Winnipeg Free Press
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/Jets-kick-off-2015-training-camp-at-MTSIceplex-328196151.html
Veteran centre Little shifted to right side as Maurice concocts new front line
By: Ed Tait
There’s a bit of mad scientist in every coach. And Paul Maurice has likely been rubbing his
hands together about attempting this experiment since April’s playoffs.
The Winnipeg Jets coach put theory into practice on Day 1 of training camp Friday, moving
Bryan Little from centre to right wing on the Jets top line and having Adam Lowry step into the
No. 1 pivot role with Andrew Ladd on the other flank.
The move, as temporary or long term as it may be, does represent a few things: Little’s
versatility, the club’s belief Lowry can continue his evolution into an elite centre and Maurice’s
desire to have a flexible and deep enough Top 9 to move those pieces around regularly.
"I just found out about it last week. It’s something (Maurice) mentioned to me," said Little after
the morning session. "I’ve played wing before. It’s practice, it’s training camp so it’s kind of
tough to gauge right now until we get into a game or a scrimmage.
"The way (Maurice) brought it up I think it’s more of a trial right now to see how it goes. Training
camp is the time of the year where you can experiment a bit and fool around with the lines. I’m
glad we’re doing it right now to see if it works out before the season gets started."
Little had 31 goals playing right wing in 2008-09 with the Atlanta Thrashers, but has been
exclusively a centre — the club’s No. 1 centre — the past four years in Winnipeg.
"I had the 30 goals the one year, the next year I had 13... which was my worst year," he said.
"That was six or seven years ago so it’s definitely been awhile since I’ve played the wing. But I
think for a centreman it’s definitely an easier adjustment getting switched to the wing than for a
winger to try and play centre."
The Jets have some options at centre with Lowry, Little, Mark Scheifele, Andrew Copp and Alex
Burmistrov, as well as Mathieu Perreault and Nic Petan. Moving Lowry up to the top line would
give the Jets a big body to match up against the likes of Anze Kopitar, Ryan Getzlaf and
Jonathan Toews in the Western Conference.
But it’s not like Little has struggled in that role, either. He’s considered one of the most
consistent but underrated players in the NHL and has matched up well defensively against most
centres.
"We’re going to look at two or three things in training camp," said Maurice. "And that was
something we saw last year... when Bryan got injured, Adam went into the middle with Ladd and
Mike Frolik and was really effective there. And I really liked the way he played in the playoffs
under heavier competition.
"It’s an idea. We know that Bryan has been really productive on the wing and we think there’s a
chance he might be more productive on the wing. It’s something we want to look at and we’re
going to change that again — somewhere between Day 7 and Day 10 he’ll go back into the
middle and we’re going to look at a different unit. But without mixing these guys up too much, I’d
like to look at two or three different possibilities, because those things are going to happen
during the year. There’s going to be a point in time due to injury that you’re going to have to
adjust your lineup so the more we can look at going in the better."
The question now becomes, just what kind of offensive ceiling does Lowry have? He’s been
seen mostly as a third-line centre and had 11 goals and 12 assists in that role as a rookie last
season. In his final junior year with the Swift Current Broncos he did pot 45 goals and picked up
88 points in 72 games.
"It’s always nice to get the opportunity to play with two players like that," said Lowry. "Coming
into this year I wanted to expand my role and continue to get better and continue to develop.
Obviously there’s going to be greater expectations going into your second season in the NHL.
"Playing alongside those guys, at least to start, there’s going to be some expectations to
contribute right away."
THE JETS GO TO CAMP -- DAY 1
PLAYERS ON CAMP ROSTER: 55
PLAYERS IN CAMP FRIDAY: 50
MISSING: D Tyler Myers, D Grant Clitsome, D Jan Kostalek, C John Albert, G Jussi Olkinoura
Albert and Olkinoura have pre-existing injuries, while Myers has a minor issue. The team wants
him at 100 per cent before he gets back on the ice.
