Following their 6-3 win last night in Vancouver the Jets are in Calgary today for practice as they prepare to face the Flames in the second game of this four-game road trip.
Pre-practice news:
Kristian Vesalainen has been reassigned by the Jets back to the Moose of the AHL. A curious move considering the last week for the Jets top pick from the 2017 entry draft. (Update: Hear the comments from Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff below).
Practice notes:
As per Ken Wiebe the status quo remains with no changes to the lines and D pairs. Sami Niku and Brendan Lemieux remain the extras.
Jets lines, D pairs and goalies:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Little-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Tanev
Petan-Roslovic-Perreault
Extras: Lemieux
Morrissey-Trouba
Chiarot-Byfuglien
Morrow-Myers
Extra: Niku
Hellebuyck & Brossoit
Player Audio:
Adam Lowry
Patrik Laine
Mathieu Perreault
Coach audio:
Paul Maurice: On the Jets having some fun in practice. What was special about Laine’s hat trick last night? What made him put Kyle Connor on the 2nd line? On Laine adding a Jagr element to his game. How much did playing a few games with Lowry/Tanev help Laine get his game to where it needed to be? Was playing with Lowry/Tanev like getting a 5 on 5 tutor for Laine? On the Jets preparation for the Flames. On the recent coaching changes. Does he have any personal experience with a young player going to Europe who got better? Is it a “good” problem to have with this much talent on the roster that Vesalainen may go back?
GM audio:
Kevin Cheveldayoff: On the Vesalainen contract situation. Is it his expectation that Vesalainen is going back to Europe? Will he be available for recall? At the conclusion of the KHL season will he be available? Does the World Juniors factor in? Would he like to see Vesalainen play in the World Juniors? On Vesalainen choosing to go back to Europe vs playing big minutes in the AHL. Does he see benefits to Vesalainen playing in Europe? Was the hope that he would “want” to stay with the Moose. Is it “tougher” to keep an eye on him in terms of development since he will be in Europe. On clarity of the Jets recall on Friday. Is it possible he plays a few more games with the Moose?
All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
Up next:
Jets face the Flames on Wednesday night with an “AM skate” getting underway at 1:30 PM CST and puck drop at 9 pm.