Five Winnipeg Jets Players Who Could Get a Call-Up in 2022-23
With the first week of training camp in the rearview mirror, some Winnipeg Jets players made one heck of a first impression.
While training camp is still in its early phase, there’s nothing wrong with noticing certain players who came in with a little extra jump in their step. With effort clearly being a focal point of this new coaching staff, certain players may have inserted themselves into the conversation just by showing up with a great work ethic.
As the Winnipeg Jets move into their second week of training camp, fringe players will continue to make or break their chances of playing NHL games in the 2022-23 season.
Here are five players who could work their way into games in the upcoming season for the Winnipeg Jets.
Kristian Reichel
Reichel, 24, comes into the 2022-23 season after a year filled with ups and downs. Making his first-ever NHL appearance last season, Reichel recorded a goal and an assist in 13 games for the Winnipeg Jets. Unfortunately, his season was knocked off course by an injury that kept him out for the remainder of the season.
The bulk of Reichel’s appearances came with the Manitoba Moose. in 30 games in the AHL last season, Reichel tallied 5 goals in 13 points.
Reichel isn’t a flashy player by any means, nor will he be the guy to drive your offense. That said, he will go out there and give you an unbelievable forechecking effort. In the early stages of training camp, Reichel has brought noticeable energy. His work in Rick Bowness’s drills was eye-catching, as his speed and power were on display. On several occasions, Reichel was seen muscling players much larger than him off the puck, leading to a transition pass.
Reichel won’t be someone you see get called up to fill an offensive hole, but he could play a factor in the bottom 6 if you need a great forechecking player who protects the puck well.
Morgan Barron
Barron, 23, enters the 2022-23 season hoping to win a full-time job with the Winnipeg Jets. Unfortunately for Barron, the chances of that, at least for now, have become slim after an injury on the first day of training camp. With plenty of time left to get back into action, however, Barron looks to pull himself into the conversation for a lineup spot or an early season call-up.
Barron plays a strong game, using his 6’4 frame to jar opponents from the puck. He hasn’t fully been able to find a consistent offensive side of his game but did register two goals and two assists in his 14 games with the Jets last season. Barron’s energy mixed with his physical game matches up well with one of those bottom-six spots that’s open for the taking.
If he can’t find his way back into that spot by the end of camp, expect him to try and force himself into an open spot via the call-up. Barron remains waivers-exempt, which could play a factor in his games played.
Mikey Eyssimont
Eyssimont, 26, is quite different from most players on this list, as he’s both older and waiver-eligible. He’s on this list, however, because he’s shown that he’s willing to risk his own physical safety in order to retrieve the puck. His forechecking is similar to the likes of Brandon Tanev in the sense that he just sends himself into the corners at top speed looking for the puck.
Where he seems to differ from a player like Tanev, however, is his ability to put up points. Eyssimont has a keen offensive sense, either putting himself where the puck is, or where it will be. This has shown again and again in training camp this season, regularly beating NHL regulars to loose pucks and winning those battles along the boards.
With the Manitoba Moose in 2021-22, Eyssimont recorded 18 goals and team-leading 42 points in 58 total games. The numbers, while leading the team, don’t seem to paint the full picture as to how important he was to that Moose team. His hockey IQ was among the best on the team, as he seemed to have a sixth sense pointing him towards the puck. These are the skills that could see him eventually earn himself a call-up and a spot in the bottom-six. The issue of waivers remains, but if he continues to do what he does, he could certainly be in the conversation.
Declan Chisholm
Chisholm’s absence from a full-time NHL job could largely be chalked up to the logjam that is the Winnipeg Jets’ defense. On other teams, he may have made his NHL presence known, but for now, it looks like another year starting in the AHL.
Chisholm, 22, has been one of the steadiest defenders for the Moose since his debut in 2020-21 and has continued to impress in the early stages of training camp. Paired with Leon Gawanke, the two have turned heads as legitimate options to wind up in the NHL. His game is largely focused on transition and keeping the puck out of his zone. In the zone, he excels in lateral movement, keeping opponents to the outside. In the rush drills in training camp, Chisholm used his skating ability to minimize attacks from the opposing players.
The issue at hand, however, is the roadblock that lies ahead. Unless several defensemen suffer an injury, Chisholm’s path to the NHL seems doubtful. That being said, if he remains steady on the back end while producing as he did in 2021-22 with the Manitoba Moose (30 points in 53 games), then he becomes a prime candidate to get called up throughout the year.
Leon Gawanke
Gawanke, 23, joins his defensive partner Declan Chisholm on this list because the two of them have been absolutely lights out. Through the first few days of camp, the two of them have thrived in the new-look, aggressive defensive systems that seem to be in place under Rick Bowness.
Gawanke finished fourth in scoring on the Manitoba Moose last season, recording 10 goals and 36 points in 65 games. He is known for his affinity to shoot the puck, leading to several chances for both himself and his teammates around the net. Given the current state of the Jets’ defensive group, his offensive mindset could be a welcome addition.
The issue with Gawanke’s status is similar to Eyssimont, as both require waivers to be sent back to the Moose if needed. It seems unlikely that Gawanke gets the nod over someone like Chisholm, but his play in camp has likely made the staff at least consider the possibility of a blue line featuring him. Gawanke likely starts his season with Chisholm back with the Moose, but once injuries and potential trades take place, expect him to make a difference in that defensive core.
Related Story. Brad Lambert is Making a Great Case to Make the Winnipeg Jets Roster. light