Connor always hungry for more

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This article was published 28/09/2023 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kyle Connor is a happy camper these days. That could be very good news for the Winnipeg Jets.

A disappointing 2022-23 campaign — at least by Connor’s very high personal standards — is now in the rear-view mirror. The road ahead is paved with potential.

Connor, 26, got a promising preview earlier this week when Gabe Vilardi made a sensational backhand pass to set him up for a highlight-reel goal against the Edmonton Oilers. It was the first game together for Winnipeg’s new top line centred by Mark Scheifele.

“I thought it was fantastic,” Connor said Thursday of the trio’s chemistry.

“Obviously preseason, it’s just something that we’re building. (Vilardi), my first time playing with him, but he reads the play well. He’s a smart player. I feel like he picked up on all our systems as soon as we showed him. Obviously, he’s got skill and he’s got some hands — you see the vision.”

The Jets would love to see a return to recent form for Connor, who had a career-high 47 goals, 46 assists and 93 points during the 2021-22 season, along with a Lady Byng award for taking just two minor penalties over 79 games.

It was a different story last year. Connor dropped to 31 goals in 82 games (along with 49 assists for 80 points), and the fact he ballooned to 10 violations of the NHL rule book suggests he let his emotions get the best of him at times.

“He takes great pride in being a difference maker. He takes great pride in his goal-scoring ability and, when you’re getting those chances and they don’t go in, any goal scorer would get a little frustrated at time,” said Jets coach Rick Bowness.

To be fair, Connor had no shortage of chances, and he could compose a full-length musical given the numbers of times he rang iron.

“I had a stretch at the end of the year where I felt like I was hitting the post every other game,” he said.

Perhaps his fortunes will change for the better this year?

“I think a lot of it had to do with the new system that we applied,” Connor said, of taking an offensive step back.

“A lot of it was playing with the ‘four man’, getting those (defencemen) up as well. It was an adjustment, I think, for the whole group. I’m excited to get another year under the belt with this new system as well.”

Connor insists he’s not looking at the “big picture” and setting any specific goals for himself, and that team success, rather than any personal achievements, is the true barometer.

“As a player you look back at the year and the opportunities you had. You’re always hungry for more,” he said. “As a team as well, it’s something we’re never satisfied until we’re holding that (Stanley) Cup.”

Connor had an eventful summer which included getting engaged to girlfriend Ally Petack. He also watched longtime linemate and mentor Blake Wheeler leave town, the result of a contract buyout. Connor, Schiefele and Wheeler were a regular trio for the Jets in recent years, and now it’s Vilardi who gets the first chance to step in.

“Gabe right now looks like a perfect fit for them, for that line,” said Bowness.

“Because he’s big, he’s strong, he hangs onto the puck and he makes plays. He’s not throwing pucks away. He sees guys. He knows where they are. He’s very strong on the puck so it’s hard to knock him off the puck, which buys the other two a little bit more time, a little bit more room to get to the open spaces and then he can find them. So far, we really like what it looks like and we’re going to give that a really good ride.”

Connor said there’s one other notable change in this training camp, in addition to breaking in a new linemate, which has made life a bit more enjoyable. That would be Bowness himself.

“I think he’s been very calm. Which is a good thing,” said Connor.

“I think at times he can get overexcited, for lack of a better word… that’s just kind of how he expresses himself. I think this year it’s a little more familiarity with everybody and his coaching style. I think it’s been great so far. Even on the bench during the games he’s had a calm presence.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg