Jets set sights on Hendricks’ old team

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2018 (2716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Matt Hendricks figured he might win a Stanley Cup one day with the Nashville Predators.

Nearly five years later, he’s still gunning for that elusive NHL championship — this time with the Winnipeg Jets, who need to send the Predators packing to keep that dream alive.

Hendricks, who was drafted by the Predators in 2000 but had a relatively brief stop there 13 years later, acknowledges it’s funny how things come full circle during a long hockey career.

“I always felt like there was some unfinished business. I wanted to get back there for that reason. I liked their style of play. I liked that they had some very key pieces, pieces that could win a Stanley Cup, and I wanted to be a part of that. It was a no-brainer signing there,” Hendricks said Wednesday.

The veteran centre is the only guy with the Jets who understands a bit about what the Nashville organization endured to finally get to a Cup final a year ago and position itself for another run this season.

He was with the Predators for more than half the 2013-14 season, sharing the locker room with the likes of goalie Pekka Rinne, defencemen Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm, and forwards Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith, all still major contributors for Nashville.

There wasn’t much of an easy feeling in Music City that year under coach Barry Trotz. Rinne was plagued by a hip injury and the squad fell short of qualifying for the post-season.

Despite signing a four-year contract worth US$7.4 million July 2013, Hendricks wasn’t around long enough to aid in the Predators’ reversal of fortune. He was dealt after 44 games to the Edmonton Oilers for goalie Devan Dubnyk, considered to be a suitable fill-in for the hobbled Rinne.

“I guess if you’re ever grateful to an organization for anything, that would be one of the points for sure,” said Hendricks, referring to the long-term financial security he gained for his family when Nashville GM David Poile signed him. “We had a tough year for sure, because we lost Pekka. We had a hard time finding wins that year. I got moved to Edmonton for Dubnyk, and I understood why that was happening. They wanted to try and get a No. 1 goalie in there. There’s definitely no hard feelings there.

“I enjoyed my time in Edmonton, especially the way it ended in terms of making the playoffs (with the Oilers in 2016-17), but it helped my career being (in Nashville).”

Hendricks’ participation in the upcoming series depends entirely on the health of his teammates. With 12 able-bodied forwards, the 36-year-old product of Blaine, Minn., will likely watch the series against his former club from the press box.

But his worth to the Jets comes in his off-ice contribution during the playoffs with his experience and character, and serving as a role model for young players in terms of preparedness and mental toughness.

He also understands what kind of battle the squad is in for against Nashville.

“They’re a hungry team. Give them a ton of credit for the way they played in the regular season, but this is the time of year where, in their minds, they have some unfinished business,” said Hendricks, who is on a one-year deal after signing with Winnipeg last fall.

“They played us extremely hard all during the regular season, so it’s going to be a good matchup. It’s going to be a heck of a series.”

Sick bay

Winnipeg’s scoring machine, Patrik Laine, missed practice Wednesday morning but head coach Paul Maurice believes he’ll be ready to go for Game 1.

The Jets meet the Predators in Nashville in the opener of their second-round NHL playoff series. Game time tonight at Bridgestone Arena is 7 p.m.

“Patty didn’t miss out on anything… maybe 25 minutes,” said Maurice, referring to the short on-ice session at the downtown rink.

“He’ll be fine. He’s in the same boat as everybody else, but I have an expectation that he’ll be there.”

Laine left practice early both Sunday and Monday, although what ails the 20-year-old Finnish-born forward hasn’t been divulged.

Meanwhile, forward Joel Armia skated in a yellow no-contact jersey. He was hurt against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 of the first round, and his injury is a day-to-day thing. Veteran defenceman Toby Enstrom and back-up goalie Steve Mason were in regular practice jerseys.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPJasonBell