SUNDAY FEATURE: Gustafsson’s AHL tenure gives glimpse of NHL potential

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Ever since David Gustafsson got his taste of the big leagues, having suited up for 22 games this past fall, his goal has been to get the full bite.

Which is why when the 19-year-old Swedish center returned from the World Juniors with a Bronze Medal and was presented with two options for where to play out the rest of the season - either in the AHL with the Moose, or back overseas in the SHL - he didn't have to think twice about the merits of staying in Winnipeg.

“I mean, I want to play on the Jets. That’s my main goal and I feel like to play here is the best way to get there. It was kind of an easy choice for me,” Gustafsson told InsideAHLHockey.com after his Moose debut on Friday, which was his first taste of game action since the World Juniors, where he suffered shoulder injury.

After recording four points in seven games and leading all skaters in face-off win percentage (71%) at the World Juniors, it wouldn't do Gustafsson’s development any good to return to the NHL and rotate in-and-out of a fourth line role that saw him play just a hair over six minutes a night. While he may have displayed terrific role playing abilities at the NHL level - like winning 54% of the face-offs he took in the big leagues, while displaying a strong two-way game - he’s not a finished product, yet. Hence, the benefit of Gustafsson playing a prominent role in the AHL in the midst of a formative season.

“Sometimes, playing more minutes in the American League level, than less minutes in the NHL, will benefit you in the long term,” Pascal Vincent told InsideAHLHockey.com at the Moose’s practice on January 6th ahead of Gustafsson’s re-assignment.

Ever since making his Moose debut last weekend after a month-long shoulder rehab, Gustafsson has been given plenty of ice-time in all types of situations through his first five AHL games. Be it while skating in the team's top-six at even-strength, on the penalty kill, for a crucial defensive zone draw or even in front of the net on the power play, Gustafsson has looked wise beyond his years in any situation he has been put in. Given how well he processes the game, thanks to an exceptional hockey IQ,  it's crazy to think the 6’2, 196 lb centre is still a teenager when you take into account how mature of a player he is.

“He knows where to be, at all times, he’s always in the right position, every single time.” Moose goaltender Eric Comrie told InsideAHLHockey.com after the Moose’s 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday night. “You’re never worried about Gus on the ice. There’s some guys where it’s like, ‘Ok, where’s he going to be, when they’re young.’ And him? Nope. You know he’s going to do the right thing 90% of the time.”

While the Moose were defending their one goal lead late into the third period on Saturday night, Gustafsson was sent out to take the defensive zone face-off and to defend the lead.

“It’s nice to see that [Pascal Vincent] trusts me already,” Gustafsson admitted. “That’s where I want to play, I want to take those last face-offs when we are up by one."

While he’s never been regarded as a player with much offensive upside, the poise Gustafsson’s displayed with the puck over the last couple games, at a speed level just below the NHL, may lead one to believe he could unlock some hidden offensive potential.

Sure, Gustafsson has recorded zero points thus far into his AHL tenure, but the Jets 2018-second round pick also generated a plethora of scoring chances, game-in and game-out, in virtue of some really smart zone-exits/zone-entries that he created for himself. Gustafsson’s recorded seven shots on goal thus far, but that doesn't account for the handful of prime scoring chances he’s created, yet failed to capitalize on by shooting the puck wide or too high.

That’s still progress, though.

“He’s been here only for a limited amount of time, but he’s [already] creating chances offensively,” Vincent pointed out.

Gustafsson’s complete defensive game may incline one to believe that the Moose should provide Gustafsson with more offensive opportunities. While the Jets’ AHL affiliate has certainly done that, there’s really no point in giving Gustafsson more power play time at the expense for less minutes in areas like the penalty kill, or in defensive-zone face-off situations at even-strength, where he’ll be needed at the next level.

“Keep in mind that we’re developing a player for the Jets and I don’t think he’ll play above [Mark] Scheifele and Patrik Laine on the power play,” Vincent explained after Gustafsson’s AHL debut on February 6th before he stated that Gustafsson will indeed get some time on the power play.

Gustafsson won’t be a top-six player for the Winnipeg Jets, but that doesn't mean he won’t be a valuable piece for the organization for years to come.

“You can tell right away by the way he plays, he has a bright future in front of him,” Comrie said

Taking on a big role with the Moose is the first step to what looks to be a long NHL career for Gustafsson.