Jets’ defence a big part of offence

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This article was published 15/10/2024 (357 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s an old adage that the best offence is a good defence. The Winnipeg Jets appear eager to put that to the test in more ways than one.

Not only is the club keeping opponents at bay — just two goals allowed through three games — they’re also trying to activate the back-end in a big way.

Consider that in the most recent outing on Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg’s six defencemen combined for a whopping 35 shot attempts. Fourteen of those ended up on net, while the other 21 were either blocked or went wide.

To put that in perspective, Minnesota’s defenders had 17 total shot attempts.

“It’s part of what we’ve stressed as a group the last couple of years,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said Tuesday.

“I really like to make sure that our defence are being a part of the offence. When the other team has five guys packed in defensively, if you’re not having your D mobile, if you’re not having them getting the open ice, getting the spots, it doesn’t help our three forwards.”

Dylan Samberg has Winnipeg’s only goal from a defenceman through three games, but it seems like only a matter of time before that changes.

“We like to use our D whether that’s for the initial shot, or if it’s to spread out the opposition,” said Arniel. “Whether it’s jumping in the rush or it’s jumping in the cycle, that’s part of what they’re asked to do every night.”

Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo had a career-high 31 points last season under a similar aggressive approach and loves what he’s seen so far.

“In the O-zone, we like to keep the puck and get it back to us and be able to get some motion and create some confusion in the D-zone for the other team,” he said.

“I think it’s a huge part of our success if we can bring some offence.”

INJURY UPDATES: It’s hard to miss Logan Stanley at the best of times, considering his towering 6-7 frame. He was especially visible Tuesday as he hit the ice decked out in a bright yellow sweater and matching socks for his first team skate in nearly three weeks.

Stanley is working his way back from a knee injury suffered late in training camp that required surgery. The expectation is he would miss at least four weeks.

“He’s a guy that’s well-loved in here. We missed him,” said DeMelo.

“Really unfortunate injury for him. I know he was really looking forward to having a strong camp and kind of having a little bit of track to run with here. So it’s great to see him out there and we look forward to having him back. He’s a huge part of our team. Hopefully he can shed that yellow jersey and get some contact and get out there with the guys.”

Stanley was moving well considering the ailment and will likely spend the next week or so getting his conditioning back up.

“He kind of snuck into a couple of five-on five-drills that he wasn’t supposed to,” Arniel said with a chuckle.

“So it’s great to see him out there and we look forward to having him back… Hopefully he can shed that yellow jersey and get some contact and get out there with the guys.”– Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo

“But he’s too big of a target that I think everybody knew where he was all the time. But that’s the first day, and we don’t know tomorrow we might be stiff so, or we’ll just keep going day to day here. Nothing this weekend, obviously, but we’ll push this and see how he goes.”

The team’s other injured defenceman, Ville Heinola, has not yet resumed skating after undergoing surgery for an infected ankle the same week as Stanley. He’s been coming on to the ice in shoes following recent Jets skates to work on his stickhandling and shooting. A return prior to the end of October is unlikely.

Up front, forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan is in a walking boot after suffering a broken foot during a preseason game. He was originally put on waivers and assigned to the Manitoba Moose when he cleared, only to be recalled days later and put on injured reserve when the injury was detected. That allows him to still collect an NHL paycheque.

“He still isn’t on the ice yet and he’s still kind of still got a walking boot on, obviously, he’s still a little bit sore. We’re not even close on that one yet,” said Arniel.

Winnipeg is currently carrying 22 healthy skaters on the roster. A maximum of 23 is allowed by the NHL.

Arniel said he’d like to find a spot soon for the three players who have yet to suit up — backup goalie Eric Comrie, forward David Gustafsson and defenceman Dylan Coghlan.

“We’re going to find a way here,” he said. “It’s going to get busy here. I don’t want these guys coming out of training camp and not having a chance to play. Then it’s sort of a start all over process. We’re going to work at getting them in.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg