After one of the most transitional offseasons in recent history, the Lightning open training camp this week starting with Wednesday’s report day, followed by the first practice Thursday morning at 10:30 at TGH IcePlex in Brandon.

It’s no wonder that Arniel brought a sense of excitement and joy to his first “first day of camp” as Winnipeg ’s head coach. It was evident on the ice, palpable in his own interview and powerful enough to leave GM Kevin Cheveldayoff a bit more contemplative than usual.

Here are other takeaways from Day 1 of training camp. The first forward lines of camp had newcomer Cam Atkinson on the right side of the second line alongside left wing Brandon Hagel and center Anthony Cirelli, so it appears Atkinson will have an opportunity to earn a top-six role over others such as Mitchell Chaffee and Conor Sheary.