FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Josh Morrissey told me earlier today he has “all the confidence in the world” in Comrie’s ability to hold down the fort while Hellebuyck has sidelined.
“Everyone in the room loves Coms. He’s a great goalie. The league probably doesn’t see it a lot. He’s going to get that opportunity here to show his stuff,” said the Jets defenceman.
Memo to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff: You might want to get Comrie’s signature on a contract extension ASAP, before his price really goes up here over the next month-and-a-half should he prove himself capable of carrying a bigger workload for a true contender.
It’s going to be incumbent on every member of the Jets to now try and pick up the slack and really get back to their bread and butter, which is attention to defensive detail and structure. That’s been lacking for much of this young season so far, with Hellebuyck (and Comrie) often bailing them out. We definitely saw glimpses of it in Tuesday’s win over Columbus, which should serve as a good building block.
Jets goalie Eric Comrie (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files)
“It’s important that we continue to try to improve in the areas that (during) the last few weeks I think we have,” said Lowry. “That’s defence, that’s the chances we are giving up, neutralizing the rush, if we can play better defensively in front and then we can make Comms’ job more easier for him then we can kind of continue climbing the standings.”
The standings are so tight this year that what happens over the next four-to-six weeks is likely to have a massive impact on what things look like come April. The Jets don’t have the 15-1-0 start of last year as insurance to lean on.
As for Milic, I took in Thursday’s Moose game (as did Arniel and Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty) and watched him put on quite a show against the Chicago Wolves, stopping 28 of 29 shots including several of the five-star variety. But it’s a big step up from the AHL to the NHL, especially at his age, so I’m curious to see just how much leash the Jets are willing to give him.
Winnipeg’s schedule includes three sets of back-to-backs over the next six weeks, meaning Milic could soon make his debut. It’s also possible the Jets look for other avenues to fill the void, whether it’s through the trade market, a free-agent signing or a waiver-wire pickup.
KEN SAYS: Before he fielded any questions, Arniel responded to the usual good morning salutations by asking: “Did anything exciting happen today?”
Well, there’s little doubt that the loss of the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will dominate most of the headlines — and rightfully so.
Injuries are part of the everyday life of NHL teams, but losing a No. 1 goalie is about as difficult an assignment as one could get.
There’s no surprise that Morrissey, Lowry and Arniel all expressed supreme confidence in Comrie while acknowledging it was nearly impossible to replace Hellebuyck, who has been a workhorse for the past decade and had shown no signs of slowing down.
Comrie has 82 NHL appearances and 78 starts on his resume and he’ll be shouldering a heavy load during Hellebuyck’s absence and while Arniel conceded Thomas Milic, who is No. 3 on the depth chart, would see some action in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see if the Jets explore the goalie market at all.
Carolina Hurricanes’ Nikolaj Ehlers has chipped in at least a point in eight of the past nine games. (Karl DeBlaker / The Associated Press files)
As for the homecoming for Ehlers, after having the opportunity to catch up with him a couple of weeks ago in Toronto after the Hurricanes defeated the Maple Leafs, I got the sense that he’s settling into his new surroundings.
After a slow start offensively, Ehlers has chipped in at least a point in eight of the past nine games and he’s up to four goals and 13 points in 20 games.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour went through something similar when he joined the team as a player after serving as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers and he’s liked what he’s seen from Ehlers so far.
“It’s a process,” said Brind’Amour. “When I first came here eons ago, it was like a year and a half (before) I felt comfortable. There are subtle differences in styles and sometimes it just takes some time to feel comfortable in a place. I see it more and more with his game, it’s starting to be a little more natural. I think it will still take some more time for him.”
This trip back to Winnipeg will be another step in the process for Ehlers and you can be sure he would love to factor into the scoring in this one.
You can also expect Ehlers to receive a rousing ovation to go along with his welcome back video. The ninth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft grew into a fan favourite during his decade as an NHLer and his return will be celebrated.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Namestnikov-Toews-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Iafallo
- Koepke-Barron-Nyquist
DEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Schenn
GOAL
INJURED: G Hellebuyck (knee surgery), D Fleury (concussion protocol)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Miller, F Pearson
CAROLINA HURRICANES
FORWARDS
- Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis
- Ehlers-Stankoven-Blake
- Carrier-Staal-Martinook
- Hall-Jankowski-Robinson
DEFENCE
- Gostisbehere-Walker
- Miller-Nystrom
- Reilly-Chatfield
GOAL
INJURED: D Slavin (lower body), D Legault (hand), C Koktaniemi (ankle)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: G Andersen, D Fensore, D Nikishkin
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Former Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, on who he was most looking forward to battling against:
“Neal Pionk, probably, to be honest. He texted me the other night and asked me if I wanted my fight in a ‘Canes jersey. So, I told him that it would be your first in the NHL.”
And, on the pending chirps:
“They’re going to be talking and it’s going to be pretty funny, at times, for sure. But there’s not one guy on that team that I don’t like, so I know probably what some of the guys are going to do and it’s going to be more fun than anything.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike and Ken have the latest edition of Dump & Chase, their weekly lap around the NHL, which leads with Lowry’s new contract.
Mike will have the game analysis of Jets vs. Hurricanes, with a focus on the Ehlers homecoming. You can find the stories online and in Saturday’s print edition.
|
