Winnipeg Jets Roster Battles HEATING UP at Training Camp

Winnipeg Jets Roster Battles HEATING UP at Training Camp

[Music] Let’s uh get right to it and welcome in Ken Weeb from the Winnipeg Free Press. Jonathan Taves. Um we heard the quote from Scott O’Neal. Yeah, he’s dayto-day. Uh going to tweak something the other night in the game and just didn’t feel like we wanted to push that any further. So just dayto-day. How optimistic should Jet fans be that he will be in that lineup a week from today? Yeah, I would say it would be on the positive ledger of optimistic hus. Uh yeah, I mean we were all wondering, you know, we saw the rosters come out. You’re wondering, oh, is that a good sign? Is that, you know, because I think I think previously uh injured players were not listed on the practice rosters, but uh I don’t think this was any type of tom foolery on behalf of the Jets or anything. I think it was, you know, Jonathan was going to see how he felt in the morning. Uh he got treatment today. Uh, hus out of the corner of our eye, we saw him walking with his backpack to a team sanctioned or a league meeting today. So, that’s all we have. We know Jonathan is walking. Uh, and we know that from what Scott Neil has said, uh, it would fall under the day-to-day. Now, I I understand the skeptical folks that are saying, well, sometimes dayto-day is really weak to week and all those things, but um, I would just put it this way. the level of concern from Scott Neil on Saturday after Dylan Samberg left the game versus the um you know posture and tone of Scott Neil a on the CJ postgame and b today with members of the media uh was much different. Uh so I would say it’s more on the day-to-day side of things. And I mean again the Jets have a full week of practice until they play their opener. uh you know barring some sort of setback uh I would expect that this is a minor minor lower body issue. Hus this is very common and I know some folks are saying oh it’s cuz he’s 37 and he’s been off for 2 years. Hus the most finely tuned athletes often leave practices and or exhibition games normally with a groin injury or soft tissue or something of that nature. So, um, I mean to your point about, you know, I’m watching that game on a computer screen versus being in the building, but what we know he was, there were no, you know, no tangible signs of an obvious, you know, like hobbling off the ice scenario. Now, again, this is it’s different than being in person. I get it. Uh but I don’t again walking versus walking boot or anything like that. Uh I would say it’s would be on the minor side and I would be surprised if he’s not ready for the opener. We know hardy’s been working to get ready. We know Fitty is. I think this is probably just a thing where you got to be off the ice for a couple days. I don’t expect him to play. We know Jonathan wanted to play in the last preseason game because there was a week off between games. Uh but I would expect him still to be ready for game one here. um in his absence. Yeah. Uh interesting to see today that Parker Ford was with the guys that we sort of assume will be the fourth line and uh and the Gus Bus, the original Gus Bus. I guess we have two now. Um with the uh you know with some of the guys would be more extras. um tell what’s been your observations on Parker Ford and uh how much has he done for his stock in the eyes of the coaching staff do you think over the course of the last three weeks? Yeah, I would even just say Husset kind of re rewind rewinds almost to, you know, last February, March when he made his debut and scored in Boston, you know, hour away from his home home city, a team he grew up against. And the only thing that prevented Parker Ford from not playing more than three games last year, Hus, was the fact he got injured with the moose very shortly after he was sent back down after that uh, you know, first NHL action. So, uh, you know, one thing we know, we’ve heard Scott Neil and dating back to Rick Bonis, they place a pretty high value on faceoffs, uh, when it comes down to the the fourth 4C job. And Parker Ford’s been doing an exceptional job on that front. Uh, I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but Scott Neil cited, I think 8-1 for Parker Ford on Tuesday in Minnesota or in St. Paul. So, uh, I would say that’s part of it. us. And I also think the other part of it is that when Tanner Pearson is on that fourth line, um they’re looking for a little bit more speed um down the middle. We know that uh you know, Cole Keepy brings a lot of speed and he looked really good on Tuesday. Probably his best of the exhibition action so far. Uh I think Ford has a slight advantage in the foot speed department over Gustoson, even though Gustoson’s worked incredibly hard on that part of his game over the last three, four years here. Um, but he’s again he’s a little bit more of a physical player. Parker Ford, he gets involved physically. He’s good on the for check. Um, and again, Gusson does a lot of things and and you know how I feel about him as a player and as a person. Uh, but right now I I think they’re opting for a little bit more speed uh on that front, but again, this is something where, you know, might might be more related to how the exhibition is going to go. And like I said, I I don’t you know, Jonathan may wake up tomorrow and and say, “I’m ready to go. I’m in the game.” But I don’t expect him to be playing. So I think this is more just a matter of uh you know we know that when Taves is not available if that’s the case at any point this year Nomesticov would be the first guy to go up and we