Winnipeg Jets Practice Report

The Jets practice on Wednesday afternoon as they face off against a Sabres team that is following a similar schedule to them having played at home on Tuesday against the Bruins and then flying to Winnipeg today for the game against the Jets on Friday.

Skate news:

Nothing too radical today. Axel Jonsson-Fjällby was on the ice fresh off his emergency recall. About the only notable thing was in a sea of ‘fly the 48’ gloves NHL co-leader in goals Kyle Connor stood alone as he’s working in his heritage classic ones.

Lines and D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Gustafsson-AJF

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
Stanley

Hellebuyck & Brossoit

Player media interviews:

Coach media interview:

Topics:

1) What made Axel Jonsson-Fjällby a good recall candidate?
2) Similarities to Rasmus Kupari (:28)
3) Having back to backs at home (:52)
4) Did they make tweaks to the power play? (1:20)
5) Was it getting too stationary? (1:49)
6) Kyle Connor’s ability to find quiet ice (2:21)
7) What’s it do for the bench when a player makes a big shot block? (2:43)
8) Stacking the net (3:13)
9) Game slowing down for Cole Perfetti (3:41)
10) Reflecting on Perfetti up the middle (4:16)
11) Goalie plan this weekend? (4:41)
12) Update on Ville Heinola? (4:53)

Heinola update:

Assistant coach Brad Lauer didn’t have a timeline update on Ville Heinola. The smooth-skating Dman is back in Winnipeg and walking around after he had gone back to Finland following surgery to repair his fractured ankle suffered on the 5th of October in the final pre-season game against the Senators. He was asked how close Heinola is to skating:

“I think just seeing him around is great. I’m not sure the timeline with his injury, where he’s at right now. I know he’s made some good progress. But like I say it’s great to see him walking around without the crutches, without the chair and all that. So I’m hoping he’s getting close.”

Even when he gets back on the ice and up to speed you have to think he’ll be with the Moose for a stretch as they get his game conditioning up.

Up next:

The Jets will take on the Sabres tomorrow night. Start your day with the Morning Papers which will go live at 7 am on illegalcurve.com. Puck drop between Winnipeg and Buffalo will be at 7 PM CST. Don’t forget to join us after the game on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.