Jets’ Morgan Barron returns to lineup after missing three games
Some reinforcements are returning for the Winnipeg Jets.
When speaking to the media, head coach Scott Arniel revealed that forward Morgan Barron will be back in the lineup on Thursday night when the Jets visit the Minnesota Wild.
#NHLJets coach Scott Arniel confirms Elias Salomonsson is in, says the line rushes this morning were actually just a bit of a player communication mix-up. Put down the torches, folks! Also, Morgan Barron is IN. He’ll replace Danny Zhilkin at 4C to start.
Barron has been out of action for a week due to an upper-body injury. His last appearance came on Jan. 8 against the Edmonton Oilers. He was originally listed out with an illness last Friday, when Winnipeg was scheduled to face the Los Angeles Kings.
Barron has gone on to miss the last three games, with the Jets coming away with wins over the Kings, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.
The 27-year-old has been pretty banged up through the 2025-26 season. He missed more than two weeks in November due to an undisclosed injury, and Barron was placed on injured reserve as a result.
In the 36 games he has appeared in, the Halifax native has scored seven goals and seven assists for 14 points, though he hasn’t found the back of the net since Dec. 21 against the Utah Mammoth. Yet, Barron is well on his way to having a career year. The most points he’s ever scored in one season came during the 2022-23 campaign, when he posted 21 points in 70 games. He has registered a plus/minus of +6 while averaging just under 13 minutes of ice time.
Barron is in the first season of his two-year contract extension that he signed this past July. The deal carries a $1.85 million cap hit through the 2026-27 campaign.
The Jets (18-22-5) sit last in the Central Division, eight points back of the last Wild Card spot.