Today in a new interview Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel repeatedly praised Mark Scheifele for stepping up in the absence of other veterans. Early in the NHL season the Winnipeg Jets have been <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-jets-captain-adam-lowry-gives-an-updated-timeline-for-his-return-to-game-action' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>decimated by injuries starting with their captain</a> Adam Lowry followed shortly by star defenseman Dylan Samberg and now others. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/jfreshhockey/status/1972726496323366941'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/mitchellclinton/status/1977405039015854090'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> In that process, the Jets lost a long list of veteran players who have helped create the culture of Winnipeg Jets hockey over the last several years. As opening night began, the leadership burden fell heavily upon veterans Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck to carry the load not only on the ice but in the locker room as well. Now, head coach Scott Arniel has shared a lot of praise and respect for Mark Scheifele for taking on a much larger leadership role this season. <h3>Scott Arniel Gives Mark Scheifele A Major Compliment After Taking On New Responsibility</h3> After the Jets most recent game, Arniel spoke to the media and continually spoke about the strides Scheifele has taken as a leader and how much he has helped keep things on track with other veterans out. He's our leader. He's one of our leaders and he's having to do a little bit more with [Jets captain Adam Lowry] being out, with the leadership in our room. His play on the ice has been really good. He's certainly driving some offense there it comes down to a moment, and [Scheifele's] tip was that moment. Heading into the season, there was a lot of concern about how the Jets would be able to handle the massive holes in their lineup and their leadership group to begin the year. Clearly, it seems that Scheifele took it upon himself to go above and beyond to fill those holes in the lineup and the locker room to keep the team not only afloat but thriving to begin the year. While it is still early in the year, the increased leadership and responsibility from Scheifele could be an underrated upgrade as the Jets enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs.