Logan Stanley: “I Love Winnipeg”

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Logan Stanley will be returning to the lineup when the Jets and Minnesota Wild square off in a Central Division showdown from Canada Life Centre on Wednesday evening.

Having last suited up in Edmonton for Winnipeg’s lopsided defeat to Connor McDavid and the Oilers last Friday, the big rearguard sat out the team’s last two games as a healthy scratch. As a matter of fact, Stanley has only dressed once in March, three times in each of February and January and twice in December. Of course, he was hurt near the start of the season, and then only last a game-and-a-half before re-injuring himself in his December return to the lineup.

“Back to back injuries like that aren’t easy and it definitely wasn’t a fun time for me mentally or physically,” Stanley said. “It was pretty draining, especially coming back and feeling good and then getting hurt again. That was a tough pill to swallow for me. I feel good now and I’m just trying to stay in shape and work hard after practice, so when my name is called I’m ready to help the team win.”

The day prior to the NHL’s trade deadline, a report surfaced that Stanley had, in fact, requested a trade out of Winnipeg due to his lack of playing time and usage within new head coach Rick Bowness‘ system.

“Yeah, I’m not going to comment too much about it,” he said candidly when asked on the truthfulness of the report. “Obviously I’m disappointed I haven’t played more, but I’ve been hurt for a big chunk of the season. It’s tough to come back in from injuries.”

“The trade deadline’s behind us now and I’m focused on helping this team win hockey games and make a deep playoff run.”

Helping the team win and making a deep playoff run are two extremely bold statements for the 24-year-old, considering how difficult it has been of late for the Jets to simply earn victories.

Three weeks back, the team was battling the Dallas Stars for first place in not only the Central Division, but also the entire Western Conference. They were only one point out of the lead.

But then things went off the rails, and it started on a three-game road trip through New York. The team ended up winning just one of six games in that stretch, to which it now has one win in its previous seven and just two in its last 10.

That is not a good percentage.

Thanks to the play of the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Seattle Kraken, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche, the Jets have slid down to eighth place in the conference and sit just four points up on Calgary for the final wild-card spot.

It has been a disastrous month.

Maybe the insertion of Stanley back into the lineup will help a team that has been unable to string together wins in recent weeks. Maybe his physical side will shine through.

Built like a tank, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound blueliner has only one assist and just 19 penalty minutes to his name in 14 games this season – a far cry from his capabilities shown both in the Ontario Hockey League and the American League prior to his time with the Jets.

Just two games back, coach Bowness scratched veteran defender Nate Schmidt in favour of Kyle Capobianco. He bounced back with a go-ahead goal late in the third period the next game. So with Stanley now having sat out a number of contests, he will have the opportunity to provide his coach with a strong effort as fellow youngster Dylan Samberg draws out on the back end.

“I think it’s talking to your teammates, it’s doing the extra work after practice so when you go back in you feel like you’re ready, you feel like you’re sharp,” Stanley said when asked what he can do when trying to stay in the lineup on a consistent basis. “I talked to a few older guys on the team on maybe getting some pointers on how to deal with some of that kind of stuff and they’ve been a big help. Like I said, I’m just trying to help this team win.”

Make no mistake, he has talent and size, but he just hasn’t been a consistent enough player for Winnipeg this season in order to make a regular appearance on a back-end loaded with talent. His size is the one area to which he does have the advantage, so he does need to use that to the best of his abilities.

With the trade deadline has come and gone and Stanley stuck with the Jets, he will need to find a way to earn his coach’s trust in the final 19 games of the season if he hopes to remain on the playing roster come a possible playoff berth.

What he also attempted to do on Wednesday was regain the trust of his current city, by offering his praise of Winnipeg when questioned about his allegiance to the Jets.

“I love Winnipeg. Since the day I was drafted here, everyone has treated me amazing,” Stanley said. “Other than it’s a little cold in the winter, no complaints about the city or the organization. I’ve been treated and my family has been treated really well since I’ve been here. I love the city, I love the organization and I’m happy I’m still here, honestly. The team that drafted you is always the team you want to play for for a long time. We have a great group in here and a lot of good friends and we’ve got a good enough team that we can do some damage in the playoffs here.”

“I’m just trying to show my game, build my game and build Bones’ trust and my confidence back up so I am playing on a nightly basis.”

Puck drop between the Jets and Wild is set for 6:30 PM central time. The game can be viewed live on Sportsnet in Canada.