know that Morgan Baron has filled in for Adam Lowry before and if Nomesticov goes up Baron can go from the fourth line to the third line uh with a pretty smooth transition giving that line a different look but uh I mean we’re we’re seeing it. Parker Ford is effective. He was effective in his game and against Calgary the other day. A really nice goal burying the pass from Jared Anderson Dolan on the back door. He had one of those chances earlier on in the preseason where he uh missed the back door tap, but I mean that’s a good sign for him. But uh he’s a high energy guy us a high motor guy and we know the Jets have been talking so much about compete during this training camp being harder to play against Parker Ford could help the Jets be that. So uh we’ve seen some of the similarities from Walker Der’s game at times when he’s going. He can be a physical force. He can get in on the forche. He can skate also. Um, but yeah, I mean right now Parker Ford appears to have the leg up in the battle for the 13th forward position, but uh, you know, I don’t think it means that Gossipon is out of the race by any stretch of the imagination, but uh, it was something that, you know, people took notice of this morning when we got to the rink and saw the first few line rushes. Um, let me ask you this. Um, you just while we’re talking about that, you know, the fourth line and that 13th forward, um, Tanner Pearson, has he has he earned earned that spot or is he sort of there because he’s a veteran and, you know, you start there? And and I guess my question to you is is he going to be a regular this year or is he being pressed now by some younger players that might be able to come in and certainly add more speed to that lineup? Um just thoughts on his fit right now and what it’ll take for him to be a regular and and not get passed by some of these guys that are challenging right now. Yeah. H I mean we’ve been talking about this at the rink today too and I mean Tanner Pearson is a guy that Yeah. I mean has he jumped off the page during the exhibition games? Not necessarily. But Hus, what you notice on the dayto-day when you’re at practice and and on the daily, uh he’s a guy who’s incredibly big and strong. He’s he gets to the net. Uh he’s very sound defensively. He’s a smart guy. He can kill penalties. We’ve referenced his heavy shot multiple times ever since the captain skates. Um again, I’m not saying he’s in cruise control mode by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think that once the games get going, you’re going to see him be a little bit more impactful. Um, in terms of your other question about where he slots in, how, you know, he’s going to have to play well. I mean, he is getting pushed. That’s for sure, Hus. I agree with you there. Uh, but I do think that he is, you know, based on his experience and his Stanley Cup winning pedigree, I think this is a guy the Jets want to have around the team. I think he’s going to be in the lineup regularly. I mean, I don’t know if that means 75 games or 55 games at this stage of the game, but uh, I do think that Tanner Pearson’s going to be someone that that does do a little bit better job of catching your attention. uh as the games get rolling into the regular season here. Now again, for a team that plays fast and wants to play with pace now, he’s going to have to be pushed on that front as well. Uh but he’s also a guy who brings a lot of smarts to the table, hockey sense, really good defense. He’s a very conscious or conscientious defensive player. Uh and he’s a guy who’s, you know, even last year was a 12goal guy. So if you’re a fourthline player and you’re producing double digits in goals, that’s something we’ve seen from the Jets fourth line, uh as they’ve moved along here. But again, that some of that’s going to be related to injury and, you know, when Lowry’s back and if they’re healthy from there. Um, but yeah, I do see him being uh more than just a part-time player. Uh, but as you mentioned, I mean, whether we’re talking about Nikita Chibberov or Walker Der or even Jared Anderson Dolan, I mean, these guys all bring a little bit of a different element to the equation. Uh, it’ll be a matter of how Pearson fits in, how he picks up the system, and if he can still be productive. And and I I in in speaking with Tanner Pearson early on in training camp, Hus, I get the sense that he knows exactly what he’s up against. Uh he knows that, you know, last year that he you’re north of 30. You had to take a PTO, but you were on a Stanley Cup contender. He came to a Stanley Cup contender. Now, uh he knows that nothing is guaranteed for him. Uh but he also knows and believes that he can bring something to the table that that brings value to a team like the Jets that is battling and wanting to be a legit Stanley Cup contender. So, um, yeah, I I I I think that he is definitely he understands where he fits in. Uh, and in order to keep that job, he’s going to have to deliver some strong performances at both ends of the rink. you know, um, Ken, just talking about this and especially with Ford and I mean, if Gustoson’s on the outside looking in, um, he’s a guy that we’re both big fans of and I think they can play and, you know, if he’s the 13th forward, okay, like putting him on waiverss, um, like we’ve been talking a lot about defenseman going on waiverss, a guy like David Gustoson that I had always thought would be on the team to start off with, if he’s on the outside looking in, um, you know, potentially exposing him, I think, you know, could be somewhat problematic for the club with the Samberg injury