JGD Preseason 2: Kyle Connor makes NHL Debut when Jets face off against Wild.

The Winnipeg Jets will face off against divisional rival, the Minnesota Wild in their second preseason tilt. Puck drop is slated for 7pm ET and you can catch the game on TSN3 or TSN Radio. The game will signify a little bit of history for Jets fans as they will get to see their first glimpse of 2015 first round draft pick Kyle Connor wearing a Jets sweater. 

While many had speculated we may see the debut of 2016 second overall pick Patrik Laine in tonight’s contest, it appears Jets fans will have to wait a little longer to see the 18 year old Fin in action.

Preseason record: 0-1-0

Ehlers-Little-Stafford

Connor-Perreault-Burmistrov 

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Morrissey- Myers

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Connor Hellebuyck 

Michael Hutchinson

– Watch out for Brandon Tanev tonight. The Providence alumni chose to sign with the Jets last spring after mulling his many options as an undrafted college free agent last spring. The speedy winger was impressive in his first pre season tilt and has evolved in to a dark horse to make the big club in a fourth line role. 

– Josh Morrissey is going to get ample opportunity tonight. Morrissey and Myers will surely eat up well over 20 minutes tonight and Morrissey needs to thrive in this temporary top pairing role to show he belongs. With Jacob Trouba being a no show at camp, the top left defenseman spot is Morrissey’s to lose. 

– Winnipeg’s second line tonight of Kyle Connor, Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Burmistrov could remain a unit longer than just tonight’s game. Those three could end up forming a pretty solid third line for Winnipeg. The line has speed on the wings along with strong defensive forwards in Perreault and Burmistrov to compliment 19 year old Kyle Connor. 

Preseason record: 1-1-0

– Darcy Kuemper will be in between the pipes for the Wild tonight with Alex Stalock backing him up. 

–  The Wild will be dressing a rather inexperienced lineup full of players vying for a spot with the big club. Minnesota’s lineup will only dress Eric Haula, Marco Scandella, Matt Dumba and goaltender Darcy Kuemper  of the team’s regulars.

– Wild forward Alex Tuch could surprise many tonight with his performance. The Boston College alumni was the Wild’s first round selection back in 2014 and he’s out to prove he belongs in the big leagues. Tuch recorded 62 points in 77 NCAA games and last spring helped lead Boston College one game shy of the NCAA frozen four.

1) Connor Hellebuyck shows that he is undoubtedly the Winnipeg Jets number one goaltender 

2) Kyle Connor finds the back of the net tonight in his NHL preseason debut 

3) Even an inexperienced Wild team makes the Jets depth defenseman look silly.