WINNIPEG -After concluding Training Camp, the Winnipeg Jets did what they normally do to go on a road trip. They boarded a plane and departed for Edmonton - for what they hope is an extended stay.
A familiar feeling was welcomed by head coach Paul Maurice.
"There are pieces of it that are regular, right? We get on a plane, you travel, you spend a lot of time kind of waiting for bags to get off airplanes and waiting for bags to get on buses," said Maurice during a media availability before the Jets practiced Monday.
"The differences are kind of what we have been dealing with for the last two and a half weeks. There's a lot of protocol in place but now that part has become routine. Players are very adaptable. They like routine, they're also very adaptable. Everybody's got their mask on when they're supposed too."
The NHL has strong restrictions in place during the first five to six days inside the bubble so the Jets won't be loitering around the hub. Their life will be pretty much hotel, rink, meal room and players lounge. But there remains a lot to be discovered about the day-to-day life of 11 teams on the road about to play in a very unique tournament.
"I think today is the day a lot of these questions will be answered and that is 'how do you move an NHL team through its day in the situation that we're in?'," said Paul Maurice
"So we'll get over to the rink, we'll get a look at that setup. We'll get up and get a good skate here today and then by the time we're done our day here, we'll have a pretty good handle on how things will work."
Maurice and his coaching staff will be tied up watching video like the ordinarily would during a road trip. For the players, there are little differences from what life away from Winnipeg is like during a normal NHL season.
"The only difference really is wearing the mask and being careful," said Nikolaj Ehlers.
"I think we're all pretty confident in this and excited to get started."
Adam Lowry agreed with Ehlers' assessment of the situation.
"I think coming into the bubble we know what we're focused on. It's kind of like an extended road trip. You get into the hotel room and you know you're going to be here hopefully for a while," said Lowry.
"You just have to get used to some of the protocol's. Wearing a mask, make sure you've got your credentials on and filling out some of the things you've got to fill out before you can enter the rink. I think that's going to take a couple of days to get used too but it's nothing that isn't too drastic."
