The Winnipeg Jets are getting exactly what they need at the perfect time: reinforcements on the blue line.
It’s been a grind for Winnipeg’s defense this season. The Jets have had to navigate a stretch without three key pieces-Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, and Haydn Fleury-all sidelined due to injury. That trio represents a significant chunk of the team’s veteran presence and stability on the back end, and their absence forced the Jets to dip into their depth chart earlier and more often than they would’ve liked.
But now, with the Olympic break hitting pause on the NHL schedule, Winnipeg has a chance to reset-and more importantly, get healthy. The team is optimistic that at least one, if not more, of those injured defenders will be ready to go when play resumes.
That optimism is already showing in the roster moves. The Jets have reassigned Elias Salomonsson and Isaak Phillips back to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
Both young defensemen stepped in admirably during the injury crunch, but the move signals that the big club is clearing space for returning veterans. It’s also a smart development move-Salomonsson and Phillips get to log meaningful minutes with the Moose rather than sitting idle during the break.
In a corresponding move, Manitoba loaned Ben Zloty to the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals, keeping the pipeline active and players engaged.
Looking ahead, the Jets don’t hit the ice again until February 17. That gives the medical staff time to work, the players time to heal, and the coaching staff time to prepare for what’s shaping up to be a critical stretch run.
A healthy blue line could be a game-changer for Winnipeg. When Pionk is in the lineup, he’s a key puck-mover and minute-eater.
Miller brings a steady, veteran presence, and Fleury adds physicality and depth. Getting all three back in the mix would restore balance to the defensive pairings and allow the Jets to better manage ice time down the stretch.
With the playoff race tightening, every edge matters. And for Winnipeg, a rested, reloaded defense might be the edge they’ve been waiting for.