Jets shuffle lines with key forwards sidelined. Defenseman Fleury returns as Namestnikov, Niederreiter hit IR, impacting playoff push.
The Winnipeg Jets announced multiple roster moves and injury updates Saturday ahead of their Sunday road matchup against the San Jose Sharks.
Forward Vladislav Namestnikov has been placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury and is considered week to week, the team confirmed. Namestnikov exited Friday’s game versus the Anaheim Ducks.
This season Namestnikov has played in 57 games, tallying 7 goals and 13 points, along with 28 penalty minutes and 71 hits prior to his injury.
Defenseman Haydn Fleury has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to be available for Sunday’s game against the Sharks. Fleury has missed more than two months after suffering a scary injury in early January when he was driven backwards into the boards and taken off the ice on a stretcher.
He was later released from the hospital after being evaluated and cleared. Prior to landing on injured reserve, Fleury had appeared in 17 games this season, recording no points, 6 penalty minutes, 11 shots on goal, 23 hits and 26 blocked shots for the Jets. His return adds depth to Winnipeg’s defensive corps as they deal with multiple absences.
Veteran winger Nino Niederreiter has also been placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury and is expected to be out for a while as he recovers following surgery. While the team has not confirmed the exact source of his injury, it is believed Niederreiter may have suffered or aggravated the issue while playing for Switzerland national ice hockey team at the Olympics. Before being sidelined, he had posted 8 goals, 19 points, and 76 shots on net through 55 games this season and had been providing veteran scoring depth for Winnipeg.
These moves reflect a Jets roster that has been hit hard by injuries recently, forcing changes as they continue their push toward the playoffs. Jets fans, with Namestnikov and Niederreiter on injured reserve and Fleury returning, what lineup adjustments do you expect for Sunday in San Jose and who do you think steps up most with these absences?
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