While Mathew Barzal, Brock Boeser and Clayton Keller grab the headlines with their respective outstanding rookie campaigns, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor quietly is having an impressive first full NHL season, as well.
“I think everything goes under the radar when you play for Winnipeg,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said with a bit of a smile.
The 21-year-old appeared in 20 games last season for Winnipeg, but couldn’t keep a regular spot on the NHL roster with just two goals and five points over that span. He finished the year with 25 goals and 44 points in 52 games with the Jets’ AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose.
MORE: "It was all me" -- Jets' captain Wheeler blames self for fight with teammate Chiarot
After a subpar training camp this past September, Connor received a second chance when Matt Hendricks, Adam Lowry and Mathieu Perreault suffered injuries early in the season, and the Jets recalled him from Manitoba.
He’s made the most of it.
“He was a guy that you had high hopes for coming into the year, but obviously a little bit of a question mark” Wheeler said. “You didn’t really know what you were going to get. He’s taken the opportunity he’s gotten this year and done a great job.”
Since then, Connor elevated his game to a new level; his speed and skating ability, as well as his shot and work ethic, helped him prove his full-time NHL worth and live up to the expectation laid out for him since his NCAA days with Michigan.
“I think it’s just kind of the expectation of the whole team,” Connor said of his strong play. “Everybody’s pushing each other and when we have that type of compete in the room, it makes everybody a better player on the ice.”
In 68 games this season, Connor 28 goals and 47 points. He is sixth in rookie scoring, and sits one goal behind Boeser for the rookie goal-scoring lead.
“You can never be too comfortable in this league,” Connor said. “I think something I’ve learned this year is that you gotta bring it every day and you gotta prove yourself. I think I’m getting more confident with more games I play.”
MORE: Jets' Kyle Connor wraps up rookie goal-scoring title
His performance this season helped Connor not only secure a roster spot, but a spot on the top line, playing alongside Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, too.
“He’s awesome,” Scheifele said of Connor. “He’s gotten better and better as the season’s gone on. He goes to the right spots, he battles hard in the corner, he goes to the right areas, he goes to the dirty areas. He does everything so well and obviously his knack for scoring is top notch. He’s been really fun to play with this season. It’s exciting to see him grow like that.”
Wheeler agreed, giving high praise to his linemate for not only his personal growth, but the impact he’s had on the team this year.
“He’s been one of the huge x-factors for our team,” Wheeler said. “I mean, him stepping into our lineup and contributing at the rate he’s contributed at is a huge reason why we sit where we are today.”
As Connor approaches the 30-goal mark, as well as his first NHL playoff series, Jets coach Paul Maurice has been impressed with his performance, and believes confidence has played a big role in Connor’s success.
“Confidence for any player is such an important thing and can’t be given to anybody,” Maurice said. “You get one and then all the sudden you get that good feeling and then you attach that good feeling to some really good play. He’s been playing very, very well… a little bit of confidence and away he goes.”
Winnipeg has a chance to clinch a playoff berth Sunday with a victory over Nashville, or with a overtime loss if the Anaheim Ducks fall in regulation to the Edmonton Oilers.