Opportunity knocks and Stanley answers – Winnipeg Free Press

DALLAS — Logan Stanley may have wondered if he'd ever get the chance to be more than just the man to turn on when his services were needed.

A healthy scratch in 43 of the first 53 games this season, Stanley's chances to make the Winnipeg Jets lineup were few and far between.

Between December 13 and February 8, Stanley missed 21 consecutive games, none of which were due to injury.

While Winnipeg's defensive corps has been incredibly healthy this season, Stanley is seventh on the depth chart.

With the acquisition of Colin Miller at the trade deadline, there was some questioning whether the Stanleys could slip another notch. It just didn't happen.

By facing the Dallas Stars for the third straight game on Thursday, Stanley has emerged as a contender to advance to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs later this month.

“It feels good to be playing hockey this time of year,” Stanley said. “Better than looking, that's for sure. I just try to play my game, keep it simple and be confident and build trust with the coaches. We'll see what happens next.”

Stanley has obviously been through enough in his NHL career to realize he can't go on cruise control. Because there's always someone on the roster or in the minors looking to step up, a player on the edge of the roster should always be available.

There have been many mental challenges for Stanley this season, but he has found a way to stay level and play his best hockey when the games get tough.

“Any way to make a good impact on the game, it feels good,” Stanley said. “That's what I'm trying to do.”

Jets head coach Rick Bowness played down the idea of ​​competing for the third-pairing spot with Dylan Samberg as the coaching staff tries to keep Stanley, Nate Schmidt and Miller all sharp as the regular season winds down.

That may be true, but it's hard not to notice that Stanley has appeared in six of the last eight games compared to four for Schmidt and one for Miller.

That doesn't mean Stanley won the job, but he was able to bridge the gap and give the coaching staff something to talk about.

“He's not chasing the game, he's letting the game come to him,” Bowness said. “When (there's) an opportunity to be physical, he makes his presence felt. He plays with the puck quickly, simply and easily. He's going to play sometimes, he's going to get hit hard and he's going to get through it.

“The main thing is that he has been very consistent and there is no drop in his game.”

Stanley's ability to fight through the long stretches between games impresses his teammates and coaches.

“He comes to the rink ready to work,” Bowness said. “As frustrating as it has been for him, it's been the last couple of years. He suffered an injury last year that set him back and limited his ice time. “This year, as hard as it was, when he wasn't playing, he kept his upper lip and kept working.”

Stanley's longevity and ability to help clear the front of the net on the penalty kill is another reason his stock has risen.

The final decision on who will be on the third pairing in Winnipeg's postseason matchup and beyond will likely depend on the matchup and, most likely, there will still be plenty of jockeys for the position.

Stanley's focus on himself is a testament to his ability to maintain a positive attitude.

“Coming out of the lineup for so long and being able to keep your mind sharp and stay positive and continue to be on a great team is priceless,” Jets captain Adam Lowry said. “That's what makes (Stanley) so popular in the room. Whether he plays or not, his behavior does not change. He supports the guys, puts in extra work in the gym, and when these opportunities come up, he's constantly working on his game so that he can take advantage of them and play really well.”

Stanley, the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, knows he has a lot to give and wants to make a big impact.

“The more you play, the easier the game gets,” Stanley said. “It's hard to sit out for a couple of weeks after playing one or two games. It gets easier the more you play and you have to stay on top of your game.

“We have eight strong (blueliners), so anybody can play on any given night.”

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Ken Wiebe
Sports reporter

Growing up in the booming metropolis of Altoona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were better at typing than scoring goals, he turned his attention to covering his favorite sport as a writer.

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