.”

The Jets went 1-3-1 through their first five exhibition games, but iced their most experienced lineup yet in Calgary.

“I think everyone’s kind of got the same goal in mind where you definitely want to get your timing down and be sharp out there,” Schenn said of the final tune up.

On a personal level, Schenn — a trade deadline pickup last spring that threw his family life into chaos — said he feels much more settled this fall.

“I think the biggest thing last year was just sort of balancing the hockey aspect with family at home. And now, this year, everyone’s in Winnipeg and it’s just a way better feel, not only for myself, but for my wife and kids, too,” he said.

“Just way more familiarity with the coaching staff, everyone in the organization, the players, trainers. You’re not the new guy coming in anymore, kind of learning on the fly with just a handful of games left and jumping right in, trying to balance everything all at once. I’m excited to get going here this year with this group from the start.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg