Manitoba Moose Slow Start Overshadows Promising Starts From Salomonsson, Chibrikov

The Manitoba Moose haven't celebrated their 25th anniversiry season the way they've wanted to as they've experienced some early season woes with a 5-8-0 record with a -8 goal differential. It may just be a symptom of a slow start but the team has shown some early bright spots with their top two point producers, Nikita Chibrikov and Elias Salomonsson.

The two have kept the Moose on the board consisently thanks to their passing prowess as they've combined for 14 assists through 13 games this season. Jets fans have likely heard Chibrikov's name before as the 21-year-old Russian winger has quickly inserted himself in the conversation for a NHL roster spot after recording 47 points in 70 AHL games last season.

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He was called up for his NHL debut late last season and made it one to remember as he scored his first career goal. So far this season, he's recorded three goals and eight assists for 11 points, which has him projected to finish with just over 60 points this season.

Salomonsson is just behind him in points with three goals and six assists for nine points in 12 games. It's fairly rare to see a defenceman excel at the level Salomonsson is while also learning a new style of game as this is his first pro season in North America. The 20-year-old Swede has played all of his hockey career within the Skellefteå AIK hockey club from the Swedish Hockey League.

During his best and final season with the team, he recorded two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 31 games, which means his current projections with the Moose this season could see him with finish with career-best numbers as a pro. The two have praised each other for their play with Salomonsson noting Chibrikov's excellent on-ice talents.

"He is such a skilled player. He has a great shot, great voice and great vision. So it's pretty fun to play with him, and he's been doing great for us," Salomonsson said.

Chibrikov returned the favour by noting how seemless the transition has been for Salomonsson so far this season and how he has been a great addition to the team's power play.

"Really good guy, good start here in North America straight from the start, like he came from Europe, and good adaptation here from him. He has nice movement on the power play, he's two way defenceman so he can help in our own zone and offensively," he said.

Salomonsson should prove to be a great addition to a Moose team with a solid core of young talent that have struggled to start the season. Forward Brad Lambert finished as the Moose's top point producer last season with 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 64 games yet has just one goal through 12 games this season. Parker Ford is another Moose forward that had an impactful season last year, finishing with 41 points in 71 games but has just two goals and four assists for six points this season.

Chibrikov added the team should work it's way through the early season struggles as they added a lot of new pieces to the lineup and are still figuring out their style of play and identity as a team.

“We signed some new guys and the start of the season we had some good games, some, closer good games from the team. We're working through a process now to find our best game," he said with Salomonsson adding that the team is looking to fine tune 'small details' in their game.

The Moose can hopefully build some momentum after their 5-3 win Monday against the Chicago Wolves, who they play host to for back-to-back games this Thursday and Saturday. You can watch all Manitoba Moose games on Flohockey.tv or listen to the action at CJOB.com/sports, MooseHockey.com/LISTENLIVE and the Winnipeg Jets App.