Jets Gain Reinforcements, Lose Eyssimont as Team Returns to Health

The Winnipeg Jets will look significantly different when they take to the ice on Friday in their battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And it’s certainly been a long time coming.

Having been without seven regulars for the last stretch of games, the Jets will have Nikolaj Ehlers, Blake Wheeler, Cole Perfetti and Nate Schmidt all back in the lineup as the four players return to health following lengthy stays on the club’s injured reserve.

“To get four guys back is ridiculous, really. You never see that,” all-star defenceman Josh Morrissey said. “There’s a huge excitement level for us. We’ve done a good job of weathering injuries and adversity throughout the season so far. The guys that have come in have done a fantastic job.”

Ehlers has missed the past 11 weeks following sports hernia surgery. Wheeler missed nine games with a ruptured testicle.

After sending Jansen Harkins through waivers to the Manitoba Moose earlier in the week, Rick Bowness‘ crew also took a gamble on rough and tumble depth forward Michael Eyssimont by placing him on waivers for the purpose of being sent to the minors on Thursday. However, on Friday afternoon it was announced that Eyssimont was claimed by the San Jose Sharks, to whom he will report.

The team does still have a rather messy assortment of depth wingers and centremen to sort out following the various returns from injury. As it stands, the Jets’ forward depth consists of Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Kevin Stenlund, Sam Gagner, Morgan Barron, Karson Kuhlman and David Gustafsson, while Mason Appleton & Saku Maenalanen remain on the team’s injured reserve.

On defence, Logan Stanley is still on injured reserve, while Ville Heinola, Dylan Samberg and Kyle Capobianco will battle for the final D spot with Schmidt returning to action on Friday.

“I walked into the weight room when they were all stretching and there was a loud buzz,” Coach Bowness said. “I think the guys that are coming back are very excited to get back and also the guys that are here are very excited to have them back. A lot of buzz, and a lot of excitement for the players.”

Bowness, whom the NHL recognized earlier in the day, will be standing on the bench for the 2,600th time in his career. That number is by far the most amongst any NHL coach — head or assistant — all-time. And according to the Jets’ bench boss, he didn’t even know it.

“For me, it means we’re playing the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight and we need the two points. Someone mentioned it to me and I wasn’t even aware of it,” Bones laughed. “It’s a matter of coming to the rink every day and love being here. I’m lucky I haven’t had to do anything else. I never had a Plan B, I wasn’t smart enough to come up with a Plan B. It was hockey or nothing. I’ve been very fortunate, very blessed to coach this long, stay in the league this long. I never take a day for granted. Every day is a blessing here.”

It’s not just the Jets that will boast a different look, but the Bolts too will be sporting a few different faces than fans have become accustomed to seeing over the past five-plus years. All-world goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will be a game-time decision as he continues to recover from a non-COVID related illness, while former Jet and Stanley Cup winner Zach Bogosian will also miss Friday’s game. Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman will be away from the team as he is with his wife who is expecting a child.

The opportunity for a well-rested Jets offensive attack is real.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM Central Time, with Winnipeg entering the contest as winners of three straight, while Tampa is coming off a 5-1 loss to Minnesota two nights prior.

The Jets will remain at home following Friday’s game, to which the Vancouver Canucks pop in on Sunday afternoon for the second time in four home games as the team closes out its mini two-game homestand.

Both games can be viewed live on TSN.