knowing that seven of the eight like is it more likely that they might go 14 and seven now based on the current situation than before? You think it’ll be 13 and they’ll just keep all the defenseman and you know if it comes down to a Han or a Stanley or whoever from the blue line being exposed they would be more likely to put a player that they’ve also put a lot into and a second round pick like Gustoson on the wire. Yeah. So, I would put it this way. I mean, I I don’t think the Jets are going to have Parker Ford as the 13th forward. Uh I think it’s much more likely that Gusson would fill that role. Uh the only way that the more likely way of Parker Ford being on the team is if one of those centermen uh has to be on IR to start the year. But, uh again, I don’t think we’re in that situation yet either. Um yeah, I mean, are the Jets open to exposing David Gustoson to waiverss? I mean that’s that’s your question and I I don’t know the answer to that Hus. I mean I I right now I don’t know that answer. Uh I don’t think they’re going to be leaning towards 14 and seven just based on the fact that Samberg is going to be out for 6 to 8 weeks. I don’t I just see it’s likely much more likely they would expose a forward to waiverss than a defenseman based on the depth in the organization and also the depth you know with team with guys knocking on the door and being ready. Uh I be well quite frankly they don’t know how it’s going to work out in terms of the you know who’s going to work well with PianC. We know today it was Logan Stanley’s turn. Uh we know Hayden Flurry has played that role before. So I I think that on the back end things are set with Kale Kle clearing waiverss today. I think the Jets are thankful for that. It means Kle is going to be able to go down to the miners and play with Elias Solommonson and he would be available if they need another left shot defenseman. Um, you know, Anderson, Dolan, and Samuel Fago also cleared waiverss, which I think the Jets would be thrilled about as well. So, um, you know, I I don’t think, you know, there were no Jets on waiverss today, Hus for those who didn’t see it at just after 1:00. So, yeah, it’s going to be interesting to see how things shake out with Gustoson. Uh, but I would just put it this way. The only way that Parker Ford to me, I’m not saying he can’t be the 13th forward, but as a guy who is waivers exempt just for this one more season, hus likely we would see Gustofson on the opening day roster than Parker Ford. Uh but again, that that’s not set in stone. That’s my personal opinion just based on how they feel about depth and where things are at. But uh if Parker Ford could be in the opening day lineup, I think that maybe that changes the equation a little bit too uh as well in terms of what the thinking is there. But, you know, I know he’s he’s not an older player, but he’s a guy who came out of college, so he’s got a little bit more uh he’s still young in terms of experience, but he’s a guy that definitely is in the Jets plans moving forward. Uh, but again, I don’t think the Jets are turning their back on Gusson, and I don’t think he’s necessarily on the outside looking end, even though today Parker Ford was rolling at 4C. I think that’s more a, you know, maybe be matchup related for the game in Calgary or, you know, the fact he’s a right-handed shot center and they wanted to test something else out here today, Hus. that also too that that’s a reminder that Parker Ford is having a very solid training camp as well and uh he’s definitely under consideration moving forward. Uh Ken Weeb’s with us from the uh Winnipeg Free Press. Weber, let me ask you uh this. Let’s get the Weibo meter out. Who has had the best camp and uh on the other end of it, who has uh maybe uh not shown as much as you would have expected? Yeah, honestly, Hass I don’t I’m not trying to duck the question here. I just don’t uh I the dayto-day until the second week of camp to me is not as important as it is to you know the casual you know I understand hardcore fans want to know what happens day in and day out and how that improves someone’s chances I think this is the real really important week uh whether it started on Monday with practices but uh I don’t think that the Jets have had anybody that has been lackluster or us everyone knows the standard here I don’t think anyone came in lagging is in terrible shape shape and is in danger of losing their job. And uh I also don’t think that anyone has really come out of a rocket ship and stolen a job. I mean, as I wrote in the free press today, Hus, I think that in terms of prospects who uh boosted their stock the most at this camp, I cannot imagine someone has boosted their stock more than Kobby Barlo. Uh even though he was return, you know, reassigned to the Manitoba Moose. Hus, if you’re looking 12 months ago to today, he’s skating so much better. um he was way more involved last year. You know, we understand things happen and whatever else and different types of uh development curves and everything else, but Kobe didn’t have a good camp last year. Like quite frankly, he did not show well at training camp. Uh his skating was not at a level that it needed to be at. Uh and you can tell he put in the work uh in the summertime and he took he heeded the advice last fall and he heeded the advice going into, you know, after development camp and throughout his summer. He, you know, he openly talked about changing his body, uh, getting leaner, he’s skating better. He’s, he’s one of the guys who has one of the best shots in the organization in terms of the prospects that are