The news is not good at all, meanwhile, on Clitsome. He’s missed giant chunks of the last two
years with back problems and head coach Paul Maurice said he will not play in 2015-16 after he
did not pass his physical.
“It’s not a surprise to us and it’s our expectation he will not play hockey this year,” said Maurice.
NEWS OF THE DAY: Bryan Little was switched to the right side on the top line with Andrew
Ladd, as Adam Lowry was promoted to the No. 1 centre role on an experimental basis.
“Last year I was coming in trying to make an impression. I was trying to make the team,” said
Lowry. “Obviously I’m trying to make the team this year, but you have a little more confidence,
you know what it takes to play at this level and you have some confidence in your own ability.
As the season wore on last year I started to gain confidence, I started to make some more plays
and I thought my game started to go to another level later in the year. I want to continue to build
on that going into this camp.”
QUOTABLE: “We learned a lot as a group and an organization. We learned little things, good
things and bad things. It’s a new year, it’s a new team. Everyone’s on a new slate. We’ve got to
put our workboots back on and go try and do it again.” — Dustin Byfuglien on what last year
taught the team heading into this season.
FYI: Read too much into this at your peril, but Friday’s line combos: Group 1: Ladd-Lowry-Little;
Raffl-Petan-Thorburn; Lipon-Copp-Armia; Fraser-Olsen-Kosmachuk; Gennaro-Harkins-Lodge
Group 2: Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler; Perreault-Burmistrov-Ehlers; Halischuk-DeLeo-Lipon;
Brassard/Blomqvist-Cormier-Peluso/Spacek
TODAY’S SKED: Group 2: 9-10:30 a.m.; Group 1: Noon-1:30 p.m. at the MTS Iceplex; Fan
fest: 9-2 p.m
— Tait
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/Rookies--gotta-take-the-next-step328345721.html
Rookies gotta take the next step
Their time to impress is right now, at camp
By: Jeff Hamilton
Winnipeg Jets' head coach Paul Maurice talks to his players on opening day of the Jets NHL
hockey training camp Friday.
They spent the summer in the gym, mixed in gruelling on-ice sessions to improve their
quickness and hands, and were subjected to highly detailed diets aimed at putting on the right
kind of weight — anything that could give them an added edge come fall.
Now, for a number of Winnipeg Jets’ prospects, the hard work has finally begun, as Day 1 of
training camp kicked off Friday at the MTS Iceplex.
With a number of spots up for grabs with the exits of Michael Frolik, Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak
and Jim Slater, among others, the chance to impress head coach Paul Maurice and earn the
right to be called a Winnipeg Jet is officially underway.
That means for the likes of forwards Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrew Copp, Nic Petan, Brendan Lemieux
and Joel Armia, as well as defenceman Josh Morrissey, the coming weeks will be dedicated to
proving not only do they have what it takes to perform on hockey’s biggest stage, but that
they’re able to adapt to the hard-nosed style of play expected by their superiors.
If that wasn’t clear before practice, the message from head coach Paul Maurice to reporters
after Friday’s skate was a stern reminder they better be all-in on the buy-in or they won’t be here
very long.
"I don’t give a rat’s ass what their game is, they’ve come to play our game and that’s what
they’re going to learn here in these 30 days," said Maurice. "In general, the young players come
in and say ‘I just got to play my game’ and, you know, you’ve all seen Bull Durham, so there’s a
list of things they’ll say to you. But playing their game isn’t going help them make the team.
Playing our game makes the team."
Copp, the front-runner to take over fourth-line centre duties after the Jets opted not to sign
veteran Slater, feels his time is now. In the group of young talent he’s considered to be the most
NHL-ready at 6-1, 208 pounds.
"You want to obviously make the team," he said. "But at the same time, it’s almost a little nerveracking that you have that pressure on you. I can’t control the outcome, but I expect the best in
all that I do every day."
