Winnipeg Jets Practice Report

After a day off on Sunday the Jets are back in business at Bell MTS Place as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first of two games back at home.  The status of Andrew Copp may become a bit clearer after the Jets forward was knocked out of Friday’s game with a concussion.

Moose news:

There was some thought that Marko Dano would be recalled but he was skating with the Manitoba Moose today as they practice for the final time in Winnipeg before heading to California.

Pre-skate news:

In the category of least surprising news you’ll hear all day Jets sniper Patrik Laine was named NHL First Star of the Week.  Just prior to this news being released the team revealed who the 5th and 6th inductees into their Hall of Fame would be and also announced that they would be wearing the Heritage uniforms twice this season.

Practice notes:

According to Jamie Thomas of Jets TV the players missing today from skate are Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp.

Audio:

Patrik Laine

Mathieu Perreault

Coach Maurice:  Reflecting on Laine’s First Star of the Week.  Why are Laine/Little working now when it hadn’t previously?  Update on players not participating in practice today.  Is this the first extended stretch that Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine have played together?  Does he wish he used that combo last season?  Is there a huge difference in Laine’s game now than pre-Helsinki?  On Laine chasing most goals in a month record.  How many times has he been called Rocket in the last day or two?  On much did playing on the 3rd line impact Laine’s play?

All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Health news:

Coach Maurice indicated that Byfuglien and Trouba who missed skate today are both fine.  With respect to Copp who was knocked out of Friday’s game the Jets bench boss added “Andrew’s got the concussion, moving forward with it positively.  There hasn’t been a setback.  But we are as patient as you need to be with this.”.

Up next:

The Jets will face the Penguins tomorrow night here in Winnipeg.  Morning skate gets underway at 10:30 AM and puck drop is at 7 pm.