Before the season officially begins, the Winnipeg Jets have some gaps to cover on both the offensive and defensive ends.
They lost winger Tyler Toffoli and second-line center Sean Monahan to free agency, while talented center-winger Cole Perfetti, a restricted free agent, has not yet signed a new contract.
This makes room for young players like Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Nikita Chibrikov, and others to break into the starting lineup.
At the most recent Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia, Chibrikov, 21, has already had a spectacular start, tallying two goals and dishing out two assists.
“Yeah, it’s more confidence for me,” Chibrikov remarked following the Jets’ opening practice at Hockey For All Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday. The team will play their first preseason game on Saturday, playing the Minnesota Wild.
“I feel more at ease. Everything has improved. My language, my thoughts, my hockey, and my life off the ice.”
During the course of 70 games with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League last season, the winger recorded 47 points and 17 goals.
“Well, I feel fine. I’m prepared to move forward,” Chibrikov declared. “I just try to work hard, play to the best of my abilities, and do everything I can for the team. When I play well, the goals find me.”
The five-foot-nine, 160-pound Russian player also participated in the final Jets regular-season game of the previous season, where he scored his first NHL goal and showed great perseverance.
“I’m not the biggest size but I try to do all the work that big guys do,” stated the man. “For me, it makes no difference. I think I should block shots or stand in the corners. That is unimportant.
“I am aware of its inclusion in the game and program. I try to be a lot [more fun], a really good guy on the ice, and to make a difference.”
Roster spots still unclaimed
The Jets also lost veteran defensemen Nate Schmidt (bought out) and Brenden Dillon (free agency), which creates at least one roster space available for players like Ville Heinola, Elias Salomonsson, Colin Miller, and others.
The 23-year-old Heinola actually made it into the team the previous season before breaking his ankle.
He remarked, “It’s an exciting time for me.”
There are certainly a few opportunities available to me. It has no effect on my mentality. Every year, my desire to join the team and take over someone else’s work is the same. This year, I just want to play well and make the team.
“It’s unfortunate that injuries are a common occurrence in this sport. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and the body is in good shape. All I want is to be able to enjoy my game without having to worry about getting hurt or anything else.”
The six-foot, eighteen-one-pound Finn also concentrated on bulking up so he could be more physically active.
Defenseman Josh Morrissey stated, “Obviously, the guys that were moving on were great teammates.” “They were seasoned players with a plenty of league experience. I’m happy about the opportunity that some other guys will now have.
“How that shakes out I don’t know, but there are some guys that look great here at the start of camp and will have some opportunities to either elevate their role or make the jump to the big leagues.”
‘Good summer of training’: GM
Kevin Cheveldayoff, the general manager, stated that the young players should be eager for the task of making the team after the Jets’ departure and his inability to attract veterans to replace them.
“A lot of them had a good summer of training,” he stated.
In many situations, we were able to see them at development camp in the middle of summer. That’s kind of the purpose of the development camp, to see what kind of work has been done during the summer at training camp and to kind of get a baseline of where certain people are at. It is evident that many men have dedicated significant time to their work.”
At a team dinner on Wednesday night, new Jets head coach Scott Arniel threw down a challenge to the new men.
“There are opportunities, as I told them last night,” Arniel remarked. “Through how they practise and the exhibition games themselves, guys will get a chance to play and show us what you have,”
“Go embrace who you are. Perform your best work. All of you will be seen in circumstances that you might not often be in and will demonstrate your abilities to us.”