Petan is fresh off his fourth season with the Portland Winterhawks, where he scored 452 points
in 345 games. He put on 10 pounds this summer working out in Vancouver and now in his third
camp with the Jets, he feels ready to prove his worth.
"I know a lot more and I feel more confident," he said. "It definitely gives me a little extra, I
wouldn’t say pressure or nervousness, but just a little extra something; waking up every morning
knowing there’s a spot and you’re just fighting for it."
Petan can take some solace in knowing if the Jets don’t call his number, he’ll be able to
continue his development here in Winnipeg as a member of the Manitoba Moose. The same
can’t be said for Ehlers, who is still too young to be assigned to the AHL. Instead, he would
most likely have to return to junior with the Halifax Mooseheads. That pressure doesn’t faze the
Jets’ 2014 first-round pick.
"I’m not the biggest guy and I’ve always played against guys that were bigger than me, but this
is taking it to the next step and playing against real big guys," said Ehlers. "But you know what, I
think I’m ready for it. I can play a little bit tough as well. I want to be able to make those passes
and to be able to get in front of the net and put it in, so I’m going to do whatever I can to be able
to do that."
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/Byfuglien-328282601.html
No new deals no big deal to Buff, Ladd
Business as usual on the ice, in the room
By: Jeff Hamilton
As 50 bodies barrelled onto the ice at the MTS Iceplex for Day 1 of Jets training camp Friday,
contract extensions for Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien remained at a standstill.
Both are set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the upcoming season, a topic that
has become numero uno for fans and media since the Jets were swept by the Anaheim Ducks
in four straight games in the first round of the playoffs last spring.
And it hasn’t been for a lack of effort — or interest — deals have yet to be done. Both Ladd and
Byfuglien hinted Winnipeg would be a great place to continue their careers, each adding he
likes the direction the team is headed. But what happens in the boardroom is out of their hands.
"The day-to-day stuff, I don’t get involved in," Ladd said after Friday’s skate. "Obviously, my
agent keeps me informed of what’s going on and how the process is going. But it’s easier to put
it on the back burner now that we’re getting going. You can just focus on going to the rink every
day and on what we need to do on the ice.
"I’m sure both sides were hoping to have something done by now, but sometimes it just doesn’t
work out that way. There’s been good dialogue the whole time and they’ll continue to talk."
The fact Ladd hasn’t put pen to paper and doesn’t mind letting the process play out while
hockey is in full swing offers little reassurance to a fan base eager to have their captain return
for duty beyond the 2015-16 season. It’s even more troublesome when you consider much of
the talk this summer suggested a new deal for Ladd was much further along than one for
Byfuglien.
Byfuglien is fresh off a career year; a season in which he started at forward but was moved back
to defence after a slew of injuries to the back end. He was so dominant there he earned a nod
to the all-star game. But with an expected price tag higher than that of Ladd, the prospect of
testing the free-agent market and the possibility of really cashing in must look intriguing.
"I just come to work. I have people to take care of that, and they’re talking," said Byfuglien.
"There’s beautiful lakes and stuff around here. Everything is great. (Becoming a free agent)
would be a change. It would be different.
"I would love to stay here and be a Jet for (the rest) of my career, but business is business and
I’ve got to come to the rink and do my job every day. There are a few guys (on the Jets) who are
telling me to sign, but if it was that easy, it would be done."
Ladd and Byfuglien will both be in their 30s at the start of their next deal, and will surely be
looking for dollars and term. Both are also due for a raise. Ladd will earn US$4.5 million this
season and Byfuglien is on the books for $5.75 million.
As hot a topic as it has, is and will remain until something is done, head coach Paul Maurice did
offer up a ray of hope for Jets Nation, insisting workings off the ice won’t become a distraction to
what they’re trying to achieve on it.
"Not in the room, not how they practise, not in our world," said Maurice. "We love our players
and we want them all signed and we want them all happy. The business part of that doesn’t
come in our room."
