Tanner Pearson will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing Koepke to re-enter the lineup for the first time since November 7th. The 27-year-old Koepke is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has two assists in 14 games this season.
With Connor Hellebuyck out for 4-6 weeks after undergoing a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure, the Jets have recalled Milic from the Manitoba Moose (AHL). The 22-year-old Milic has yet to play an NHL game and has a 2.14 GAA and .921 SV% in nine games (5-2-2) with Manitoba this season. Milic likely won't see much playing time at the NHL level, as he is expected to back up Eric Comrie during Hellebuyck's absence.
On Friday morning, the Jets surprisingly announced that Hellebuyck will be sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck has been a workhorse for the Jets for the previous several seasons, missing minimal time and being among the league leaders for games played. His impending absence likely lessens his chances of repeating as the winner of the Vezina Trophy for a third consecutive season despite another good start in 2025-26, with a 2.51 GAA and .913 SV% through 14 games (8-6-0). Expect Eric Comrie to see a heavy workload between the pipes for the Jets during Hellebuyck's absence.
The Jets inked their captain to a five-year extension on Wednesday, keeping him locked up until his age 37 season in 2030-31. Lowry was on the final year of a five-year contract with a $3.25 million AAV, and was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 33-year-old captain made his season debut on November 4th after he underwent hip surgery in the off-season and has three points (1G/2A) in seven games this season.
The Jets have struggled to string wins together over the past few weeks, going 5-5-0 in their last 10, and will turn to Comrie on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Comrie has not played much this season and struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, his first loss of the season. The 30-year-old Comrie has a 2.75 GAA and .908 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Jets enter Tuesday's contest as -181 home favorites against a Blue Jackets team that defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in a shootout last night.
The Jets have struggled to string wins together over the past few weeks, going 5-5-0 in their last 10, and will likely turn to Comrie on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Comrie has not played much this season and struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, his first loss of the season. The 30-year-old Comrie has a 2.75 GAA and .908 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Jets enter Tuesday's contest as -181 home favorites against a Blue Jackets team that defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in a shootout last night.
Koepke has missed the last three games but has been practicing the past several days, indicating his return to the lineup should be imminent. The 27-year-old Koepke is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 14 games this season.
Barron has not played since November 1st due to an undisclosed injury, originally given a week-to-week timeline, but appears ready to return to the lineup after being activated from IR. Barron has played well offensively in a bottom-six role for the Jets this season, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in 12 games while averaging 12:33 time-on-ice.
Lambert, the 30th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has yet to make his mark at the NHL level, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games combined over the last three seasons. He had 35 points (7G / 28A) in 61 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) last season.
Ford has already played a career-high 11 games with the Jets this season, scoring one assist, but will return to the Manitoba Moose (AHL). The undrafted 25-year-old had 21 points (14G / 7A) in 41 games with Manitoba last season.
Koepke has missed the last two games but returned to practice on Friday. The 27-year-old Koepke is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 14 games this season.
Fleury has been a regular for the Jets this season, but exited Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks after only 6:38 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. He has since surfaced on Injured Reserve and will be sidelined for at least a week as he recovers from a concussion. The 29-year-old Fleuery has played 15 games this season. He has not played more than 47 games since his rookie season in 2017-18.
With Gustav Nyquist returning from an injury, Chibrikov will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Chibrikov is averaging 9:12 time-on-ice and has zero points through eight games this season.
Samberg has yet to play this season, recovering from a wrist injury during training camp, but will make his season debut on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 26-year-old is entering his fifth NHL season in Winnipeg after posting career highs in nearly all statistical categories in 2024-25, including goals (6), points (20), SOG (95) and average TOI (21:08). Luke Schenn will exit the lineup to accommodate Samberg's debut.
Nyquist has not played since October 30th, but should draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 36-year-old has yet to find his rhythm in his first season with the Jets, scoring only five points (0G / 5A) in 11 games. That said, he was riding a two-game point streak, with two points (0G / 2A), in two games before his injury.
