Jets Defense Set To Rebound As Injuries Clear Up During Olympic Break

The Winnipeg Jets’ blue line has faced a rough patch this season, with key defenders Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, and Haydn Fleury all sidelined by injuries. Their absences have left the Jets’ backend thinner than usual, forcing the team to rely on call-ups to fill the gaps.

However, the Olympic break is providing a welcome pause for the Jets, just as other teams across the league are seeing players return from injuries. The organization expects that one or more of Pionk, Miller, and Fleury will be back in the lineup when the team resumes play.

In a recent roster shuffle, the Jets sent temporary call-ups Elias Salomonsson and Isaak Phillips back to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. The move not only clears roster space for returning veterans but also ensures that young defensemen like Salomonsson continue to see regular playing time and stay fresh during the team’s extended break. Correspondingly, the Moose have loaned defenseman Ben Zloty to the organization’s ECHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.

With the team not scheduled to skate again until February 17, the Jets are aiming to return to the ice with a fully healthy defensive corps. A restored blue line could provide a significant boost as Winnipeg looks to make a strong push for the playoffs in the back half of the season.

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