Tyrell Bauer has dropped the gloves in both of his first two games for the Jets, and this afternoon in Detroit he left no doubt.
It started with Bauer laying a huge hit on J.T. Compher. Keegan Kolesar took exception and came after the rookie.
That didn't go well for Kolesar. The 24-year-old defenceman won the exchange decisively, and it wasn't close.
Kolesar wasn't on the Red Wings bench afterward, and his return to the game remains uncertain.
The rookie had already shown that strength earlier this week in the opener against Boston. Two games, two statements.
He's built for this role. Bauer is 24, wears No. 77 and carries an $875,000 cap hit.
Scott Arniel's Jets find an edge with their crease in flux
Winnipeg needed something to rally around. The Jets dropped their opener 4-3 in overtime to Boston, and the Connor Hellebuyck saga still hangs over the room.
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Stuart Skinner and waiver claim Clay Stevenson are holding the crease for now. A physical blue liner who stands up for himself gives that group some cover.
The Jets needed this edge, and Bauer brings it. Just don't let it become his whole identity, because a rookie defenceman still has to earn his minutes with his stick.
He's like the new hire who fixes the copier on day one and the printer on day two. Everyone knows his name by Wednesday.
Detroit's week keeps getting worse. The Red Wings were already dealing with the Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson situations, and now Kolesar's status is a question too.
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Compher, 31, carries a $5,100,000 cap hit and took the hit that started it all.
The Jets head to Pittsburgh on Monday. Teams scouting Winnipeg now know one thing: line up against Bauer at your own risk.
Should the Jets want Tyrell Bauer dropping the gloves this often as a rookie?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Winnipeg Jets informed crushing news on a Connor Hellebuyck trade