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/Austrian-Raffl-giving-NHL-a-shot-withJets----328343481.html
Austrian Raffl giving NHL a shot with Jets
By: Ed Tait
One by one they peel off their hockey armour and then stand in front of the television cameras
and assembled media throng.
Some look like they shave every other week. Others look like they should be high school
freshmen. All have the bright eyes of youth chasing their NHL dream.
Then up steps left-winger Thomas Raffl, the 29-year-old Austrian sporting a Duck Dynasty
starter beard, a couple of sleeves of tattoos and the carved-in-stone physique of a decathlete.
He’s chasing his dream, too, even though he is 10 years older than some of the Winnipeg Jets
prospects.
Yes, Raffl might be a dark horse to crack the roster, but his story is one of the most compelling
at training camp. A fixture on the Austrian national team since 2007 — he was the captain last
spring at the worlds — Raffl has spent the last nine years playing pro in Austria and Sweden.
He took leave from playing with Salzburg this season to come to Jets camp — they were
impressed with his game at the worlds in May — after the club offered him a professional tryout
deal last month.
"From Europe it’s always hard," said Raffl on why it took so long for him to get this opportunity.
"I didn’t get drafted and I would have tried it earlier if there was chance. My agents have been
trying over the past couple of years. I’m just glad it showed up now and I can take a chance.
"The most interest (from NHL teams) came after the world championship. I talked to my agents
right after that and there was interest from a couple of teams. We had been discussing it all
summer long and nothing really particular came out of there, but four weeks ago the invitation
came from the Jets.
"It made me proud and it made me work even harder. I’m happy to be here."
Raffl does have the physical tools to grab attention: he is 6-4, 215 pounds and last year had 53
points in 52 games in Austria. There’s an NHL connection, too, with his brother Michael having
spent the last two years with the Philadelphia Flyers.
"Obviously we’ve been talking during the summer," said Thomas. "We’ve been working out
together. The only advice he gave me was keep working hard. He thinks I’ve got a chance at it
and now it’s on my shoulders."
Raffl said he hopes to make an impression as a player who is strong on the puck and
defensively responsible and "I’m going to be that guy that does everything for the team to win.
"I need to show I’m the right guy that fits on the team, that fits in that group. It’s not that I come
here and have to be unbelievable in front of the net. The team has a lot of guys that are good in
front. I have to be an overall good player and show the team I can be successful."
He also said he would be open to a two-way deal if he could earn it, and a deal could be worked
out with his Austrian club.
"Obviously I’m not here just for a one-way," he said. "I would take a two-way, too. I want to have
a chance at it. I want to be playing in the NHL. It’s a dream. I’ve had it since I was a kid and if I
have a chance now, I might as well use it."
Raffl’s biggest challenge in such a short camp will be to prove he can play an NHL-style game.
Where he might fit on the organizational depth chart is a discussion the club likely won’t have
until he takes some shifts in exhibition games.
But first impressions can be lasting.
"So," began Jets coach Paul Maurice. "First look at Thomas: real good hands, real good shot,
strong on the puck and he’s played a lot of pro hockey because he’s in the right spots and he
figures that out.
"I’m really interested in seeing, actually even the scrimmages, because it’s a completely
different style of game the NHL, how he uses those things when he’s going to play some in
exhibition games.
"I really like some of the things he does. Some of his game is at an NHL quality, but we’ll have
to see how... it all fits together."
Winnipeg Sun
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/09/18/winnipeg-jets-forward-bryan-little-keeping-open-mindabout-move-to-wing
JETS SNAPSHOTS: Forward Bryan Little keeping open mind about move to wing
BY KEN WIEBE, WINNIPEG SUN
Paul Maurice took some folks by surprise on Friday morning when he moved Bryan Little to the
right wing with Adam Lowry at centre and Andrew Ladd on the left side.
