The Paul Maurice Report: Watch out for Mark Scheifele

Paul Maurice gives young center Mark Scheifele some strong instructions during a game against Detroit. Photo courtesy of windorstar.com

Since Paul Maurice has been hired in Winnipeg, I’ve found his interviews to be enlightening and engaging; I’ve enjoyed listening to pretty much every single one. In this article you will find analysis and insight highlighting topics he speaks about that I find interesting. He is one of the best interviewees in hockey and, in my mind, one of the most intelligent as well. He is well known for delivering insightful, well-communicated answers when asked about his hockey club.

When highlighting the differences between last year’s playoff roster and this upcoming season’s roster, the names are easy to switch out, and they’re all at forward. Gone are proven veterans Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak, Jimmy Slater, and Michael Frolik. The Jets now have a bunch of kids to replace ‘em. New to the team this year are Nik Ehlers (19), Nic Petan (20), Andrew Copp (22), and Alex Burmistrov (23), an average age of 21 years old.

So what does this have to do with Maurice?

He was asked about the differences that this will have on the team and if there is any concern. He acknowledged the fact they do indeed look different, and followed with “The structure of how we want to play without the puck is the same. The attitude of how hard we want to compete is the same, but we look different, and we move the puck differently.”

He added quite convincingly at the end of his answer, “But we’re going to work hard. We’re going to compete real hard. We’d like to think we’ll move the puck a little better.”

Call me crazy, but it sounds like by “we move the puck differently” he really means, “we’ll move the puck better”.

Using the both the eye test and the paper test, I can’t say I disagree.

Last year’s team’s success was built on moving the puck fast and hard, putting it into smart areas (for example the outside hash marks of the offensive zone), and going and getting it. What Maurice has said over and over again, and I don’t have a direct quote, but he repeats that “he doesn’t care how they get the puck, as long as they go get it”. So he understands and respects that Blake Wheeler (6’5, 225 lbs.) is going to go and retrieve the puck in a different fashion than Mathieu Perreault (5’10, 188 lbs.).

This is part of what makes Maurice such an excellent coach. The culture he has built here will allow the new players – 3 of whom have never played a game in the NHL before – to have a much easier transition playing in the NHL. Paul’s one expectation to play as a forward in Winnipeg is that you have to go and get the puck, and if you follow the system, you will be able to do it at a higher pace and more frequently. Do that one thing, and he allows you free reign to use your skillset. Don’t do it, and you play less.

So all Ehlers, Petan, and Copp have to do is learn the systems and compete as hard as they possibly can for the puck, and Maurice will then put you in a place to succeed.

So why am I talking about this?

It has me salivating about what exactly Mark Scheifele and his linemates will be able to do this upcoming year.

Maurice said recently “we think we’ve expanded to be able to say hey maybe we have two lines that are able to play against the other team’s best… There’s a different profile of Perreault-Scheifele Ehlers or Perreault-Scheifele-Petan or Petan-Scheifele-Ehlers”.

So some simple insight suggests that Maurice sees Bryan Little and Adam Lowry as centremen capable of playing against the opposition’s top lines. Maurice has repeatedly mentioned how he views Lowry as a player he wants to learn a certain role, and I presume that would be as a big center who can battle against the game’s best.

So this is where Maurice’s line combinations all make a lot of sense, and really create a lot of opportunity for Mark Scheifele.

Assuming:

Ladd-Little-Wheeler

Perreault-Scheifele-Ehlers

Stafford-Lowry-Burmistrov

It’s clear there that Little is your all situations line: playing against the opponent’s best but also understanding they’re capable of providing offense. They’re also the heartbeat and leaders of the team, showing everyone else how hard they have to work.

Lowry’s line is going to play against the opposition’s top two lines as much as possible – while still being aware of the fact that Burmistrov has high end playmaking skills and Stafford is a proven goal scorer in the league. Lowry is capable of adding some great work along the boards and it dawns on you just how fantastic the mix of skillsets are: sniper, puck retriever, and playmaker. And they all know how to play defense.

That leaves Scheifele’s line to play against the rest.

Which means they’re going to get the chance to go crazy on the opponent’s worst two lines, particularly at home.

As the season goes on I would expect them all to have some pretty inflated stats at the MTS Center. With Maurice getting his matchups, there’s going to be a lot of “easy ice time” for that line. They’re all underrated offensive players, too.

Perreault had a stretch last year from December 1 to January 31st where he tallied 25 points in 24 games, including 15 goals. Scheifele has gotten better every single year and should have no problem improving on his 49 points from last year. He looks more confident and dangerous with each passing month. Add in the fact that Nik Ehlers is the most electrifying player they’ve ever drafted, and it just seems like this line getting a whole bunch of favourable matchups all year might result in some big numbers for whoever flanks Scheifele most.

Therefore, I think that…

… As long as all three centremen stay healthy, Scheif should be able to get 33-38 home points this year, just based on the matchups he’ll be getting. You could guess conservatively that he gets 22-27 points on the road, and that’s still looking like a very fine third professional season. He could realistically be the team leader in points this year.

Watch out!