Pionk has been sidelined since mid-January, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at morning skate on Thursday. The Jets, who are making a late-season push for a Wild Card spot, would greatly benefit from Pionk returning to the lineup. The 30-year-old defenseman was averaging 22:47 time-on-ice, recording eight points (2G / 6A), 64 blocks, and 84 hits in 40 games before his injury.
Freij was drafted by Winnipeg in the second round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and is gearing up to make his professional North American debut in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. The 20-year-old defenseman had 11 points (6G / 5A) this season in 42 games with Timra IK (SweHL).
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Wednesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner snapped a five-game losing streak (0-1-4) in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth. The Penguins, welcoming their leader, Sidney Crosby (lower body), back into the lineup after a multi-week absence, enter Wednesday's contest as +127 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that defeated them 5-4 in a shootout less than two weeks ago.
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Wednesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner snapped a five-game losing streak (0-1-4) in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth. The Penguins, welcoming their leader, Sidney Crosby (lower body), back into the lineup after a multi-week absence, enter Wednesday's contest as +127 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that defeated them 5-4 in a shootout less than two weeks ago.
Pionk has been sidelined since mid-January, but appears to be inching closer to a return after returning to practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday. The Jets, who are making a late-season push for a Wild Card spot, would greatly benefit from Pionk returning to the lineup. The 30-year-old defenseman was averaging 22:47 time-on-ice, recording eight points (2G / 6A), 64 blocks, and 84 hits in 40 games before his injury.
Thrun was recalled over the weekend for precautionary measures with Oliver Ekman-Larsson (personal) out of the lineup, but he will head back to the AHL. The 25-year-old Thrun has 20 points (4G / 16A) in 42 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season.
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Tuesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner was lightly tested in his previous outing and had a disappointing performance, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Skinner has a concerning 3.31 GAA and .847 SV% in his last five games (1-1-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as +183 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Tuesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner was lightly tested in his previous outing and had a disappointing performance, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Skinner has a concerning 3.31 GAA and .847 SV% in his last five games (1-1-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as +183 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
With Buffalo having an influx of young forwards, Isak Rosen found himself on the outside and was traded alongside Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick to Winnipeg for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn on Thursday. Rosen was drafted in the 1st round of the 2021 NHL Draft (14th overall) but has failed to stick at the NHL level through three seasons. In 2025-26 he appeared in 16 games, picking up a career high three goals, seven points and 16 SOG.
Lambert was drafted 30th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to make his presence felt at the NHL level and has also battled adversity in the AHL. The 22-year-old Lambert has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 34 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season.
With Buffalo having an influx of young forwards, Isak Rosen found himself on the outside and has been traded alongside Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick to Winnipeg for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. Rosen was drafted in the 1st round of the 2021 NHL Draft (14th overall) but has failed to stick at the NHL level through three seasons. In 2025-26 he appeared in 16 games, picking up a career high three goals, seven points and 16 SOG.
Morrissey was unable to contribute to Team Canada at the Olympics after suffering an injury in their opening game and been sidelined for the Jets since the NHL resumed action. With Neal Pionk also injured, the team is eagerly awaiting Morrissey's return to the lineup and top powerplay unit. The 30-year-old Morrissey has 42 points (10G / 32A) in 56 games this season.
Duehr has played three games with the Jets this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 28-year-old forward has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 39 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this season.
Phillips played three games with the Jets this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 24-year-old defenseman has 19 points (5G / 14A) in 44 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season.
With Buffalo having an influx of young forwards, Isak Rosen found himself on the outside and has been traded alongside Jacob Bryson, a 2027 2nd Round Pick, and conditional 2026 4th Round Pick to Winnipeg for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. Rosen was drafted in the 1st round of the 2021 NHL Draft (14th overall) but has failed to stick at the NHL level through three seasons. In 2025-26 he appeared in 16 games, picking up a career high three goals, seven points and 16 SOG.
Philipps will get an opportunity to play on Thursday as a result of the Jets sitting Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley, presumably for roster management purposes. Ville Heinola will also draw into the Jets lineup.