Little has been the Winnipeg Jets first-line centre since the franchise relocated and while he has
played on the wing before, those results were mixed.
“Yeah, I had the (31) goals the one year, the next year I had 13, which was my worst year,” said
Little, who was open to experimenting during training camp. “That was still six or seven years
ago, so it's definitely been a while since I've played wing. But I think for a centreman it's
definitely an easier adjustment to switch to the wing than for a winger to try to switch to centre.”
This isn't a demotion for Little, should the plan stick.
“It’s an idea. We know that Bryan has been really productive on the wing and we think there’s a
chance he might be more productive on the wing,” said Maurice, noting he planned to look at a
few other options during training camp and will likely move Little back to centre in a week or so.
It would appear as though Maurice is trying to free up Little offensively by taking away from of
the gruelling defensive responsibilities that come along with playing centre.
“Honestly, I haven't really had too much of a problem playing in the West. Everyone talks about
how it's this big, scary conference but our team and I have been doing just fine with it,” said
Little, who had 24 goals and 52 points in 70 games last season. “There might be situations
where wing might give me more opportunities to shoot the puck or have the puck more or be
more offensive but at the same time, it is a bit of an adjustment to go back after so long.”
RAFFL FINALLY TAKES HIS SHOT
One of the most intriguing players in camp is 29-year-old Austrian Thomas Raffl, who is taking a
shot at the NHL on a pro tryout offer after spending the past decade playing in Austria and
Sweden.
Raffl, whose brother Michael is a forward with the Philadelphia Flyers, had 26 goals and 53
points in 52 games for Salzburg last season.
“I obviously think I have a chance to play here, that’s why I got here. I’m here to play now,” said
Raffl. “You’re definitely going to see me strong on the puck, be defensively responsible. I need
to show that I’m the right guy that fits on the team, that fits in that group.
“I’m not here just for a one-way (contract). I would take a two-way, too. I want to be playing in
the NHL. It’s a dream. I’ve had it since I was a kid and if I have a chance now, I might as well
use it.”
Maurice said Raffl, who is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, would be getting a chance to show what he
can do during the pre-season.
BULL DURHAM
Maurice was in fine form when it was brought to his attention that several youngsters on the
bubble talked about the importance of playing “their game” in the pursuit for a roster spot.
“You know what fellas, give these guys a break, they're young, they haven't learned how to work
you yet,” said Maurice. “I don't give a rat's ass what they're game is, they've come to play our
game and that's what they're going to learn here in these 30 days. I love that line.
“You've all seen Bull Durham so there's a list of things they'll say to you. But playing their game
isn't going help them make the team, playing our game makes the team.”
CLITSOME LIKELY DONE
That crowded blue line is down one man already after Maurice confirmed Grant Clitsome has
failed his physical.
“That was not a surprise to us,” said Maurice. “It is our expectation that he will not play hockey
this season.”
Clitsome has undergone two back surgeries of the course of the past two seasons and his
career could be in serious jeopardy.
The Jets are expected to place Clitsome on long term injury reserve.
It's a tough break for Clitsome, who is entering the final season of a three-year deal that pays
him an average of $2.033 million per season.
Prior to the first surgery, the Jets were toying with the idea of using Clistome on a pair with
Dustin Byfuglien.
Clitsome, 30, had four assists in 24 games last season.
AROUND THE GLASS
Speaking of injuries, four other players missed Friday's on-ice sessions with various ailments,
including defencemen Tyler Myers and Jan Kostalek, forward John Albert and goalie Jussi
Olkinuora. Maurice said Kostalek is on the mend after taking an elbow to the head in the final
game at the Young Stars Classic last week and that Albert and Olkinuora had pre-existing
injuries that are getting better. As for Myers, it was nothing to be concerned about, even though
he wouldn't specify whether it was an upper or lower-body issue. “It's early. Save those
(questions). It's general body,” said Maurice, who pushed his players through a lengthy
conditioning skate on Friday. “It's a minor issue and I'm not letting him on the ice until he's 100
per cent. It's just a little tweak and we're careful with those things at this time of year.”...With
Lowry sliding into the middle with Ladd and Little, other units of note from Friday included Mark
Scheifele being back between Blake Wheeler and Drew Stafford and Alex Burmistrov working at
centre with Mathieu Perreault and Nikolaj Ehlers...The Jets will hold their second annual Fan
Fest at MTS Iceplex on Saturday as part of Day 2 of training camp.
