Training Camp Notebook - October 3

WINNIPEG -His performance against Montreal, which included a big game-tying goal in the third period, along with his speed and finesse in overtime against Edmonton on Saturday have earned Brad Lambert the nickname Big Bad Brad.
Sure, it may only be Nate Schmidt that calls him that, but shouts of "Big Bad Brad" around the dressing room have increased over the last few days at Winnipeg Jets practice.
"I didn't think I was that big, but I'll take it," Lambert said with a grin after a 75-minute skate on Monday. "Another one they've come up with here is Lambo, that's what they mostly call me. But I like Big Bad Brad."
And there has been a lot to like about the play of Lambert since he returned from injury late into the first week of training camp.

He had a goal and an assist against the Canadiens in his National Hockey League preseason debut, which came after leading the Jets in scoring at the Young Stars Classic.

While the 30th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft didn't get on the scoresheet against Edmonton - though he would have, if not for an offside challenge that took a tic-tac-toe goal off the board - he's happy with how things have gone so far, but he's still keeping things in perspective.
"It's a faster pace than I've played at before. Everyone's going hard all the time," said Lambert, who is also adjusting to North American sized ice surfaces, which are smaller than those in Finland. "You really have to skate, especially in our system. You have to skate a lot, forecheck constantly. You can't go too long of shift, you try to keep yourself fresh so you can forecheck, backcheck as hard as you can."
In fact, Lambert's play brings to mind that of Mark Scheifele in 2011. He was at the top of preseason scoring that fall and got into seven games in the 2011-12 season.
The veteran forward was talking about this very subject with his father, Brad, a couple of days ago.
"We were talking about that time, and I was like, 'Wow, this isn't that bad. I can play in this league.' And then I played my first regular-season game and it was not the same animal," said Scheifele. "But at the time, I was kind of high on life and then the first couple of games brought me down to earth."
It's at this point of the practice update that we pump the figurative brakes. As of Monday, Lambert remains unsigned so obviously that would have to get done if there were any regular season NHL games to be played.

There are many things an 18-year-old also has to learn about the NHL game, but head coach Rick Bowness says that's the job of the coaching staff.
"He hasn't played his way out of here yet. I love working with kids and this kid has got a few more days to develop and to see where it goes," Bowness said. "We'll let him get through the next game or two and go from there. I don't want him focused on the 14th (of October), I want him focused on what he has to do right now. Those conversations will definitely come."
The Jets have two preseason games remaining on the schedule. Wednesday they're at home against the Calgary Flames before heading to Scotiabank Saddledome for a rematch on Saturday.
"I don't really know if I'll play another game. I'm just taking advantage of every opportunity I get, working as hard as I can in practice and taking it a day at a time," Lambert said. "Just going out there every day and doing my best. And just seeing what happens. That's all I can really control."
IN AND OUT
For the second consecutive day, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jansen Harkins didn't take part in practice. Bowness expects them on the ice for Tuesday's skate, but didn't anticipate either one would play against the Flames on Wednesday.

Mason Appleton, who left Saturday's game against Edmonton, did return to practice on Monday and was a full participant.
Kristian Reichel was assigned to the Manitoba Moose on Monday, and Kevin Stenlund was placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the Moose as well.
LINE RUSHES
Connor-Scheifele-Ehlers (Wheeler rotating in)
Perfetti-Toninato-Lambert
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Maenalanen-Gustafsson-Gagner
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Schmidt
Stanley-Pionk
Samberg-Heinola
Capobianco-Kovacevic
LITTLE BIT OF FUN
Monday's skate began with a bit of fun, as the players split into two teams and scrimmaged - except this was no regular scrimmage.

All skaters had to use the opposite handed stick, while goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck and David Rittich used no sticks.
Laughter was on full display.
"You've got to have a little fun, it's training camp," said Bowness. "We'll do that quite a few times during the season. It's still a game and it's a long training camp. It's a game and you've got to have some fun with it."

Bowness said there were a few players that caught his eye, even on their wrong hand.
"Ehlers was unreal as a righty," said Bowness. "He threw a couple of right-handed saucers and it shocked me. I can't make those on my natural hand. They're more athletic than I am."
Scheifele offered up a couple other scouting reports.
"Samberg was pretty good. I was not," he laughed. "Maybe we could put that one in the vault for another day."