coming up. And Braden Jagger also has a great shot. Uh, but to me, Kobby Barlo has had the most impactful camp in terms of showing, you know, a 12 month improvement. Also, Danny Jilen, I would include in that category. I just think that Barlo is a little bit more of a toprated prospect than Zilkin. But Jilkin went from kind of just being another guy in the organization to having a strong prospect showdown in Montreal. He had a very good training camp. He had a very strong showing in the exhibition games. I think he’s poised to have his best season as a member of the Manitoba Moose. Uh I would say those two guys really popped off the page up front. Uh on the back end, we’ve talked a lot about Elias Solommonson, and yes, it is unfortunate that he did not have an opportunity to play in that third preseason game because he got sick on the morning of that game. Um but there’s just a little bit more work that needs to be done for him. And I understand that folks are arguing, well, try him in the top four us. I just think that right now at this stage of his career, and Hus, we’ve been talking about this since the summertime. Uh this isn’t a Elias Solomon is down for good for this year, but the benefit of him going down and playing 20 to 22 minutes a game being exposed to all different situations. Um I think that we will see Elias Solommonson and Hus maybe even potentially before the Dylan Samberg return happens in that 6 to 8 week window. Uh but I’m totally on board with him being assigned to play and gain confidence and get a ton of puck touches with the Moose at the start of this year. I’m not saying this is a Kyle Connor situation of way back when he played the four games and Matthew Perau got hurt and suddenly he was on the top line and never looked back. But what I am saying is that you know you might see Elias Solommonson by November at the start of November depending on how things shake down and how that Pian and whoever pairing is working. Um, and then maybe they’re going to think about Colin Miller or Neil Pianc or Dylan Dlo or Luke Shen on the left side and then you see what Elias looks like uh on the third pair. But uh uh I know there’s been a big uproar on socials and you see it, I see it in my inbox. Uh Elias Solommonson is not ready to play in the second pairing for the Winnipeg Jets on October 202nd of 2025. Uh, but that’s not to say that he’s not going to make his debut at some point before the calendar flips. Uh, that’s sort of how I see this, but uh, he had a he had a fairly strong campus, but I’ve said this before on the show and in other places. Elias’s second preseason game was not as good as his first, and that’s not the reason he was sent down either. It’s just a reminder that in a game with only seven NHLers on the opponent, uh, it wasn’t domination station for him, and you don’t expect it to be. So, uh, this is not a, you know, this is not a, you know, referendum on readiness for Elias Solomon. I think there is going to be time for him to be in this lineup this year. I fully expect him to make his debut and, uh, you know, if he there’s a possibility he could get double digits in games depending on how things shake down, how the injury front goes, but um, not having him on the roster is not some colossal blunder by Kevin Cheveloff and company right now. Uh but now it’s up for the players that are ahead of him on the depth chart to show that that’s the case and it’s up for up to Solommonson to dominate at the American League level and give the Jets no choice but to recall him at some point here in the next weeks or months or whatever the time frame is. Yeah, I mean listen, I think the conversation about even the possibility of him sticking around would have been different if it was one of the guys on the right side that had gotten hurt. But I mean, the thought of, oh, let’s bring this guy in, put him on the off side, playing top four minutes. I mean, you listen, young players, you want to put them in in in spots to succeed. And uh listen, they’re certainly, you know, maybe being extra cautious or letting them overripen, whatever the term you want to make make is, but I think it’s pretty clear what uh the task at hand for him to do is. And uh that’s turn heads, play a ton of minutes, be at an elite level in the American Hockey League, and force the hand at some point when that opportunity comes or just be so damn good that it’s time to give him a chance and and see what happens and then work the other pieces around. [Music]

Hustler and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press break down the biggest storylines from Winnipeg Jets training camp. From Jonathan Toews’ status to Parker Ford’s rise, David Gustafson’s role, and how Tanner Pearson and the prospects fit in — we cover the key position battles and roster spots still up for grabs.

Which young players boosted their stock, and who might be on the outside looking in? Plus, what the Jets’ defensive depth means after Dylan Samberg’s injury and whether Elias Salomonsson could crack the lineup sooner than expected.

Stay tuned for all the insight as the Jets prepare for opening night!

Topics:
Intro with Ken Wiebe (00:00)
Jonathan Toews injury update & optimism (00:35)
Parker Ford vs. David Gustafson: 4C battle (03:10)
Tanner Pearson’s role & pressure from young players (07:00)
Jets’ waiver considerations & roster math (10:00)
Standout prospects: Colby Barlow & Danny Zhilkin (13:00)
Elias Salomonsson’s development and NHL timeline (16:40)
Final thoughts on camp battles and roster outlook (19:30)

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