“ So you ’ re going into the corner against Dustin Byfuglien , and you ’ re Mathieu Perreault – there ’ s a big difference in size ”
“ If you don ’ t win your one-on-one battles , you ’ re not going to get the puck back ,” said Vincent . “ You may have the best system in the world , but if you don ’ t win that battle , then you ’ re not going to get it .
“ So you ’ re going into the corner against Dustin Byfuglien , and you ’ re Mathieu Perreault – there ’ s a big difference in size . But you need to find a way to win those battles . It ’ s different for every player .”
For a defenceman the size of Byfuglien , winning a oneon-one battle can be done on strength alone . But for someone like Josh Morrissey , who stands six feet and weighs 195 pounds , a bit more strategy is needed .
Enter five-time Stanley Cup champion and Jets assistant coach , Charlie Huddy .
“ For smaller guys a lot of it is body position ,” he said . “ You get in and you get too tight on bigger guys and they want you to do that . They want you to get on the body so they can spin off you . I always say to Josh , give yourself a little bit of a buffer . Be off him a foot or so , and still use your stick . If the guy tries to spin off you , you still have body position on him .”
Case in point , the Jets opening goal in the final matchup of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights .
First , Morrissey separated Alex Tuch from the puck in a one-on-one off the rush . Then , he won a puck battle below the goal line in the Jets ’ end of the ice , stealing it away from both Tuch and Cody Eakin before threading an outlet pass to Kyle Connor , leading to Joel Armia ’ s 10th goal of the season .
The importance of these battles is so crucial , the Jets have shifted the focus of the off-season ’ s development camp to focus on those small details . Puck retrievals , quick passes and body position are the main priority for young prospects from the moment they ’ re introduced to the team .
“ It ’ s skill development , but not toe-drag development ,” said Maurice . “ We went out on the ice with them and worked on things that are very important in the NHL game – the ability to go back and get the puck and make something happen with it .
“ Sometimes it ’ s just a clean simple play .”