Laine’s potential pre-season debut will not be televised

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

It’s a made-for-TV event: the highly anticipated debut of rookie sensation Patrik Laine in a Winnipeg Jets uniform.

But… if Laine does indeed suit up tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, there will be no TV audience to watch it. The pre-season game won’t be on TSN, which will be otherwise occupied a few kilometres away at Investors Group Field, broadcasting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers-Edmonton Eskimos CFL game from coast to coast.

The Jets haven’t confirmed Laine will be in the lineup, but the odds are pretty good after he sat out the first two exhibition games leaving only four to go after tonight’s tilt.

The Jets have already heard some concerns from fans aware of the issue. The club says the game will be available on the TSN GO app on their smartphones, tablets and computers using the in-house video feed accompanied by the TSN 1290 radio broadcast.

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They won’t use the term “kid gloves” but it’s clear the Jets are handing Laine’s first days with the team rather delicately. It’s not a surprise given the culture shock the 18-year-old is no doubt experiencing as he makes the transition to life as an NHL player in a major media market.

Assistant coach Jamie Kompon said the Jets haven’t rushed Laine into game action, opting to focus on getting him acclimatized first.

“Patrick, I think it’s a lot, he’s getting familiar with his surroundings and teammates, pace of practice, what we expect from him. I think the testing day the other day took a lot out of a young kid,” Kompon said after Thursday’s training camp skate at the MTS Iceplex.

Laine was noticeable during the afternoon scrimmage, setting up the first goal for his team. He ripped a hard snapshot rookie goalie Mikhail Berdin just got a piece of, but the rebound was swatted in by Joel Armia. It certainly caught the attention of his coach.

“His practice was really impressive today. We see a lot of good things, a lot of good habits,” said Kompon.

He said pairing Laine in practice with Armia was by design, as the two Finns would likely find some chemistry both on and off the ice.

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Five players with injuries missed Thursday’s camp workouts. Shawn Matthias, Anthony Peluso, Patrice Cormier and Ryan Olsen are all considered day-to-day. Kompon is hoping all four could return to the ice this weekend. Brendan Lemieux is listed as week-to-week after getting hurt in the Young Stars tournament in B.C. earlier this month.

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Kompon also revealed the first round of cuts may come Saturday. The Jets have 60 players in camp and will only have four remaining exhibition games after tonight’s contest at the MTS Centre. Players sent down to the AHL won’t have to travel far, as the Manitoba Moose begin their training camp Monday at the MTS Iceplex.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca