Jets Suffer Key Losses in 3-2 Pre-Season Defeat to Wild

UPDATE: The Winnipeg Jets faced a troubling setback in their pre-season matchup against the Minnesota Wild, suffering a 3-2 loss on September 26, 2023, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Most concerning is the injury status of key players Jonathan Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov, who both left the game early, raising alarms ahead of the regular season.

In a game marked by intensity, Toews, returning from a two-year hiatus, played just over 10 minutes before exiting midway through the second period. Coach Scott Arniel reported that Toews “just tweaked something” and will be evaluated further upon returning home. Meanwhile, Namestnikov’s exit came after a late-game hit from Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who sent him crashing into the boards. Although Namestnikov initially appeared okay, he was pulled from the game due to concussion protocols, as confirmed by Arniel.

The Jets are already facing challenges with Adam Lowry recovering from hip surgery and Dylan Samberg sidelined with a broken wrist. This adds urgency to the Jets’ preparations as they approach the start of the regular season next week.

Despite the loss, the Jets displayed determination, with Namestnikov scoring one of their two goals alongside a tally from energy forward Cole Koepke. Arniel praised the team’s effort, noting, “There was no quit, we had some great looks at the end.”

On the other side of the ice, Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made his pre-season debut, stopping 16 of 19 shots and showcasing his skills with a spectacular glove save. Hellebuyck’s performance alleviated previous concerns about his health after he missed practice earlier in the week.

In roster battles, the absence of Samberg propelled four defencemen—Haydn Fleury, Logan Stanley, Colin Miller, and Ville Heinola—to compete for a spot on the opening-night roster. The Jets now sit at 1-3-1 in pre-season play as they prepare for their final exhibition game against the Calgary Flames.

Additionally, the NHL landscape shifted when Wild star Kirill Kaprizov signed an eight-year extension worth an average annual value of US$17 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league. This development could influence the Jets’ negotiations with Kyle Connor, who is entering the final year of his contract.

With the pre-season winding down, the Jets face critical evaluations in their lineup and must address the injuries before their regular season opener next Thursday. Fans are left on edge as the team seeks to solidify its roster amidst these urgent developments.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.