The big news of the day is that Patrik Laine has graduated from skating with the Jets fitness director to joining his teammates on the ice in a non-contact sweater. Brian Munz of TSN 1290 Winnipeg reports these are the lines, D pairs and goalies from today’s skate at MTS Centre:
Perreault-Little-Wheeler
Ehlers-Scheifele-Stafford
Matthias-Lowry-Armia
Copp-Petan-Thorburn
Morrissey-Byfuglien
Enstrom-Trouba
Stuart-Postma
Pavelec
Hellebuyck
Extras: Laine (yellow non-contact), Tanev & Melchiori.
Audio:
Patrik Laine: How is he feeling? Is he symptom free now? What does he remember about the hit? How did he feel immediately after that hit? What were his concussion symptoms? What did that clear? Good sign for him to be able to get back into the rink? Any thoughts as to when he may get to play next? How excited is he to be an All-Star? Has he ever had a concussion before? How much does he worry about it happening at such a young age? On how much the team is missing him. Has he had the change to learn from up top?
Nikolaj Ehlers: On being moved to the 4th line, how did he feel about it? What does he feel has been lacking in his game? On using his speed without the puck. Thoughts on seeing Laine out on the ice. Importance of keeping what they did against the Coyotes going against the Blues.
Ondrej Pavelec: How was the day off as they get ready to play the Blues? How much does it help to have NHL shots in practice to get him ready for an NHL game?
Coach Maurice: Seeing Laine on the ice. On the next steps for Laine. On having Laine on the PK. How has the team dealt without Laine’s goals? Do they treat Laine’s progression any differently? On being able to ensure the player is actually ready to go again. On where they decide to identify an injury or not and why they give specifics or not. Are guys less likely to be targeted in specific places? On how he make comments about certain players to the media (Ehlers vs. Byfuglien for example). On facing the Blues. Does seeing NHL shots for a few practices help Pavelec get ready?
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
