Winnipeg Jets must deal with two significant injuries to their forwards as they attempt to get back into the playoff race in the Western Conference.
Centre Vladislav Namestnikov is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury suffered during Friday’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks while winger Nino Niederreiter recently had surgery on his lower-body injury and is also considered week-to-week.
#NHLJets Scott Arniel:
Vlad Namestnikov is week-to-week. Could be faster than that, but will be looked at again in Winnipeg.
Scheifele was maintenance, at this point it looks like he’ll play against SJS.
Nino Niederreiter had a lower-body surgery. He’s week-to-week.
— Mitchell Clinton (@MitchellClinton) February 28, 2026
Namestnikov, 33, has seven goals and six assists over 57 games this season. Niederreiter, 33, has eight goals and 11 assists over 55 games.
Star forward Mark Scheifele missed Saturday’s practice due to maintenance, but appears ready to play Sunday against the San Jose Sharks in California.
The 32-year-old native of Kitchener, Ont., has tallied 27 goals and 43 assists over 58 games in 2025-26.
No. 1 defenceman Josh Morrissey, who was injured at the Olympics playing for Team Canada skated in Winnipeg on Saturday.
#NHLJets head coach Scott Arniel said Josh Morrissey is skating in Winnipeg.
It’s unclear if he’ll join the team for practice on Monday, but the fact he’s skating is obviously a positive.
Based on line rushes today, looks like Haydn Fleury could return vs SJS.
— Mitchell Clinton (@MitchellClinton) February 28, 2026
The 30-year-old has 10 goals and 32 assists over 56 games.
A season after capturing the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy, the Jets have struggled in 2025-26, currently sitting eight points out of playoff spot in the Western Conference with 24 games remaining in the season.