The Winnipeg Jets close out the preseason with their second game of a doubleheader versus the Calgary Flames on Friday. The Jets are coming off a decisive 5-2 win in the first game, where Nino Niederreiter found the back of the net twice while Gabe Vilardi dished for three assists.
It’s a great sign for the Jets that their top players are at mid-season form but the main storylines of the preseason have to do with the players vying for jobs at the NHL level. There are position battles at all three position groups for the Jets this offseason with each looking to be very close and making their final game against Calgary critical for some.
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Backup Goaltender: Eric Comrie v. Kaapo Kähkönen
The backup goalie position is crucial for any Stanley Cup contender. The Jets had a solid option at the position over the past few seasons with Laurent Brossoit, who left for Chicago in free agency.
A void was left behind and two very competent goaltenders are eager to earn the position. Eric Comrie appeared to be a solid choice for the role considering his history with the organization but has been caught by the newcomer Kaapo Kahkonen. Comrie started in Jets second preseason game when they took on the Oilers and looked decent with three goals allowed in an overtime loss but made 25 saves on 28 shots.
Kahkonen has been given more opportunities with two starts so far. He started off rocky in his first start with five goals allowed on 28 shots and only making 23 saves. The goals against were more indicative of the Jets unpreparedness in their preseason opener rather than Kahkonen’s play.
Three of the five goals were off screen plays and defensive breakdowns that weren’t his fault. He came back with a much better performance against the Oilers with just one goal allowed along with 27 saves. Comrie may get the start in the preseason finale versus Calgary but as of right now Kahkonen’s game versus Edmonton may help him get the job.
Final Defensive Pairing: Stanley and Heinola injuries
The final blueline pairing appears to be up-for-grabs with Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola both out with injuries. Stanley was projected for a bottom pairing role early on like last season with Heinola looking to compete for one of their spots but the pair of injuries has left a hole that a handful of defenceman can look to exploit.
Miller will likely retain his position on the bottom pairing with a pair of goals and assists for four points over three preseason games. The other position opposite to Miller is seemingly open and a case is being formed for 20-year-old Elias Salomonsson, who hasn’t registered a point yet but has made his impact felt with three shots, four blocks and a +1 rating over four preseason games.
Newcomers Dylan Coghlan and Haydn Fleury likely have the edge however with more NHL experience and more counting stats so far this preseason. It should also not be lost that 23-year-old Simon Lundmark inserted himself into the debate with a goal on Wednesday night versus Calgary.
The sixth and seventh defenceman roles could still be available but the edge goes to the duo with the most experience in Coghlan and Fleury.
The Fourth Line: Young Guns on the rise
Manitoba Moose leading scorer last season, Brad Lambert, has been aggressively pushing for a spot on the Jets main roster with a goal and two assists for three points over four games. He is vying for a spot recently occupied by Rasmus Kupari while others like Brayden Yager and Colby Barlow are also looking to find their way into one of the fourth line spots as Morgan Barron battles to keep his spot on the left wing.
A lot is on the table with Yager, Barlow and youngster Nikita Chibrikov, all having two points each in two games while Kupari and Barron have just one each. Chibrikov finished with 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points last season with the Moose and could look one of the final roster spots.
All are still young and have multiple years left on their entry level deals, which could leave the door open for David Gustafsson and Jaret Anderson-Dolan, who’ve played meaningful NHL minutes in the past and could round out the final roster spots. A lot is still up in the air when it comes to the forwards and could make the final game crucial.
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