Hockey nights in Skelleftea

Elias Salomonsson’s father used to rise at the crack of dawn to drive his son to hockey practices back home in Sweden.

Now? He’s pulling all-nighters, watching that same son live out his NHL dream.

“He’s stayed up to watch all the games we’ve played. He’s pretty tired in the morning,” Salomonsson said Wednesday with a laugh. “But he can take it.”

Memo to folks in Skelleftea: If you happen to come across a bleary-eyed carpenter, maybe give him an extra shot of espresso before he starts ripping apart your floorboards.

Yes, the seven-hour time difference can pose a challenge. But Salomonsson is doing his best to give Dad — and Mom — plenty to cheer about. Both were tuned in last Friday night — or, in their case, the wee hours of Saturday morning — when the 21-year-old defenceman scored his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks.

“That was pretty special,” he said, noting the milestone puck which is currently in the hands of Jets trainers will soon be shipped back home to go in his childhood bedroom.

The Salomonssons were glued to the TV once again late Tuesday/early Wednesday as Salomonsson logged 21:43 of ice time — the most in his 17 NHL games to date.

“He’s stayed up to watch all the games we’ve played. He’s pretty tired in the morning.”

“That was fun,” he said of the increased workload in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, which included moving to a pairing with Logan Stanley in the final frame as the Jets mounted a comeback.

“I think we created some good chances in the O-zone there, I think we moved the puck, we moved our feet on the blue line. We created some movement. It felt good.”

They’ll no doubt be tuned in again Thursday night/early Friday when Salomonsson and his teammates continue an eight-game homestand by hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. No offence to some of Winnipeg’s recent opponents, but that’s a significant step up in weight class.

“That’s a game you look forward to, to play against some of the best in the world,” said Salomonsson.

“I think we have to play tight defensively, don’t give them much time or space out there. I think that’s when they are pretty dangerous, when they get that extra time to make plays. So just try to shut them down.”

The fact Salomonsson is now being relied upon to help contain the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point shows how far he’s come in a short time. There were growing pains following his first promotion from the Manitoba Moose in November, but he’s looked like a different player since his second recall in mid-January.

“He’s made the adjustments,” said assistant coach Davis Payne.

“A lot of times for a young player coming in, you sort of deal with your energy of being in the league and that’s a real positive. And then all of a sudden the sort of weight of the everyday — tough opponent, new opponent, travel schedule, the reset – how quickly that has to happen versus the way it does in the American League is a little bit of an adjustment.”

Only Stanley and Dylan Samberg logged more ice time than Salomonsson against Chicago. Sure, the Jets are currently without two key blue-liners in Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk, but that’s still quite the vote of confidence.

“We felt (Tuesday) that he built a game from start to finish and in the third period he was a really good player, in all those areas you’re talking about: defending, taking ice, good gaps and making good decisions, hard decisions, with the puck,” said Payne.

“We always knew he was a great player. Down with the Moose we got to see it every day in practice and games.”

Jets forward Walker Duehr, who has spent plenty of time with Salomonsson on the farm this season, said he’s not surprised by the rapid rise.

“We always knew he was a great player. Down with the Moose we got to see it every day in practice and games,” said Duehr.

“He’s kind of just translated pretty seamlessly up here. I think his game is pretty suited well for the NHL level. He skates well, he’s got a good shot and he moves the puck fast. It’s been really cool to see him take a leap each game.”

There’s a good chance Salomonsson will be sent down to the Moose on Friday — at least for 24 hours. The Jets may want to make him eligible for the AHL playoffs, which would require a transaction. Rule changes this year prevent a simple paper move, so Salomonsson would have to actually suit up for the Moose to make it official.

An instant recall would likely follow — along with plenty of runway over the remainder of the regular season to show what he can offer.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good. Especially to score my first NHL goal there, that was a huge milestone for me. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day and keep getting better,” said Salomonsson.

TESTY TAMPA

The Lightning are one of the NHL’s top teams this season, but they’ll arrive in Winnipeg in a foul mood after dropping three straight in regulation by a combined 16-7 margin — including a 5-1 loss Tuesday night in Minnesota.

“We’ve played good teams this year, and we’ve hung right with them. We know our game is effective against good teams and that’s all facets of it,” said Payne.

“Now, there’s some guys that are not in the lineup right now that we’d sure like to have in there against a team like that. But at the same time your team game can get stronger. We can hang with anybody, and we know that. And that’s exciting to have that sort of challenge coming in.”

The Jets held an optional skate Wednesday, with Morrissey once again wearing a non-contact jersey. He’s unlikely to be ready for Tampa Bay, but could be an option by the weekend. Pionk, fellow defenceman Colin Miller and injured forwards Nino Niederreiter and Vlad Namestnikov are nowhere near a return.

TRADE TALKS

Adding another layer of uncertainty to Winnipeg’s lineup is Friday’s looming trade deadline.

Including Duehr and depth defenceman Ville Heinola, the Jets have 10 pending unrestricted free agents on the roster. With the club sitting well outside the playoff picture, could some be on the move? Unlike a year ago, Winnipeg won’t be buyers.

“We put ourselves in a position where reality is what it is. And last year was a different reality, obviously. And so we’ve just got to be prepared to play our best (Thursday) against Tampa and then deal with the next day,” said Payne.

“In all these situations you have to narrow your focus. And your players have to do that. There’s a lot of stuff that goes in that at this time of year is disruptive. And it’s far more disruptive to families and to kids and to wives and girlfriends than it is coaches, than it is fans, than it is media.”

Managing that emotional toll is a game in itself, Payne added.

“There’s a lot of impact behind the scenes that we have to be conscious of, and at the same time narrow our focus to playing a good game for the Winnipeg Jets,” he said.

“You’ve got to understand these guys in here or these guys in any room, they grow together, and they grow up together. They bleed and sweat and battle together, and there’s a bond there that’s beyond friendship. It’s very, very deep. They care for each other. And to see someone that you’re that close to moving out the door, it’s not easy.”

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