3 Things: Jets open camp with Hellebuyck situation looming

Jets ready to move forward without Hellebuyck
It’s a challenge to be without one of your top players, never mind an individual who holds every franchise record for goaltenders and has numerous individual awards, however, the players and head coach Scott Arniel believe they only have to worry about what they can control.

“He’s one of the best goalies in the league, if not the best. He’s been a big part of the core here for a long time and had an awful lot of success here,” said Arniel after the second session Thursday at hockey for all centre.

“As a coach, you lose one of your key pieces, it’s hard. But we also have to move forward. We have to move forward. It is what it is. We’ve got 50 guys in camp right now that I gotta focus in on.”

Kyle Connor is in the first year of his eight-year, $96 million extension, which he signed last October. While he acknowledged that having Hellebuyck in Winnipeg was one of the factors in his decision to sign, he made it clear it wasn’t the only one.

“I believe in that group and this management, and the city,” said Connor.

“The group we assembled and just the support that we get here, it really means a lot to me to try to battle with this group and like I said, when I was thinking about the decision and ultimately decided to sign here, I couldn't picture myself trying to battle for a Stanley Cup for a city or another group of guys.”

Staying with the theme of focusing on who was on the ice, Stuart Skinner brings an impressive resume to Winnipeg thanks to two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and 53 career postseason appearances with him. Gabriel Vilardi has been playing against Skinner going back to their time in American Hockey League.

“I've played against him since I was in Ontario and he was in Bakersfield. I think he's a good goalie and working with him here the past week he's pretty diligent in the stuff he does,” said Vilardi.

“So, I'm excited, and chatting with him he seems like a great guy. So, we're going to welcome him and I'm sure the fans are going to welcome him as well.”

A new-look top six
Once the first group stepped onto the ice Thursday morning it was all about who was with who for line rushes and D pairings.

Mark Scheifele and Connor were together to no one’s surprise but the interesting part was the addition of Cole Perfetti to the right side. Thanks to a high ankle sprain suffered in the preseason, Perfetti’s numbers dropped from a career high 50 points in 24-25 to 32 in 25-26. Scheifele said he’s looking forward to the chance to play with the 24-year-old again.

“I haven't played with him since I think when me and Wheels played with him. Me and Karson Kuhlman played on the line together for a little bit of time too. So I haven't played with him in a while,” said Scheifele.

“But obviously, he looks like he had a great summer. Obviously, I know KC very well and love to play with him, and so we're excited to work with him, learn about his game, and work with him in that way.”

Gabriel Vilardi had tremendous success with Connor and Scheifele last season as one of the most feared lines in the NHL. For the time being though, Vilardi will be with Isak Rosén and the eighth overall selection Viggo Björck. Arniel and the coaching staff thought this new top six will be interesting to see during a short training camp and just four preseason contests. Vilardi had an up close and personal look at Björck at the World Hockey Championships when Canada played Sweden.

“Seeing him here, it's proven that he has a really good stick. He keeps plays alive,” said Vilardi.

“I think he uses his size to his advantage. And he's very low, a very low centre of gravity out there. He's got good ankles and he's a little shifty out there.”

A chip on their shoulders

Missing the playoffs last season has left the Jets with something to prove, particularly after a year that saw outside belief in the team fade. That feeling hasn’t been lost on the players inside the dressing room, either. Even some of the newcomers to the group have sensed the edge that comes with being written off, with Isak Rosén saying he believes the entire team is carrying a chip on its shoulder heading into a new season.

“It's been a long summer, and it's tough,” said Rosén.

“You want to play longer than we did, and I think, as you said, you can learn from the older players. They've done it before, and they know you have to bounce back and have that energy to bounce back. So, I think you really do.”