When you’re among the group of players unsure how many chances you’ll get to catch the attention of the coaching staff and management, it’s critical to strike early. Enter Danny Zhilkin, a Winnipeg Jets forward prospect whose development seemed stalled during his first two professional seasons with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Now back to full health and having spent the summer working on several areas of his game — as relayed to him in discussions with various members of the organization — Zhilkin is off to a fantastic start.
After standing out as the Jets’ best player during the prospect tournament in Montreal last weekend, Zhilkin scored an impressive goal off the rush on a one-timer in a game his team eventually lost 3-2 in overtime to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at Canada Life Centre.
“Whatever the reason, he’s done a fantastic job this summer and coming prepared,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “He plays a lot of different kinds of roles. I’m not sure if he’s a penalty killer or a power play guy. He’s got some offence to him. He’s done a better job on his face-offs, he’s responsible at his end of the rink. Another guy where we’re seeing growth. That’s what you want with your young guys. You want to see them mature. Sometimes it takes guys a couple of years to find it. Some guys get it quicker than others. He really has opened up a lot of eyes for guys.”
Given the organizational depth the Jets added during the off-season, the deck might be stacked against Zhilkin making the team out of training camp. But if he keeps up this level of play, it’s clear he could work his way into the discussion as a recall candidate.
### The Wheels: Kevin He Impresses
Speaking of players continuing to progress, Jets forward prospect Kevin He was quite noticeable, thanks in part to his explosive skating. Much like he did last fall when he suited up in his first NHL exhibition game, He used his speed on multiple occasions to make life difficult for opponents.
“Obviously, he can burn,” said Arniel, noting that He added 10 or 12 pounds of muscle since last year’s training camp. “Last year, he looked light. He looked like a guy who was at his first camp. This year, He ran into some people, he made a great play on the goal, he was a little bit more responsible without the puck. He’s a kid that went back and had a really good year in the Ontario Hockey League. You love to see guys grow and progress each year. That’s what he’s done.”
He got on the scoresheet with a nifty drop pass to Zhilkin, who buried his shot to make it 2-0 for the Jets.
Jets defenceman Colin Miller initiated the play with a clean zone exit to Sam Fagemo, who found He with a cross-ice stretch pass, allowing him to enter the offensive zone with speed. As the Wild defenceman tried to force He into a mistake, He spotted Zhilkin trailing on the rush and calmly left the puck for him to one-time home the goal at 8:02 of the first period.
Zhilkin said he was vocal in letting He know he was open for the play. “Yeah, I was screaming his name, I really wanted that puck,” said Zhilkin, a third-round pick by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft. “Hard work is paying off. I just have to continue to do my best and hopefully try to turn heads here and keep going.”
Although He was given a penalty for hooking during the first period, he displayed great hustle on the backcheck. The infraction came as He attempted to lift the stick of Wild forward Adam Benak and caught his hands, leading to the call.
Given the Jets’ forward depth and the fact that He isn’t eligible to be sent to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, the plan for the 2024 fourth-rounder is to keep earning extra looks and delay his return to the Ontario Hockey League as long as possible.
### The Removal: Brad Lambert’s Concussion Protocol
Jets forward prospect Brad Lambert was on the ice ready to contribute on the power play after drawing a penalty with an explosive rush on the first shift of the three-on-three overtime. However, the overtime ended with Lambert crashing into Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt after being tripped by defenceman David Jiricek.
Shortly after, one of the referees approached the Jets bench to inform head coach Scott Arniel that Lambert had to be removed following a concussion spotter’s prompt.
“He stayed on his hands and knees a little bit too long, I guess,” said Arniel. “I just got told he has to come out. I don’t know anything on him yet. I’ll probably know in the next day or so.”
Lambert, who played right wing on a line with Brayden Yager and Phil Di Giuseppe, finished the game with two shots on goal and two hits in just over 17 minutes of ice time.
He is one of the young players trying to force his way onto the Jets roster by using his speed and showcasing his skill. Earlier in the contest, Lambert was hit hard behind the net in the offensive zone by veteran blue-liner Jack Johnson, who is in Wild camp on a professional tryout.
### The Hits Heat Up
If you thought this would be a sleepy exhibition game, Wild forward Yakov Trenin delivered an early run at Jets defenceman Logan Stanley on the forecheck during one of the first shifts. Stanley responded immediately with a cross-check, showing he wasn’t going to back down.
Jets blue-liner Tyrel Bauer landed a heavy hit on Wild forward Lirim Amidovski, but Bauer also found himself on the receiving end with a hard check from Hunter Haight.
### The Key Play
With 61 seconds left in overtime, Wild forward Yakov Trenin found a loose puck in front of the Jets net and buried his shot for his second goal of the contest, securing the overtime winner.
### The Three Stars
– **Wild F Yakov Trenin:** Scored twice, including the overtime winner.
– **Jets F Samuel Fagemo:** Contributed two assists and recorded three shots on goal.
– **Jets F Kevin He:** Delivered a slick drop pass for an assist and used his speed effectively throughout the game.
### Extra, Extra
Jets forward Morgan Barron notched a power-play goal, screening on a point shot by Elias Salomonsson before finding the rebound in front.
Jets forward prospect Nikita Chibrikov had an active night, registering three shots on goal, seven shot attempts, four hits, and one blocked shot.
The Jets will be back in action on Tuesday when they host the Edmonton Oilers. Over the weekend, Arniel announced that Winnipegger Jonathan Toews will make his exhibition game debut against the Oilers.
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For more from Ken Wiebe, follow on Twitter and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld.
Contact: ken.wiebe@freepress.com
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/09/21/zhilkin-he-stand-tall-in-jets-pre-season-opener