Gustafsson all smiles as Jets prepare for Capitals

WINNIPEG - A smiling David Gustafsson joined the Winnipeg Jets for practice on Thursday, and says the difference between the player he is now versus when he last played in the National Hockey League in February of 2021 is significant.
"It's been a good start to the season," he said.
"It was a year ago since I was here, and I feel like I've grown a lot since then. I'm more comfortable with everything outside the ice and on the ice. I just feel I have a better opportunity this year."
The 21-year-old put in extensive work in the off-season to improve his speed and has seen that pay dividends already this season. His seven goals were tied for the team lead with the Manitoba Moose at the time of his recall, and he's leading the Jets American Hockey League affiliate in points with 16 in 23 games.
"We've done some testing, mostly off-ice, and I've seen my speed really getting better," Gustafsson said. "When I'm watching myself on the ice too, I see that I'm faster. I feel faster too. I think I'm faster."

The difference in Gustafsson is noticeable, according to Jets head coach Paul Maurice. From the time Gustafsson took part in his first development camp with the Jets following his second round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, Maurice could see the Swedish forward had the desire to push himself.
"The first development camp, we tugged him real hard. It was a hard practice. Right toward the very end, he was the only guy left that could still go hard - and he was still smiling," Maurice said.
"He just needed some pro experience to read the game. He's a smart guy, he's going to get the reads. Once he gets the reads, the question is how quick can he play that game."

Maurice slotted Gustafsson between Jansen Harkins and Kristian Vesalainen in Thursday's 30-minute skate at Canada Life Centre. He feels with all the youth on that line, he expects energy and pace, but also a straight-forward style of game.
"Get in, get on the body, not worry about where the other guy is or trying to keep him happy and passing pucks," Maurice said. "I've been happy with Ves' game. There weren't any great standouts in our last game, but a little change there. I'm going to flip all three of those right wingers during the game, I would think."
The rest of the Jets lines looked similar to Wednesday's skate:
Stastny-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Dubois-Svechnikov
Copp-Lowry-Toninato
Harkins-Gustafsson-Vesalainen
Morrissey-Schmidt
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo
Beaulieu
Paul Stastny agreed with his head coach's reasoning from yesterday, that the Jets forward lines are "balanced" in this formation, which is a good thing considering the next few opponents on the schedule.
"Copper can play every position. Whether we need him at centre, we need him on top line, or need him on a checking line, he plays that two-way game. So he's comfortable playing anywhere," Stastny said. "With KC, Svech, and Duby they had that chemistry early on. So that was a no-brainer. (Maurice is) comfortable matching up Lows and Copper against any line - whether it's one, two, or three - and be comfortable with that and be a little more flexible and be able to roll lines more."'
The first opponent on that list is the Washington Capitals, who come into Canada Life Centre tomorrow off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Alexander Ovechkin tied the NHL record for power play goals in that loss. His 274th power play marker tied him with Dave Andreychuk, and was also his 21st goal of the season. That puts him second behind Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl in that category, while also giving the Russian star 46 points - the most in the NHL.
"He's been fun to watch," said Maurice, who remembers watching Ovechkin as part of the Russian team at the 2005 IIHF World Hockey Championship. "Ovechkin was the first player that I had seen, Russian player, score a goal and get really jacked up about it. It's not in the culture. They're very calm after a goal. He is jumping around. Kind of Foligno-esque. I like that a lot. I thought it brought a lot to that team."
Washington's power play is currently ranked 25th in the NHL at just over 17 percent. Gustafsson isn't expected to hop on the Jets penalty kill right away, with Maurice instead opting to keep an eye on the forward at five-on-five before gradually moving him into penalty killing as well.
Gustafsson is a key part of a Manitoba Moose penalty kill unit that has been among the AHL's best all season.
"Everybody is taking great pride in playing on the PK," Gustafsson said. "Everybody is giving it their all and we take great pride in being one of the best penalty killing teams in the AHL. We have guys like me and (Kristian Reichel), we know each other really good. We've played PK for a while and we know what the other guys is going to do. We have great chemistry on it and that's huge for the PK."
As for going up against Ovechkin and trying to keep him from breaking a record? Gustafsson could only smile, as he had been all day.
"It'll probably hurt if I block his shot," he said with a grin. "It's what you have to do to get a spot on the team. So you've got to do it."