The Winnipeg Jets head into Saturday’s matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes already carrying a growing injury list and a little more urgency than they’d probably like this early in the season.
They’re 4-1-2 after Thursday night’s 4-3 overtime loss in Chicago, a game that started poorly before Winnipeg found its footing. Connor Bedard opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, and Frank Nazar added his third to push the Blackhawks ahead 2-0. Neal Pionk got the Jets on the board with three minutes left in the first, but Ryan Donato answered less than 20 seconds later to restore Chicago’s two-goal cushion.
Winnipeg settled in after that rough opening period. Kyle Connor buried his almost league leading eighth goal of the season in the second, and Alex Iafallo tied it late in the third with his second of the year. That at least earned the Jets a point, but Artyom Levshunov finished things off in overtime and sent Chicago home with the win.
The bigger concern coming out of Thursday may be the health of several key names. Josh Morrissey, who was initially labeled day-to-day, has now been downgraded to week-to-week with an upper body injury.
The issue appears to be a wrist or hand problem after he missed a bodycheck in the first period against Colorado on October 7. Surgery won’t be needed, but it now looks like he won’t be available for the Heritage Classic on October 25th.
Vladislav Namestnikov is also week-to-week after a bad fall during the morning skate before the game against the Blackhawks. After the game, Scott Arniel said Namestnikov felt worse as the day went on, and he’ll be fully examined when the team gets back to Winnipeg today.
The list doesn’t stop there. Walker Duehr and Garrett Brown are listed as non-rostered injuries from the Manitoba Moose, while Connor Hellebuyck remains suspended as the Jets continue to focus on trying to complete his ongoing trade request. Elias Salomonsson is close to returning after offseason shoulder surgery, though his target game back later in October still isn’t clear.
All of this is landing just as the Jets get closer to one of the biggest dates on their calendar. They’re now exactly nine days away from hosting the Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium for the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic. Preparations at the stadium are continuing this weekend, with branding being added around the building and the tarp now covering the field ahead of ice installation.
The pre-game setup has also been unveiled. It will run across the street from the game from 12-5:30 CT, giving fans something to do before puck drop at 6.
Saturday’s visit from the Hurricanes comes against a hot Carolina team sitting at 6-1-1, and it gives Winnipeg another test while the roster continues to absorb injuries.
In Other News...
Wild Fans Should Read Into Carson Lambos' Sudden Roster Twist
The Wilds quick move with Carson Lambos was the kind of roster shuffle that catches attention because it usually says something about where a young defenseman stands in the pecking order. Minnesota recalled him, then sent him right back to AHL Iowa after just one day, while the Blues also made a prospect move of their own by assigning Felix Trudeau to AHL Springfield after an upper-body injury.
For Winnipeg, the more relevant subplot is on the other side of the border, where Elias Salomonsson is nearing a return with AHL Manitoba as he works back from a shoulder injury. The Jets are always watching how their young defensemen handle those first games back, and Salomonssons next step with the Moose will be worth tracking as he tries to reestablish himself in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Keep Winning As Hellebuyck Loses Leverage In Holdout
Connor Hellebuycks holdout has taken on a very different feel now that the Jets have kept rolling without him. The goalie is suspended without pay after skipping training camp while waiting for a trade, but Winnipeg no longer appears eager to welcome him back into the room, according to TSNs Darren Dreger. With the team holding its ground and the standings not pushing them to change course, the leverage Hellebuyck once seemed to have is starting to look a lot thinner.
Interest around the league has also cooled as questions grow about his conditioning and his recent performance, which makes any return or trade discussion more complicated. The NHL continues to back Winnipegs right to suspend him, and teams that might have checked in are now more uneasy about taking on the risk. For the Jets, the bigger story is that they have kept winning without him, and that only sharpens the pressure on whichever side blinks first. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Heritage Classic Weekend Just Got Another Reason To Show Up Early
The build-up to the NHL Heritage Classic already had plenty packed into it, and now there is another reason for fans to circle October 24. The weekend will include the Winnipeg Jets Alumni Game at Canada Life Centre, along with the Heritage Fan Fest, a watch party and the Jets Gala before the outdoor game itself arrives on October 25.
The entertainment side of the alumni night got a notable boost with a familiar Canadian rock act set to be part of the evenings atmosphere, helping turn the event into more than just a tune-up for the main attraction. On the ice, the alumni game will bring former Jets together against Montral Canadiens alumni, giving the weekend an extra layer of nostalgia before the Heritage Classic closes out the celebration. [Read more 🡒]