Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers will be out for a period of time, according to the team, due to a right foot injury. This situation comes after a collision with an official during Saturday’s game, just as the Presidents’ Trophy winners prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel reported that the injury to 29-year-old Ehlers occurred during the 5-4 shootout win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Arniel explained that Ehlers’ lower-body injury was aggravated, being an ailment he had already suffered earlier in the season.
It’s related to the first time. Obviously, he re-injured it when he collided with the lineup.
Scott Arniel
Ehlers, who is in his tenth season with the Jets, is a fundamental piece in the team’s offense, accumulating 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games. Selected in the 9th position of the 2014 draft, Ehlers has 520 career points (225 goals, 295 assists) in 674 games.
In positive news for the team, forward Gabriel Vilardi has been listed as “day-to-day” in his recovery from an unspecified injury, according to Arniel. Vilardi, 25, had been out for several weeks following an injury on March 23, but has already begun skating on his own.
Arniel also confirmed that defenseman Dylan Samberg is doing well after suffering an apparent injury while blocking a shot in the 4-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Samberg, 26, who has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 59 games this season, participated in Tuesday’s practice.
Before facing the team with the lowest score of the two wildcards in the first round, Arniel indicated that the Jets plan to line up their regular players in the last regular season game on Wednesday at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Winnipeg is one point away from setting a franchise record with 115 points this season.
