Winnipeg Jets hockey continues to get closer to returning, with only 20 days to go until the 2025-26 home opener. Day 2 of Jets training camp wrapped up earlier today, and it was similar to day 1 with lots of practice drills. The Jets kept the same groupings and line combinations as day 1, and Adam Lowry continued to skate on his own as part of his rehab from hip surgery in the off-season.

Several Jets players, including Cole Perfetti and Gustav Nyquist, spoke to the media after day 2 of training was complete. Jets head coach Scott Arniel also spoke to the media earlier today, and as usual (as the head coach) he was the guy that everyone wanted to talk to. Arniel answered questions for around 10 minutes, and there was a focus on a certain potential line combination. Arniel also praised the work that the Jets prospects have put in so far and how players are embracing the defence first mentality that describes the Jets overall style of play.

That “certain potential line combination” is what some Jets fans hope is their 2nd line: Cole Perfetti, Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist. Arniel said that this line appealed to him knowing that Adam Lowry was out to start the season, the experience that Toews brings to the lineup, and the skill of Perfetti and Nyquist. Arniel added that a key member of the “next” line to start the season (the 3rd line) will be Vladislav Namestnikov, a player who has proven in the past to be versatile in different situations.

Perfetti will likely return to his role as a 2nd line winger, but it’ll be slightly different this season playing aside two experienced pros. Arniel said the opportunity for Perfetti is a chance for him to be the so called “shooter… he’s getting a chance on this different look [compared to last year]… Gus has great vision, great hands… and Jonathan has the drive, that ability to get to the net front and make those plays in close”. Ever since the news of these signings broke, this trio was rumoured as a potential 2nd line option, and it appears that Arniel is seriously considering this line for opening night of the regular season if training camp goes well.

Jets players at camp are having to learn to embrace the defence first mentality that Arniel teaches. Arniel said that the new guys “are all excited because it’s a little bit of the hybrid of some of the systems they’ve played, but they know our attention to detail when it comes to that [style of play]. Having won the William Jennings Trophy last season as the team that allowed the fewest goals, the new veteran players (and even the prospects) understand that this team needs to play good defence first and that will lead to the offense being there.

Arniel was then asked some questions about the players on that potential 2nd line. In terms of unlocking the “version” of Gustav Nyquist from 2022-23 (where he had 75 points), Arniel said he knows the skill Gus has is still there, and he’s a responsible player that can play in several important situations. Arniel was also asked about the impact that the “Manitoba Miracle” goal had on Cole Perfetti. Now that Perfetti has gotten over the hurdle of being injury free for a full season, Arniel said that goal was “all because of how he built his game over the 82 game season”. The timing of that special Perfetti game tying goal in game 7 against the Blues was right up there (for Arniel) with goals like the Paul Henderson winner and the Sidney Crosby Golden goal.

Near the end of Arniel’s discussion with the media, he was asked about how the Jets prospects are handling the first few days of training camp. Arniel said the biggest thing he looks for is “growth, every year they are going to get bigger and stronger as men, but it’s also starting to figure out the pro game”. Arniel said he’s less focused on if the prospects are scoring a goal or making a nice pass, but if they’re doing the other things right such as body position, stick position and winning puck battles. Seeing players enter their first pro season is exciting for Arniel because it’s a chance for these players to be “on their own” to really focus and adapt to professional hockey.

From line combinations, to defense first and prospects, Arniel covered exactly what the media wanted to hear. The Jets will continue their training camp tomorrow for day 3, before the Jets play their 1st pre season game at Canada Life Centre on Sunday. Puck drop for the first Jets action in Winnipeg for the 2025-26 season will be at 4:00 pm CT, and we’ll be sure to cover the preview and post game here at Jets Nation.