Winnipeg Jets Player News

Morrissey will miss Thursday’s game but head coach Paul Maurice said that his is likely to return to the lineup on Saturday. Luckily for the Jets, they will be getting Dustin Byfuglien back tonight.

Pionk suffered a lower-body injury in Columbus on Sunday and will be out until after the NHL All-Star break. The Rangers will be without both Pionk and Frederik Claesson for at least a few weeks, so look for Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith to remain in the lineup.

Bjugstad has been out since December 6th but will draw back in tonight in Vancouver. Bjugstad, who has four goals and six assists (10 points) in 27 games this season, will start on the top-line with Aleksander Barkov.

Pionk was scratched for Saturday’s game against the Islanders and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game in Columbus.

Lowry missed the final two games before the Christmas break but will play Thursday against the Flames. Lowry will be back in his usual spot on the third line and comes in with 10 points (5G / 5A) in 34 games this season.

DeMelo has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play tonight in New Jersey. DeMelo has enjoyed a quality campaign, picking up eight points (3G / 5A), 44 SOG and a plus-9 rating in 30 games.

Bjugstad took part in the Panthers morning skate but will not play Thursday against Toronto. Bjugstad could potentially return on Saturday, which would force the Panthers to demote a forward.

Bjugstad missed Saturday’s game against the Rangers and will miss at least two more games with an upper-body injury. With Bjugstad out, Troy Brouwer was elevated into the top-6 at Monday’s practice.

Bjugstad was not on the ice for the Panthers morning skate and head coach Bob Boughner announced that he is day-to-day. Don’t expect to see Bjugstad on Saturday, which means Denis Malgin will draw into the lineup.

Bjugstad left Tuesday’s game early and practiced in a non-contact sweater on Wednesday. Despite all of that, it looks like Bjugstad will play vs. the Avalanche. Bjugstad has just 10 points (4G / 6A) in 26 games this season.

Bjugstad was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice in a non-contact sweater after leaving Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Bob Boughner said Bjugstad was feeling “surprisingly decent” and listed him as a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Avalanche. Juho Lammikko centred the third line with Bjugstad limited in practice.

Fleury has missed the last three games with a concussion but is expected to return to the lineup in Los Angeles on Sunday. Fleury has just one assist in eight games this season.

Namestnikov is in concussion protocol and did not travel to Ottawa for Wednesday’s game. With Namestnikov out, Ryan Strome will be bumped into the Rangers top-6.