Together once again

They stopped short of reintroducing themselves, but the Winnipeg Jets on Monday did get reacquainted with the excitement of being together to prepare for a game that means something.

After a long pre-season that saw the team split into two playing groups, the Jets kick off the regular campaign Thursday, in St. Louis.

“There’s a little bit more of a buzz, especially in practice,” captain Blake Wheeler said.

“I think that’s more we finally have our team together.

“With the scheduling in the preseason, we hardly spent any time together, we were kind of split in half.

“So that can make it challenging. You don’t really have anything to build off, you’re not seeing the same faces every day.

“But being back with the guys,

getting some good practising in and just trying to re-assert some of the things we believe in, that make us a good team, creates a better atmosphere in practice.”

The only face missing on Monday was that of defenceman Joe Morrow, who coach Paul Maurice said was sick.

Dustin Byfuglien was again paired with Ben Chiarot, Tyler Myers with Dmitry Kulikov, Jacob Trouba with Josh Morrissey.

Up front, rookie Finn Kristian Vesalainen skated alongside Jack Roslovic and Nik Ehlers on a socalled fourth line, with Brendan Lemieux and Marko Dano the “extra” forwards.

Michael Spacek was sent to the Moose.