The focus on the new systems, in all three zones of the rink, has been well-documented throughout the two weeks of training camp.
Head coach Rick Bowness knows that things are still a work in progress, but game reps are needed more than practice time at this point.
"I know how they played in the past. I see them kind of going back to that. Not intentionally, it's just a natural instinct," Bowness said after Thursday's 50-minute skate at Canada Life Centre. "We'll break those instincts. While you're doing that, there are some growing pains. We'll get them through it."
The newest member of the Jets, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, skated with the team for the first time on Thursday. He was claimed off waivers from Washington on October 10 and sees the change of scenery as an opportunity.
"I was happy because the team believes in you and you're on the way to go to the AHL and you get a new chance somewhere else," said the 24-year-old, who saw his first 23 games of NHL action last season. "It gives me the confidence that I feel like I needed and I can focus on my game."
And the game that the speedy forward brings to the ice fits with what Bowness wants out of his group.
"You love his speed. Speed is good," Bowness said, acknowledging that associate coach Scott Arniel is a lot more familiar with Jonsson-Fjallby from their time in Washington together in 2021-22.
"We won't use him tomorrow. In fairness to him, yesterday he skated for the first time since Saturday," said Bowness. "He sat in our video meeting today. Obviously had a practice, he'll get to see us play tomorrow, practice Saturday and Sunday, and fully expect him to be in the line-up on Monday."
So while Jonsson-Fjallby looks ahead to his Jets debut in a few more days, the Jets are locked in on making sure they do everything they can to earn two points in the standings - and send the fans home happy.
"Nobody wants to lose a season opener and a home opener. Nobody wants to lose that, especially in front of your fans," said Dubois. "I'm sure they'll be really excited tomorrow. We'll have a lot of fun with them, and everybody's going to be leaving the rink with a smile on their face if we win, so that's a really important part for us."
LINE RUSHES
Of note in the line rushes on Thursday, Mason Appleton was in a regular jersey after being in a non-contact uniform on Monday and Tuesday.
Connor-Scheifele-Ehlers
Perfetti-Dubois-Wheeler
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Maenalanen-Gustafsson-Gagner
Jonsson-Fjallby
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt
Samberg-Capobianco
WEARING LETTERS
Bowness announced after Thursday's skate that the three alternate captains for the season will be Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, and Adam Lowry.
However, he expects everyone in the room to continue being a big part of the leadership group.
"The league mandates we wear three A's. We can give that to a lot of guys," said Bowness. "The leadership, that could apply to 5, 10, 12 guys. You're not going to have a leadership group of 10 or 12 guys. But right now, this room is in a very, very good spot."
