3 Takeaways from the Winnipeg Jets' First 3 Preseason Games – Hockey Writers –

The Winnipeg Jets are halfway through their six-game preseason and there's been plenty to glean from their first three games. Here, we'll dive into three takeaways from the contest against the Minnesota Wild and a pair against the Edmonton Oilers.

1: Arniel and the New Coaching Staff Begin to Separate

While it may not be wise to read too much into preseason plans and player promotions considering the number of young prospects getting action and how much players can change from one game to the next, some decisions and moves are worth noting. There have been a few clear instances already of new coach Scott Arniel and his new assistants in Dean Chynoweth and Davis Payne separating themselves from the Rick Bowness era.

Using Nikolaj Ehlers on the top unit for a new look power play unit; using Colin Miller more and the second unit on the power play; and using Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele on the penalty kill are new ideas that have already been tested.

Fans and pundits alike have held for years that Ehlers has been underutilized despite being one of the Jets' strongest players and one of the best players statistically. He rarely gets time for a high-powered play unit, especially used on the second unit in history to get 30 seconds or less on any man advantage — really, a scrap of titme that doesn't let anyone do much of anything.

However, the Dane was approached by Payne – who recently committed to developing a pass-happy power play that finished 22nd in the league last season, to play a “big” position with a 1-3-1 setup. Arniel called the bumper a “very important spot” on the power play and having someone as gifted offensively as Ehlers in it should allow the Jets to generate high chances even if Connor and Scheifele — who got their first taste of preseason action in -September 25 against the Oilers – open.

Miller seems destined for an increased role with the departures of Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt. The defenseman has been ready for two of the three games, logging nearly 23 minutes against the Wild on Sept. 21 and just over 15 minutes against the Oilers on Sept. 25. Payne tapped the 31-year-old to dominate the second unit. and Miller looked good in the role, moving the puck well and blasting home a goal from the spot in each game.

It's unclear why Bowness used Miller so sparingly, playing him in only five games down the stretch and one playoff game, after general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff acquired him from the New Jersey Devils at the deadline. Miller has a shot bomb — he recorded the NHL's hardest shot in a game last season at 102.59 miles per hour and also won the American Hockey League All-Star Skills Competition for the hardest shot in 2015 when he let one go at 105.5 mph. Changes to the top unit and a heavy dose of Miller in the secondary could go a long way in helping the Jets pot more power play goals.

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The deployment of forwards Connor and Scheifele on the penalty kill is a sign Chynoweth — responsible for improving the kills that finished 21st last season — wants the state to use stronger tactics. The Jets' kill units of the past have often been passive, and having players with great speed and skill can put more pressure on opponents and possibly cut off some short field goals if they can otherwise get through with speed and space.

The Jets' penalty kill against the Oilers on Sept. 25 featured both players and killed all five of its interception situations.

2: Brad Lambert Looks Really Good

Of all the prospects the Jets have dressed for the first three games, Brad Lambert is the most high profile. After a solid 2023-24 season with the Manitoba Moose in which he led the team with 55 points and played a top-six role and top power play, the organization hopes the now 20-year-old center can take another big step forward.

The 2022 pick 30 overall is good for two games so far. He was held off the scoresheet against the Wild despite appearing and having three shots in nearly 20 minutes of ice time before having a good showing against the Oilers on Sept. 25 while centering the second line between Ehlers and Vladislav Namestnikov. Not only did he score two points – including a power-play snipe in the third period – but he also had a nice drive to the net that opened up space for Ehlers to score the game-opening goal, saved a penalty, and was named the game's second star. . He was the third-highest impact Jet, according to HockeyStatCards' GameScore Impact Card.

The battle for the second row field vacated by Sean Monahan appeared to be a four-man race between Lambert, Namestnikov, Cole Perfetti, and Gabriel Vilardi. However, it looks like Vilardi will start the campaign as a starting right winger alongside Connor and Scheifele, while new signing Perfetti is more likely to be deployed on the wing as he played most of last season.

That leaves the battle between the veteran and the rookie. Namestnikov doesn't have a lot of skill, but he's a solid arm who has been versatile and effective in a variety of roles up and down the lineup. Lambert is set to play again on Friday, September 27 against the Wild, and if he performs well again, Arniel and company will be hard-pressed to leave him out of the opening night lineup. If Arniel were to knock Namestnikov down, the second line of Lambert, Ehlers, and Perfetti could be quite an electric trio. It's something you should at least look into.

3: Kahkonen Seems to Have Inside Track on Backup Goalie Gig

Sometimes, preseason use can mean a lot.

The fact that Kaapo Kahkonen got two of three starts, and didn't split time with any of his backups, shows that the organization is giving him every opportunity to earn a backup role behind Connor Hellebuyck.

Kahkonen, who signed in free agency on a one-year contract, got the call against the Wild and again on Sept. 25 against the Oilers. His first start has not gone well as he has allowed five goals on 28 shots and may be looking for a fourth and fifth goal back to back. The 28-year-old Finn quickly recovered, however, as he stopped 26 of 27 Oilers shots at him and it was 3:28 left before Connor Brown lost a shot as the Jets went up 6- 0. Another caveat is that Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch fielded a small team without Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Connor McDavid.

Comrie, acquired in free agency on a two-year deal, started on the road against the Oilers on Sept. 22 and looked respectable, making 25 of 28 stops in a 3-2 overtime loss. None of the aforementioned four Oilers stars are ready for that tournament.

Arniel pointed out that Vezina-Trophy winner Hellebuyck will get two and a half games before the regular season, so there isn't much time for Comrie to enter the goaltending battle. It appears the organization is high on Kahkonen, who despite being younger, has more NHL experience (139 games to 57 games.) And it's possible the organization feels Kahkonen might want to be waived if he's dealt to Moose rather than Comrie , (although. Comrie was claimed off waivers twice when the Jets tried to send him to Moose early, by the Arizona Coyotes in 2019 and the Devils in 2021.)

Preseason continues

The Jets are back in action tonight (September 27) in Minnesota against the Wild. They will then return home to face the Calgary Flames on Oct. 2 before traveling to Calgary for a rematch on Oct. 4 to wrap up their preseason slate. Keep following Hockey Writers for more on the Jets and every other NHL team.