Winnipeg Jets forward Nino Niederreiter and defenseman Neal Pionk are out week-to-week with injuries, according to head coach Scott Arniel. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is also sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained during the Olympics. The team returns from the Olympic break to face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.
The Winnipeg Jets are dealing with several key injuries as they resume their schedule following the 2026 Winter Olympics. Forward Nino Niederreiter, who turns 31 this season, sustained his injury before the Olympics but still represented Switzerland, playing in all five games and scoring one goal while posting a minus-3 rating. This season, he has recorded eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 55 games. Arniel noted that Niederreiter was playing through the injury prior to joining Team Switzerland, and a skate session on Wednesday did not go as hoped.
Defenseman Neal Pionk has a new injury unrelated to his previous lower-body issue that sidelined him since January 13. Arniel explained, “he actually got re-hurt again here this past week.” Pionk, who practiced on Monday and was expected to play against the Canucks, is now week-to-week. He has two goals and six assists for eight points in 40 games this season.
Additionally, defenseman Josh Morrissey remains out with an upper-body injury from Canada's 5-0 preliminary-round win against Czechia on February 12. He was placed on injured reserve retroactive to that date and will miss the Jets' upcoming three-game road trip. Arniel hopes Morrissey can return for the home game against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 3.
Forward Kyle Connor is set to play on Wednesday, joining the first line with Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi after limited Olympic action with the United States. The Jets practiced in Winnipeg on Tuesday ahead of their road trip opener in Vancouver.
