WINNIPEG – Nate Schmidt can laugh about it now, but when he thinks back to Tuesday’s practice – the one the players did not participate in the game against Ottawa that night skated in – he wasn’t thrilled.
“A little bit into camp, guys have an off day,” Schmidt said. “But it’s our job to make sure it’s not that way.”
Both groups on Wednesday seemed to have a renewed sense of focus, pace, and execution.
For 50 minutes, the players and coaching staff focused on rush defense, another phase of the game they haven’t quite got to – especially with games on two of the last three days.
“We talked about it before practice, we needed a sharper practice, and we got a sharper practice,” said head coach Rick Bowness. “Sometimes you come on the ice, a week into camp, and they’re really tired, mentally, physically. Sometimes you just need that little push.”
Video: CAMP | Nate Schmidt
For his part, Schmidt hasn’t played in a preseason game just yet. All the practice time isn’t getting the 31-year-old down, though.
“I just think my conditioning numbers were so good during camp, I didn’t need any extra games,” Schmidt laughed.
The defenseman will play in tomorrow’s tilt with the Montreal Canadiens, which takes place at the Bell Center and will be the second of three road games on the preseason schedule.
Schmidt et al Sam Gagner are the only two veterans that have yet to play in an exhibition game, and with Schmidt’s willingness to jump in the game and make things happen offensively, he can’t wait to put some of the new systems to work when he gets his chance.
“I think every day that we’ve gone through video, every day that we’ve sat and looked at what we want to do, a little piece gets added each day.”
LINE RUSHES
Group 1:
Gagner-Dubois-Reichel
Harkins-Gustafsson-Appleton
Polei-Lucius-Stenlund
Malott-Maier-Jones
Barron (non-contact)
Stanley-Schmidt
Capobianco-Kovacevic
Chisholm-Gawanke
Bauer
Video: CAMP | Rick Bowness
Group 2:
Connor-Scheifele-Ehlers
Perfetti-Lowry-Wheeler
Maenalanen-Toninato-Eyssimont
Limoges-Nikkanen-Torgersson
Lambert rotating in
Morrissey-Lundmark
Dillon-Heinola
Samberg-Pionk
Sautner-DeMelo
DEVELOPING CHEMISTRY
Last night’s preseason game was the first time Mark Scheifele had a chance to work with his linemates Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Throughout their careers, their time as a trio has been very limited, but it seems to be a look that Bowness could start the season with.
Video: CAMP | Mark Scheifele
As the center with two speedy skaters on his wings, Scheifele says there is definitely an adjustment.
“They like to try things and they like to play a high-paced game, so it’s a lot to take in,” said Scheifele. “As a centerman, sometimes you have to know when I have to slow it down and understand if they’re above (me) and when to speed it up. That’s the biggest challenge for me, picking those times. When to speed it up and when to slow it down. That’s just kind of part of the work in progress.”
They played 13:52 together at five-on-five against Ottawa (according to Natural Stat Trick) and could get another look together in the preseason.
“The thing I’m trying to work with them on, how do we all bring out the best in each other? That’s what good lines do,” said Scheifele. “I’m a big possession guy. You could call Nikky (Ehlers), he’s very dangerous off the rush, very dynamic when he has the puck on the rush and I think bringing it all together and being able to be good in all aspects offensively and then also button it down when we’ve got to button it down defensively, that’s all a work in progress.”
BOUNCING BACK
Logan Stanley has moved past a tough finish to the 2021-22 campaign.
Ideally, he wanted to build off a 2020-21 season that saw him play his first 37 games of NHL regular season action, and an additional eight games in the postseason.
However, just four games after the holiday break (which was extended due to pandemic related postponements for the Jets), Stanley sustained an injury against Nashville on Jan. 20, and then had his own bout with COVID shortly after returning.
Video: CAMP | Logan Stanley
Needless to say, he’s happy for a fresh start this fall.
“I wasn’t happy with the way I played and I took that into the summer,” Stanley said. “I’ve got a lot to prove this year. I’m excited and it’s going to be a good year.”
The size that the 2016 first round pick brings to the ice is well documented. Every off-season that he can remember, he’s worked on his foot speed.
This summer, in addition to that, he worked on building his skills to become a more complete player.
“When I’m moving and making plays and stuff like that, that’s when I’m playing well,” Stanley said. “(I’m) working on handling the puck, moving the puck and just getting bigger and stronger and a little more powerful, getting the cardio up – just things like that to try and round out the whole game.”
He’s well aware he’s in a battle for a spot on the Jets blue line, and he welcomes that.
Depth is never a bad thing, and the Jets have a lot of it on defense.
“Every day you’ve got to come to work and try and show that you deserve to be on that opening-night roster,” Stanley said. “That will be the mindset that I have for the rest of camp and tomorrow night (in Montreal) for sure.”
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