Jets put new forward Tangradi into action against former Penguins teammates

Eric Tangradi, in Pittsburgh, on Feb. 2, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Gene J. Puskar

WINNIPEG - Eric Tangradi said on Friday it felt a little odd as he prepared to take to the ice for the Winnipeg Jets against a team he was playing with just a few days ago.

He was slotted in at left wing on a line with Olli Jokinen and Kyle Wellwood, as they prepared for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team Tangradi was with until Wednesday.

"It's kind of like seeing your ex-girlfriend at the bar the next night," he said after practice. "It's a little bit different feeling but you know I have the mindset, no friends tonight, I've got new teammates on my side and just try and play my game and be physical."

But Tangradi is happy to get more of a chance than he had with the Penguins to play to the full extent of his ability.

"Sometimes I felt like I had a short leash out there," he said. "I felt like playing games I was playing just not to make a mistake instead of getting to my game and I think that's what held be back and really prevented me from really getting to my game and doing the things that I felt got me to the NHL."

The Jets also were getting defenceman Zach Bogosian back for his first game since he had off-season wrist surgery.

He said he was looking forward to playing again after the long layoff but didn't expect it to be easy and he had a plan.

"I guess just keep things simple," said Bogosian. "Play my game, probably get into it a little bit physically just to get into the game, and see how it goes."