[email protected]
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/09/18/byfuglien-just-comes-to-work
Dustin Byfuglien ‘just comes to work’ with Winnipeg Jets
The beauty of a scrum involving Dustin Byfuglien is that you never really know what you're
going to get.
If the Winnipeg Jets' blue-liner is concerned about his future, he certainly isn't showing it.
Speaking to local reporters for the first time since the Jets were eliminated from the playoffs by
the Anaheim Ducks last April, Byfuglien expressed his desire to stick around long-term but
conceded the prospect of becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer for the first time in
his career was intriguing.
One thing Byfuglien isn't concerned about is his contract talks becoming a potential distraction.
“I have people to take care of that and they're talking,” said Byfuglien, who had 18 goals and 45
points in 69 games last season. “There's beautiful lakes around here. Everything is great.
(Becoming a free agent) would be a change. It would be different. No, I would love to stay here
and be a Jet for (the rest) of my career, but business is business and I've got to come to the rink
and do my job every day.
“There are a few guys (on the Jets) who are telling me to sign, but if it was that easy, it would be
done.”
At the end of the day, Byfuglien's focus is on getting out of the gate strong.
“If I get off to a better start, it's only going to help me look better,” said Byfuglien. “I just have to
be myself and make sure that we're ready as a team and that we're going to go out there in the
same direction we were going last year.”
A strong start to the campaign could give Byfuglien additional some leverage or boost his
potential trade value, depending on how things play out.
Last season, Byfuglien opened the season as a right-winger but after a number of injuries, he
moved back to his natural position of defence in early December and began to flourish.
For several months, he was the Jets best player, a physical force who struck a balance with his
risk/reward game.
Byfuglien is definitely more at ease knowing he's going to be used on the point rather than up
front.
“I had a good summer of training and I've just got to go from there,” said Byfuglien. “It's fun to be
back in the locker room cracking some jokes.”
Getting back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago
Blackhawks in 2010 was a relief for Byfuglien, but an oblique injury prevented him from playing
at full speed.
“It's never easy. It's something that I wished I was healthy, but it's over with now,” said
Byfuglien. “We learned a lot as a group and as an organization. We learned little things, good
things and bad things. It's a new year, a new team and everyone is on a new slate. We've got to
put our work boots back on and try to do it again.
“The sky is the limit. The faster we come together, the better off we'll be.”
Byfuglien isn't the only high-profile member of the leadership group entering the final season of
a contract before potentially becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Captain Andrew Ladd, who had 24 goals and a career-high 62 points in 81 games last season,
finds himself in the same boat.
“It's easier to put it on the back-burner now that we're getting going and you can just focus on
going to the rink every day and on what we need to do on the ice,” said Ladd, who admitted he
was hoping to have the issue resolved before training camp but sounded relatively optimistic
about where things stand. “I'm sure that both sides were hoping to have something done by now
but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. There's been good dialogue the whole time and
they'll continue to talk.
“I just focus on playing hockey. For me, we're just trying to build on a lot of good things we did
last year. It's a lot of fun coming to the rink, knowing the expectations of what we want to do.”
Jets head coach Paul Maurice doesn't believe the unresolved contract situation will have an
impact on his club.
“Not in our world. We love our players and we want them all signed and we want them all
happy,” said Maurice. “The business part of that doesn't come in our room.”
That may be true, but the sooner something gets done, the better it would be for all involved.
