The Winnipeg Jets are getting encouraging signs on two prospects who spent the spring working their way back from injuries.
Nikita Chibrikov looks set to resume full summer training after a core muscle surgery that ended his season. Winnipeg had already ruled him out for the Calder Cup playoffs after an issue surfaced during exit medicals, and the team later said he had undergone successful surgery and would miss six to eight weeks.
Elias Salomonsson’s path has been longer. The defenceman was still recovering from the concussion he suffered in Dallas on April 2, when Jason Robertson delivered a reverse hit, and he was initially left off the Manitoba Moose’s playoff roster.
He was later loaned to Manitoba for the opening round, first skating in a yellow, non-contact jersey before dressing for Games 2 and 3 of the best-of-three series. The Moose won both of those games, but Salomonsson was injured again late in the third period of the deciding game after sliding awkwardly into the boards while trying to make a routine neutral-zone hit.
Winnipeg later announced that Salomonsson had undergone successful shoulder surgery and would need five to six months of rehab.
Before the NHL Draft, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff offered a positive update on both players.
“I think Chibby should be back to full go here as far as doing his summer training and everything like that. With Sal, everything seems to be progressing along as well.
He’ll have a checkup at some point in time here soon, I don’t know exactly the date but the good thing about him is he’ll still be able to do lots of lower-body training and those type of things. I think everything is progressing as expected with him.”
For Chibrikov, that means a chance to push for an NHL roster spot when training camp opens this fall. For Salomonsson, the next step is continuing to build toward a return once he’s medically cleared, with the Jets still keeping him in the mix as they sort through their blue-line options.
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