No speed limit

For the first time since training camp began on Sept. 22, there were only enough skaters for one ice session at MTS Iceplex.
In total, 26 skaters and three goaltenders put in a 70-minute skate, and they didn't hold anything back.
"It was definitely fast out there. There's a pretty big group of us, so there's more rest," said Bryan Little. "Guys were able to go harder and go faster. It was definitely one of the faster paces of camp so far."

With only two preseason games remaining before the Oct. 13 home opener, head coach Paul Maurice wants to keep the pace high. He knows his team isn't the only one working as much speed as possible into its game.

"Our team, and the league as well, is as fast as I've ever seen it," said Maurice. "We said it on the bench last year as coaches all the time. I've seen fast players and I've seen fast teams, it's the first time I thought we had a fast league.
"Every night, the team that you were playing had enough fast guys on it that they could play fast."

The Jets have a number of players that can bring that speed. From established veterans like Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, to sophomore Nikolaj Ehlers, to players trying to crack the line-up, like Kyle Connor.
But speed isn't the only important part of the game. Maurice says young players learn a lot as they transition to the pro game, and adds that Nikolaj Ehlers is a perfect example.
The 20-year-old forward scored 15 times last season, including his first professional hat trick. He added 23 assists for a total of 38 points. That number may be lower than the 101 points he put up with Halifax in 2014-2015, but Maurice says there are good reasons for that.
"What they are capable of doing is going to be curtailed by men that are just like them that are 27-years-old playing against them," Maurice said. "You come in as an elite minute guy, an elite scorer, an elite defender, and you were to get here. You were elite. Now you're going to play against a bunch of guys that are just like you that are seven years older.
"You make sure that they understand the good things that they're doing, that don't necessarily go in the net."
The next chance to build on the good things the Jets have accomplished this preseason is tomorrow night against the Edmonton Oilers at 8 pm CT.