Daily Faceoff | Chat with Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel covering Rick Bowness, Lowry as captain, future of Ehlers and more

Video Description:
Winnipeg turns to Scott Arniel to get them over the hump. Frank is joined by newly named Jets head coach Scott Arniel to discuss his relationship with Rick Bowness (5:00), understanding where the team fell short last season (7:45), what he’s picked up since his last head coaching job (11:00), the importance of Adam Lowry (15:00), and the future of Nikolaj Ehlers (20:15).

Audio:

Topics:
4:33 – The emotions of getting another chance to return to head coaching, and to do it in Winnipeg
6:06 – Why is he the right guy for the job?
8:50 – Assessing where the team fell short in the playoffs this season
10:10 – Studying trends that emerge with successful teams in the playoffs
12:02 – Learning from his last tour of duty as head coach
14:20 – Veteran coaches around the league who’ve been helpful along the way
15:57 – The importance of Adam Lowry stepping up as captain
17:59 – Going from an associate to head coach
19:56 – Is there a bigger summer for another other than Cole Perfetti?
21:14 – The future of Nikolaj Ehlers
23:07 – Is there anything on his summer wish list?

Some of the notable comments:

1. “One thing about Nik, he’s a game breaker. If you’re gonna get through 82 games and try to eliminate 8 teams in your conference and get in the playoffs, you need those guys, he’s the type of guy who can break games open”. Scott Arniel on Nikolaj Ehlers.

2. “…he always has a spot in our top six…for me as a coach. I want him. I need him. I need that offence. I need that speed. The speed is probably the biggest factor for us…”. Scott Arniel, while recognizing Nikolaj Ehlers contract status, spoke about his need for number 27.

3. “….you could tell amongst his teammates that Adam was the guy that they all kinda deferred to”. Also spoke about off ice stuff he does with young players, charity work in Wpg, etc. “He is the ultimate captain” Scott Arniel on Jets captain Adam Lowry.

4. Scott Arniel also made sure to mention Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey when speaking about leadership. “Those three guys really took over that dressing room”. Acknowledged other veterans helped steer the ship but said above trio “pushed us forward”.

5. “…I told him It’s a long career. You’re an NHL player now. You’ve proven to yourself and to everybody else you’re an NHL player, use this as part of that growth, that learning curve moving forward”. Scott Arniel on Cole Perfetti’s ups & downs this season. Said he thinks Perfetti had “handled it well” and thinks for next season “he’s going to be that much better”

6. “…..he needs to be in our top six. That’s where we envision him. That’s where he needs to play and I think next year you’ll see him getting a lot more of that opportunity.”. Scott Arniel on where Cole Perfetti needs to play.