Jonathan Toews is set to play in his third preseason game as he gears up for the home opener against the Dallas Stars on October 9th. He will center a line featuring Nino Niederreiter and Cole Perfetti. Head coach Scott Arniel mentioned, “The bulk of the lineup will be in Friday in Calgary. Some kids will get another chance tonight. JT wanted to be in four games, so this is a good opportunity.” He also noted that it’s important to pair Toews with strong wingers. Gabe Vilardi is another player Arniel aims to evaluate further, allowing him to play three consecutive games.
One young talent Arniel is keen to observe is Brad Lambert. The 2022 first-round pick has shown increasing confidence with each game and will transition from wing to center against Minnesota. Lambert shared, “I believe I’ve improved significantly in my battling and my ability to win one-on-one puck battles. I feel much stronger.” He also mentioned that his shot has improved, which he considers crucial for his development.
Arniel has been tracking Lambert’s progress since the onset of training camp and noted the player’s growth in maintaining puck possession. “Watching these young players evolve has been rewarding. Lambert is learning the nuances of the game,” he stated. “He entered camp, practiced against experienced players, and started winning more battles. It’s about balancing speed and skill with the ability to regain the puck.”
Tonight’s lineup doesn’t just feature changes in the forward group; the defensive lineup showcases Logan Stanley pairing with Neal Pionk, Ville Heinola with Colin Miller, and Dylan DeMelo alongside Haydn Fleury. This match marks the first time DeMelo and Fleury will start together. DeMelo expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Fleury, noting his impressive performance last year during injuries and how he managed to step up. “He possesses a lot of skill, skates well, and effectively closes space. I’m eager to play alongside him tonight,” DeMelo remarked.
