The Winnipeg Jets training camp is underway. Groups A and B have gotten their first formal skate under their belts.

We’ll have continued coverage at Inside The Rink as training camp continues, with news, notes and observations.

Opening Day

Obviously, as training camp skates started, the Connor Hellebuyck headline continues to dominate, as he was suspended for failure to report for training camp yesterday.

Kevin Cheveldayoff also held a press conference regarding Hellebuyck’s suspension and the ongoing standoff.

News

Elias Salomonsson is not wearing a non-contact jersey. He isn’t taking rushes or drills with the main group yet, but it is an encouraging sign for the Jets’ bright young defensive piece. This suits the timeline for the Jets defenseman to be a late participant of training camp or be ready for the start of the regular season.

Walker Duehr did not skate with the main group. He did a solo skate earlier on day one, and that was it for him. As Duehr recovers from injury, he’ll likely continue solo skates until he can wear a non-contact jersey with the main group.

Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed that Connor Hellebuyck requested a trade at the exit meetings. Cheveldayoff added that it was Hellebuyck’s request to keep it private, and that Hellebuyck’s camp did let the team know that one day they might take the request public.

Cheveldayoff confirmed that there was no gentleman’s agreement with Connor Hellebuyck. “A contract is a contract in the NHL, period. Any notion around that would have no merit,” was the exact quote Cheveldayoff gave reporters following the question about a side/gentlemans agreement.

Throughout his press conference, Cheveldayoff made it known that the door isn’t closed for Hellebuyck to return to the team. He also noted that the team has been open to anything regarding the Hellebuyck trade stalemate.

Notes & Observations

As of right now, it looks as if Thomas Milic and Stuart Skinner will start the season. The work the two are doing before and after each formal skate occurs is noteworthy. It’s similar to what we observed between Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie at last training camp.

If Elias Salomonsson misses time this season, the Jets could potentially run a third defensive pairing of Mario Ferraro and Tyrel Bauer.

Cole Perfetti has gotten a look on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Have to wonder if that becomes a fixture for the Jets this season, or if Perfetti and Vilardi rotate that top line spot.

Lines with multiple centres often have them rotating; this was observed with the Chibrikov – Zhilkin – Ford and the Koepke – Gregor – Namestnikov lines.

Obviously it’s extremely early, but the defensive pairs look as if they’ll be untouched with a couple of exceptions.

Rosen – Bjorck – Vilardi is likely going to be the opening night second line, barring any other circumstances that make that not be the case.

Can Lukas Gustafsson turn a strong training camp into a case for an NHL contract? That was a question I asked myself multiple times watching him skate with the main group.

When will there be fatigue about the Hellebuyck headline? Can it be put to rest after players give their answers to open camp or will it become a massive distraction as time goes on?

Group A Lines

Connor – Scheifele – Perfetti
Koepke – Gregor – Namestnikov
Chibrikov – Zhilkin – Ford
Barlow – Julien – Burnside
Cloutier

Morrissey – DeMelo
Ferraro – DeMelo
Thrun – Gustafsson
Sautner – Taillefer
Salomonsson (not skating with main group)

Skinner
Milic

Group B Lines

Rosen – Bjorck – Vilardi
Lambert – Lowry – Barron
Niederreiter – Yager – Iafallo
He – Wagner – Wahlin
Walton

Samberg – Pionk
Fleury – St. Ivany
Freij – Phillips
Ta’Amu – Mayo

DiVincentiis
Poulter
Worthington

Projected Lines Following Day One

Day one is still too early to make any solidified predictions and projections. However, it does look like the defensive core is staying intact, while some changes are likely to be made for the forward group.

I project that Noah Gregor heads down to start the season with the Manitoba Moose, while a tough decision is made on Vladislav Namestnikov. Brayden Yager is an uncertainty for me. There’s a chance that a player like Parker Ford can win the opening beats out Yager for the opening night roster spot. However, nothing is guaranteed or confirmed yet.

Regarding the backup goalie situation, which has become increasingly blurry, it’s a job for one of Thomas Milic or Domenic DiVincentiis to win. Barring a trade, a promotion or a rotating spot between the two could be a step in the right direction for both players’ development.

Connor – Scheifele – Perfetti
Rosen – Bjorck – Vilardi
Barron – Lowry – Lambert
Niederreiter – Yager – Iafallo
Gregor – Namestnikov – Koepke

Morrissey – DeMelo
Samberg – Pionk
Ferraro – Bauer
Fleury – St. Ivany

Skinner
Milic/DiVincentiis

Have to wonder if Tyrel Bauer is occupying what could be Elias Salomonsson’s spot right now.