Brossoit back up to speed

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This article was published 08/01/2024 (638 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Laurent Brossoit has no problem looking at the big picture.

So, when a recent conversation about his play began, the Winnipeg Jets backup goalie was ready to provide an honest assessment.

Brossoit knows when he is playing up to the high standard he sets for himself, and was keenly aware he was a bit out of sorts in the first few starts of the NHL campaign after rejoining the Jets on a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent.

“My first few games were not… I wasn’t myself. It took a few games, as it does for a lot of guys,” Brossoit said. “Just a few games for me in this position this year is a month and a half, because I play every 10 days. So, it might seem like a longer stretch than it was. Since then, I’ve felt great. Back to normal, if not better.”

The Jets, fresh off a successful three-game road trip and riding a season-high six-game winning streak, begin a four-game homestand Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Game time is 7 p.m.

As the Jets approach the midway point of the season, Brossoit has made 10 starts compared to 29 for No.1 netminder Connor Hellebuyck.

Brossoit’s most recent performance was a gem as he turned aside 37 of 38 shots in Winnipeg’s 3-1 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks last Friday night.

All things being equal, he could be a bit busier during the second half and he figures to be back between the pipes on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

A big part of those early season issues was a transformation in roles after carrying the mail down the stretch for the Vegas Golden Knights, right through to the second round of the 2023 playoffs before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the run to the Stanley Cup.

“The mental side was a bigger factor, maybe when I was younger. In my three years here (in his first stint with the Jets), I had a lot of experience dealing with that. Honestly, you can find the positives in it and treat it like a football schedule, where you play a game and then you have a week to prepare,” said Brossoit. “You can recover, you can ramp things up, strengthen, get stronger and taper down before the game and then, feel pretty damn good before the game. There are pros and cons.”

Brossoit was prepared for whatever came his way when he returned to the Jets organization, the place where he established himself as a full-time NHLer during three seasons.

This season, with the Jets currently in top spot in the NHL, the pros are definitely outweighing the cons.

“I would obviously like to contribute more than I am, but when I get in there, if I can be steady and be the steady backup that can do the job just as good as an all-star, that should bode well.”– Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit

“I would obviously like to contribute more than I am, but when I get in there, if I can be steady and be the steady backup that can do the job just as good as an all-star, that should bode well,” said Brossoit, who is 6-3-1 with a 2.30 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

He allowed 10 goals in his first three starts of the season and felt he was fighting the puck in a 4-3 shootout loss to the host Montreal Canadiens in late October.

“In the Montreal game, I felt horrible,” said Brossoit. “I got a little better as it went and it ended up being 29 shots and three goals. So, it was not my worst statistical game out of all of them (up to that point), but it was the worst I felt. Then we came out with a point. Then, there’s the San Jose game (2-1 defeat, Dec. 12) when I felt great and we don’t get a point. It’s funny how that works.”

Things started to feel better for Brossoit in a game against the Arizona Coyotes on Nov. 18, though the low shot volume made it tough to fully appreciate the incremental step forward. Despite allowing a goal from a tough angle against the Nashville Predators, Brossoit was otherwise solid in a 3-2 loss on Nov. 26.

“In Arizona, I felt back to normal but I only got 18 shots, so it’s hard to see it. Then Nashville, I felt good too,” said Brossoit, 30. “One brain fart, where I didn’t see the puck in the corner, assumed that no one is going to throw that on net. Of course, that’s the game-winner. It’s a game of inches and we’re defined by our goals (against) as goalies. The process was good in that game.

“It’s all about getting into a rhythm and playing, just the little details like that. Any other time after that Nashville game, I’m in my posts, whether I see it or not. That’s kind of just Goalie 101. The little details that we’re still getting ironed out at the start of the season.”

Since Dec. 1, Brossoit is 4-1, he’s given up eight goals in those five starts and is sporting a .952 save percentage.

Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty didn’t want to dive too deeply into the specifics when asked for his thoughts on the turnaround.

“He made a few adjustments and it shows,” said Flaherty. “He’s been dynamite for us.”

In a season during which goaltending has been a hot-button topic in many markets and there are plenty of teams looking for an upgrade, Brossoit hasn’t gotten bogged down in any speculation about where his next contract might come from — even if some friends and family members have peppered him with questions.

“I keep myself pretty disconnected from the media, but family and friends, whenever you talk to them, they’re like, ‘Have you heard they’re looking for a goalie?’ You can’t focus too much on that stuff.”– Laurent Brossoit

“It’s hard not to. I’d be lying if I said that you don’t hear about those things,” said Brossoit. “I keep myself pretty disconnected from the media, but family and friends, whenever you talk to them, they’re like, ‘Have you heard they’re looking for a goalie?’ You can’t focus too much on that stuff. You’ve just got to do the best you can do in the position that you’re in because that’s not in my control. If I’m going to worry about that, I’ve got bigger issues.”

Besides, the Jets aren’t interested in trying to turn Brossoit’s strong play for an asset prior to the deadline because he’s on an expiring contract. Not only is he a valuable insurance policy, he’s a perfect complement as a goalie partner for Hellebuyck, both in terms of personality and ability.

There’s been no drop off whatsoever on the nights where Brossoit’s number is called and that’s a testament to the hard work he’s put in.

Right now, his focus is to see if he can add another ring to his collection as an important member of the supporting cast.

“That would be cool, very cool,” said Brossoit. “The ultimate goal is to do it as the starter. That’s still the goal, but if I can help this team go as far as I can and we can win the championship and we’re considered the best tandem in the league, that’s good for the team and it’s good for the individual. That’s kind of the goal for this year.”

In a chat last week, Hellebuyck provided a full endorsement of Brossoit reaching his goal in the near future.

“I just think the world of him. He’s a phenomenal goalie. Without a doubt, he should be a starter in the league and just his health last year is the only reason that he’s not,” said Hellebuyck. “He’s a Stanley Cup champion for a reason.”

NOTES — The Blue Jackets are without winger Patrik Laine, who has been plagued by injury this season and has six goals and nine points in 18 games. Fellow former Jets forward Jack Roslovic is dealing with some challenges of his own, notching two goals and nine points in 19 games and he’s just returning from a fractured ankle… With the Jets home for an extended stretch of games, it will be interesting to see if this is the week defenceman Ville Heinola could be assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League to get him some game action after he missed the first 39 NHL games of the campaign with a fractured ankle… Connor Hellebuyck was named the NHL’s third star of the week. He posted three consecutive victories, registering a 1.68 goals-against average and .937 save percentage.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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