Breadcrumb Trail Links
SportsHockeyNHLWinnipeg Jets Get the latest from Paul Friesen straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Nov 26, 2025 • Last updated 33 minutes ago • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg is embracing a mentorship role as rookie Elias Salomonsson makes his NHL debut. Photo by David Zalubowski /THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArticle content
I’ll see your Alex Ovechkin, and raise you a Sidney Crosby.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
That would have been a good line for Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg to throw at his new partner, Elias Salomonsson, going into Wednesday night’s game in Washington.
Article content
Article content
Salomonsson was making his long-awaited and highly anticipated NHL debut. It just so happened to be against the Capitals and Ovechkin, the top goal scorer in NHL history.
Samberg could relate, not only to the typical jitters his partner would be feeling as an NHL newbie, but also to the feeling of being star-struck by sharing the ice with someone he watched as a kid.
Samberg squared off against Ovechkin in his second career game four years ago and went head-to-head with Crosby, another of the game’s all-time greats, in his fifth.
“Two guys that you grew up idolizing,” Samberg recalled in an interview with a team reporter on Wednesday morning. “You’ve just got to get through that. It’s one of those days you’ve really just got to sit back and enjoy it. Do your best and everything, but enjoy it.”
The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Like Samberg, Salomonsson was a second-round draft pick, the Jets taking him in 2022.
Also like Samberg, who was drafted in 2017, the Jets have been patient with the Swede’s development, probably more patient than the player, and even some fans, would have liked.
Head coach Scott Arniel says it’s no coincidence.
“We’re not rushing this,” Arniel told reporters in Washington, pre-game. “We learned a lesson with Samberg. We brought him along and now look what he is. It’s a hard position and (they) can get overwhelmed real quickly. If you are fortunate enough to bring them along in the right way and be patient with them and let them gain confidence and show their strengths every game, that just makes them long-term pros. And that’s what we’re after.”
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Samberg has been a regular since playing 15 games in that ’21-22 season, becoming one of the Jets’ most reliable defencemen. His plus-34 rating last year led the team.
Salomonsson isn’t as big as his 6-foot-4, 216-pound partner, measuring in at 6-foot-0, 172 pounds. But he brings something else that might make the two a long-term pair.
“He’s got a lot of offensive upside to him,” Samberg said. “So let him do his thing and I’ll take care of the back end.”
As for helping the 21-year-old feel a little less star-struck, Samberg says only time can conquer that.
“You have to go through pretty much every team to get over that,” he said.
The Jets also visit Carolina, Nashville, Buffalo and Montreal on this trip, although the injured Neal Pionk could return to the lineup sometime during it, bumping Salomonsson to the sidelines or even back to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
As for the kid’s first potential Crosby moment, they don’t see Pittsburgh again until March.
Taking one for the team
Salomonsson’s insertion for Pionk meant a second straight game as a healthy scratch for veteran Luke Schenn.
Arniel says players like Schenn and Colin Miller, who’s sat more than he’s played, have handled the decisions like pros.
“That’s where our group is good,” the coach said. “They recognize that whatever lineup goes in that it’s to have team success. They know their roles. That’s how we talked at the start of the year.
“They have to recognize, too, that when they come in they have to bring what they do best to the game, and they’ve been doing that.”
Arniel says defenceman Haydn Fleury still hasn’t cleared the concussion protocol and remains out.
Advertisement 6
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
It’s ‘down pat’: Pearson
After missing the previous two games, forward Tanner Pearson was back in the lineup in Washington, this time with linemates Vlad Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti.
One of the new faces on the team this year, the 33-year-old veteran of 741 NHL games was encouraged by his team’s improving defensive play going into Wednesday night.
“It’s a lot of learning early on, a lot of new faces,” Pearson said. “Playing with different guys, getting chemistry set up. Not overthinking things. All that plays a part. Everyone’s kind of got it down pat. This team over the years has been good defensively, and that leads to their offensive chances. We want to get to that.”
paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca
X: @friesensunmedia
Article content
Share this article in your social network