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Appleton, Bourque next men up
DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Gabriel Bourque (white jersey) keeps the puck away from Nathan Beaulieu during practice at the Bell MTS Iceplex Saturday.
Let’s be clear: Mason Appleton and Gabriel Bourque aren’t going to be mistaken for Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor. Not now. And likely not ever.
Heady, useful players, sure. But hardly the type to bring fans out of their seats or create a buzz around the NHL.
But the cold, hard reality is that with Laine, 21, and Connor, 22, both missing from Winnipeg Jets training camp as a result of ongoing contract disputes, two major vacancies on the wing will need to be filled until the restricted free agents are signed to new deals and return.