Canadian Press
http://lethbridgeherald.com/sports/national-sports/2015/09/18/winnipeg-jets-coach-maurice-triesout-some-new-lines-on-first-day-of-camp/
Winnipeg Jets coach Maurice tries out some new lines on first day of camp
BY JUDY OWEN, THE CANADIAN PRESS ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2015.
WINNIPEG – Jets head coach Paul Maurice didn’t wait long to try out some new lines at training
camp.
He shifted longtime centre Bryan Little to right wing with sophomore centre Adam Lowry and
captain Andrew Ladd on the first day of camp Friday morning at the MTS Iceplex.
Maurice informed Little of the move last week and he’s OK with it.
“The way he brought it up, I think it’s more of a trial right now to see how it goes,” Little said. “I
think training camp is a time of the year when you can experiment a bit and fool around with the
lines, so I’m glad we’re doing it right now to see if it works out before the season gets going.”
Maurice said the switch was one of two or three he plans to try with the 55 players at camp, just
to be prepared in case injuries force changes during the season.
“We saw last year when Bryan got injured, Adam went into the middle with Ladd and (Michael)
Frolik and was really effective there,” Maurice said. “And I really like the way (Lowry) played in
the playoffs under heavier competition so it’s an idea.
“We know that Bryan has been really productive on the wing.”
About seven to 10 days into camp, Little will go back to centre and he’ll look at a different unit,
Maurice said, adding the team’s top nine forwards include five who can play centre.
Little played on the wing early in his career with the Atlanta Thrashers, netting 31 goals in 2008’09, but had 13 the next season.
“That was six or seven years ago so it’s definitely been a while since I’ve played wing, but I think
for a centreman it’s definitely an easier adjustment to getting switched to the wing than for a
winger to try and play centre,” Little said.
“(Maurice) said if I have a problem with it or if I feel it’s not working out, to tell him. So right now,
it is kind of a go and see how it plays out.”
The Jets’ top line has usually been Ladd, Little and Blake Wheeler, but last season Frolik and
Wheeler were sometimes switched.
Wheeler skated with Drew Stafford and centre Mark Scheifele when a second group of skaters
hit the ice in the afternoon session. Frolik signed with the Calgary Flames in the off-season.
Ladd liked what he saw last season skating with the six-foot-four Lowry.
“Obviously, a big body that’s very responsible in his own end and there’s more to his game
offensively,” Ladd said. “It’s something to look at and we’ll see how it works out.”
Lowry played 80 games in his rookie season and had 11 goals and 23 points. Getting a chance
to set up Ladd and Little has him excited.
“It’s always nice to get the opportunity to play with two players like that,” Lowry said. “Obviously
nothing is set in stone, but to go into camp and play with (Ladd) and (Little) is a great
opportunity for me.”
He said he wanted to improve and expand his role this season and the experiment could give
him that opportunity.
“Now there’s going to be greater expectation going into your second season in the NHL,” Lowry
said. “Playing alongside those guys, at least to start, there’s going to be some expectations to
contribute right away.”
Maurice said defenceman Grant Clitsome, recovering from a second back surgery, didn’t pass
his physical and won’t play this season. Blue-liner Tyler Myers also didn’t skate, with Maurice
saying it was a minor issue.
TSN.ca – VIDEO LINK
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/byfuglien-s-future-dominates-jets-camp-talk~707859
Byfuglien's future dominates Jets camp talk
The Jets opened up their camp on Friday but a lot of attention was given to Dustin Byfuglien
and his uncertain contract status as he enters the final year of his deal in Winnipeg.
Sportsnet.ca – VIDEO LINK
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-prospects-getting-a-chance-to-fill-roster-spots/
Jets prospects getting a chance to fill roster spots
0:50 | September 18, 2015
Sean Reynolds reports from Winnipeg where Jets prospects are getting a chance in training
camp and Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd both remain without new contracts.