FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: There are a pair of lineup decisions that caught my eye today.
First, I think moving Namestnikov to the wing is a good move. He’s a versatile player who can help in many ways — and unleashing him to do some of the dirty work in the corners might just spark some secondary offence for the team.
With Adam Lowry nearing a return to the lineup, something had to give when it came to centres. You know Mark Scheifele and Toews aren’t going anywhere, so it really boiled down to one of Namestnikov or Barron who would have to be on the move. Barron’s size and speed up the middle is a terrific combination and Arniel is wise not to mess with that.
Secondly, keeping Luke Schenn in the lineup is a questionable move. He’s really having a rough go of it lately, getting exposed on a regular basis by quicker opponents. His last two games against Seattle and Utah — he was a healthy scratch in between against Calgary — really drove that point home. The fact Arniel is going right back to him, and in a road game where he can’t control the matchups, seems like a dangerous game.
I believe there’s a role for Schenn on this team, but likely as a 7th/8th defenceman who occasionally can get in your lineup but also can be a good teammate in the room and during practices. Rolling him out on the regular is not a solid play. At this point, Colin Miller deserves a longer look. And if the organization isn’t sold on him in that spot, then perhaps Elias Salomonsson’s time is sooner rather than later.
The Jets best be ready for an ornery Wild team that is fresh off a leadership meeting with the general manager to discuss their struggles out of the gate. History suggests that kind of development typically leads to a terrific response.
KEN SAYS: Arniel was careful not to point the finger at individuals, but he didn’t hold back on his frustration with the collective on Sunday and you can understand why.
The Jets have yet to play a full 60-minute game this season and that simply isn’t going to cut it as things move along.
This isn’t a matter of the Jets putting things on cruise control and waiting for the Stanley Cup playoffs to arrive, but they simply haven’t been consistent enough when it comes to some of their calling cards — specifically when it comes to defending.
Whether it’s puck management or coverage lapses, the Jets have been giving up too many quality scoring chances and relying on their goaltenders to bail them out.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes save on a Utah Mammoth shot during in Winnipeg on Sunday. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files)
Strong netminding, special teams and an outstanding start for the top line has allowed the Jets to get off to a steady start but they’ve got another level to reach and Arniel wants his group to showcase good habits with a bit more regularity before the season reaches its quarter point.
We’ve talked a lot about the incredible start for Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor — and rightfully so — but the top pairing of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo has also been doing a lot of heavy lifting.
DeMelo was forthcoming in an interview with the Free Press during training camp about wanting to raise his level of play after going through a campaign that wasn’t the same quality as his previous two.
He’s done that and then some through nine games. DeMelo has been both sound defensively while also chipping in significant offence, as his goal and seven points lead all Jets’ blue-liners so far while he’s averaging 21:40 of ice time — and playing a prominent role on an improved penalty kill.
The Wild solved their biggest question by signing Kaprizov to a massive contract extension and he’s done his part to produce, with five goals and 14 points through 10 outings.
But the Wild haven’t been playing well enough without the puck and that’s one of the reasons they’ve got a minus-11 goal differential right now and are below the playoff line.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Namestnikov-Toews-Iafallo
- Niederreiter-Barron-Nyquist
- Koepke-Ford-Pearson
DEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Stanley-Pionk
- Fleury-Schenn
GOAL
INJURED: D Samberg (wrist), C Lowry (hip), F Perfetti (ankle)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Miller, F Chibrikov, F Lambert
MINNESOTA WILD
FORWARDS
- Kaprizov-Rossi-Johansson
- Tarasenko-Eriksson Ek-Boldy
- Trenin-Hartman-Hinostroza
- Jones-Yurov-Pitlick
DEFENCE
- Brodin-Faber
- Middleton-Spurgeon
- Buium-Jiricek
GOAL
INJURED: D Bogosian (lower body), LW Foligno (upper body), C Sturm (back), RW Zuccarello (lower body), RW Butler (undisclosed)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Hunt
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets defenceman Logan Stanley on his team’s penchant to regroup from losses:
“It’s a mentality. I think it’s good leadership. We have a good hockey team in here. We’re not satisfied with losing hockey games. It’s important to us to bounce back and respond when we don’t have a good game or a tough loss. We want to have a good one tonight.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken is on the road for this one-game swing and will have an early piece with Gustav Nyquist on his transition to the Jets, plus the game analysis on the first of four meetings between the Jets and Wild.
You can find both pieces online at winnipegfreepress.com and in Wednesday’s print edition.
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