Despite earlier indicating rookie forward Cole Perfetti would likely make it back to the Winnipeg Jets' lineup in time for the postseason, head coach Rick Bowness announced Saturday that he has fallen behind schedule in his recovery process.
Perfetti, who has not skated since Winnipeg's 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils in Newark on February 19, will now likely miss the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs - should the Jets qualify - according to Bowness.
“It’s hard to pinpoint to give an exact time,” the first-year Jets coach said when asked if Perfetti was still on pace to return for the opening round. “It’s probably later than that.”
Since the 21-year-old last suited up, the Jets have gone 8-10-2 and have fallen from a comfortable playoff position to the final wild card spot in the West.
“He’s done for a while yet,” Bowness said. “That’s the only thing that’s changed, he’s physically here.”
Initially, Perfetti was given an eight-week timeframe for his mysterious upper-body injury, initially diagnosed on February 24. That would have put him in line for a return on or around the first week of the postseason. But at this point, fans of the Jets very well may have seen the last of Perfetti, at least until next fall.
He has eight goals and 30 points in 51 games on the season, after putting up two goals and seven points in 18 games following his recall from the Manitoba Moose last year.