FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: What to make of tonight’s fourth line, which will see Namestnikov paired with Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo? The trio are a combined 99 years old, have more than 2,500 games of NHL experience on their collective resumes and are making nearly US $11 million — with Namestnikov and Niederreiter both in the final year of their deals and Iafallo with just one year left.
“What you see tonight may not be what you see next Friday,” Arniel cautioned.
Interesting. I could certainly see energy forward/human bumper car Cole Koepke knocking one of those three off the line and into the press box as the 13th forward, assuming Winnipeg’s top three forward lines remain intact for at least the time being. It’s worth noting Koepke actually can’t play tonight, as he’s considered a veteran and has already played two preseason games.
Iafallo, in my eyes, is a lock. Not so much for Namestnikov and especially Niederreiter, who both had nightmare seasons last year which included prolonged injury issues and a major drop in production. In that sense, I’d say tonight is a very important game for them to show they can still hang at this level, especially against a strong Colorado team.
Winnipeg Jets’ Vladislav Namestnikov said he’s excited to be back, with lots to prove after last season. (Mary Altaffer / The Associated Press files)
“Last year didn’t go as planned, so had a good long summer working out and skating. Lots of things to prove,” Namestnikov said this morning.
“I’m excited to be back and to get started here. I want to be responsible on both ends, and bring that physicality, that energy, and do all that. It’s preseason, but you still got to go out there and play that way, play the right way, and just play hockey.”
Namestnikov still has some value and versatility to offer, with the ability to play centre or the wing. Don’t forget – he was Winnipeg’s second-line centre just two years ago when they won the Presidents’ Trophy.
But Niederreiter has really lost a step (or more), and I’m fascinated to see how his situation plays out here in the coming days. Is there a scenario where he is moved right off the roster, either through being placed on waivers, a trade or even a mutual contract termination? I wouldn’t rule anything out at this stage.
KEN SAYS: The paring of the roster continued on Friday morning, with goalie Thomas Milic assigned to the Moose and four other players placed on waivers, with the purpose of assigning them to the American Hockey League affiliate. Those players include defenceman Isaak Philips (who had an excellent camp) and forwards Nikita Chibrikov, Noah Gregor and Parker Ford.
One of the biggest remaining questions for the Jets revolves around whether they will carry 14 forwards and seven D-men or 13 forwards and eight D.
As of right now, there are 15 forwards and nine blue-liners in that discussion, though it should be noted Elias Salomonsson (shoulder) is ahead of schedule, according to Arniel, and could be back in game action by the middle of October (rather than the end of that month).
Up front, unless something happens with one of the veterans, it looks like it’s either going to be Danny Zhilkin (who would be exposed to waivers) or Brayden Yager (who is exempt from waivers) on the outside looking in if they go with 14 forwards.
My view on this topic remains consistent. Yager’s had a great camp but he would benefit from the additional puck touches that are available on the top line and top power play unit in the AHL to start the season and would likely be the first call-up. Fourth-line duty in the NHL doesn’t provide enough opportunity for someone whose all-around game likely needs a bit more seasoning before he becomes a regular.
On the back end, Bauer gets another great opportunity to show his growth on the third pair with Mario Ferraro against a high-octane Avalanche team that will have most regulars dressed. With a strong showing, he could potentially earn a spot in the opening-night lineup against the Bruins next Friday.
Henry Thrun has looked solid, but he looks like he’s going to be a top-pairing guy for the Moose, provided he clears waivers.
That would leave Haydn Fleury, Jack St. Ivany and Bauer to round out the roster if the Jets go with eight D-men and 13 forwards, minimizing the number of players who would be subject to waivers.
At some point this weekend, we should also find out if the Jets plan to start the season with Dom DiVincentiis as the backup to Skinner or if a waiver claim could be on the horizon.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Perfetti
- Rosen-Bjorck-Vilardi
- Barron-Lowry-Lambert
- Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Ferraro-Bauer
GOAL:
COLORADO AVALANCHE
FORWARDS:
- Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas
- Landeskog-Nelson-Kadri
- Schwartz-Hughes-Brindley
- Kelly-Svechkov-T. Makar
DEFENCE:
- Toews-C. Makar
- Kulak-Malinski
- Aamodt-Juulsen
GOAL:
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Defenceman Tyrel Bauer on getting to compete against the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, among others, tonight:
“You kind of feel like a fan sometimes, you’re like ‘wow, this is cool. Let’s see how everybody does.’ Every team is at that stage of training camp right now, we’re all battling and fighting for spots or ice time or whatever different guys’ situations may be. The consensus is that we’re all super excited.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken and Mike dust off the crystal ball and offer up some fearless predictions about the coming NHL season as Dump & Chase returns. Mike will have the game recap of Jets versus Avalanche and share his thoughts on who stood out. The stories will be available at winnipegfreepress.com and in Saturday’s print edition.
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