Jets’ Dylan Samberg suffers broken foot after blocking shot by Predators’ Steven Stamkos

The Winnipeg Jets will be without Dylan Samberg for the immediate future as the veteran defenseman suffered a broken foot in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.

Samberg suffered the injury after blocking a shot by Predators center Steven Stamkos midway through the second period. Samberg did not return to the ice following the play, and post game, Jets head coach Scott Arniel confirmed the injury, per Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Samberg, 25, has had a solid start to the 2024-25 campaign, already with three goals and three assists for six points through 21 appearances. The Minnesota native finished last season with 18 points in 78 outings.

This season, Samberg has taken on more responsibility on the Winnipeg blue line as he has averaged nearly 21 minutes a game, more than a five-minute uptick from a year ago. Samberg sits fourth in ice time among Winnipeg rearguards this season, behind Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, and Neal Pionk.

A second-round selection from the 2017 NHL Draft, Samberg has skated in part of four seasons with the Jets where through 177 career contests he has collected six goals and 31 assists for 37 points. He also spent part of two seasons with the minor-league affiliate Manitoba Moose, registering 19 points counting one goal and 18 assists through 64 total appearances. Samberg is a graduate of the NCAA’s Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

Samberg carries a $1.4-million annual average value and can become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, per PuckPedia.

Despite Saturday’s loss to the Predators, the Jets remain atop the NHL standings with a 17-4-0 record and hold a four-point lead on the Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils. The Jets will look to return to their winning ways when the club takes on the Wild on Monday in Minnesota.