Burmistrov takes aim at bigger role

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This article was published 29/09/2016 (3289 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Don’t tell Alexander Burmistrov he’s in a battle for one of the few remaining bottom-six forward spots with the Winnipeg Jets.

He’s aiming higher. Much higher.

“It’s a big year for me. I’m going to do everything I can. I’m going to try and be a top-six player on this team this year,” a clearly confident Burmistrov told the Free Press Thursday before he suited up for his first pre-season game of 2016-17.

The top two lines for the Jets would appear to be set in stone, with Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mathieu Perreault, Drew Stafford, Brian Little and Patrik Laine likely to see duty in those prominent roles.

That would leave Burmistrov amongst at least a dozen players — many with NHL experience — fighting for the remaining spots and playing time. But Burmistrov isn’t conceding anything.

“I want to play more time, more minutes. It’s a real battle for that spot, and power-play time as well. It’s going to be good competition. That’s why we have exhibition games,” he said.

Burmistrov was drafted in the first round, eighth overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers in their final season in 2010 prior to moving to Winnipeg. He was thrown into the fire, playing 74 games that first season, scoring six goals and adding 14 assists.

The sky was thought to be the limit for his potential. But it hasn’t exactly panned out that way.

Burmistrov played two seasons in Winnipeg before bolting to Russia and playing in the KHL. It was no secret he and former Jets head coach Claude Noel often weren’t on the same page. Coach Paul Maurice convinced Burmistrov to return to North America prior to last season. In 2015-16, Burmistrov played 81 games, scoring seven goals and 14 assists — virtually identical numbers to his rookie campaign.

Overall, he’s played in 275 regular-season games, with 30 goals and 49 assists. That’s resulted in Burmistrov being tabbed as more of a defensive specialist, someone who can play in the bottom six of the lineup while killing penalties. Burmistrov insists he has much more to offer.

“I don’t want any more talk from the fans and the people about how I’m really good defensively. I know I can kill penalties, but I got drafted to be an offensive player and that’s my role,” he said.

Burmistrov had a solid first game Thursday playing on a line with Perreault and rookie Kyle Connor. He assisted on the Jets’ fourth goal of the night, recorded three shots and finished the game plus-3.

Burmistrov has also been spending some time with rookie goalie and fellow Russian Mikhail Berdin, whom the Jets selected in this summer’s entry draft.

“Really good kid. Shy, doesn’t speak English at all. On the ice, he’s impressed everybody,” said Burmistrov. “I’m trying to leave him alone with the younger guys. I want him to learn a little bit of English.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca