Veteran Gustav Nyquist will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, allowing Koepke to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Koepke hasn't played since November 23rd. He has two assists in 16 games this season.
Nyquist was acquired in the offseason to help mitigate the loss of Nikolaj Ehlers, but he has struggled finding his footing with the Jets. The 36-year-old Nyquist only has six points (0G / 6A) in 20 games, and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight. Cole Koepke will draw into the lineup as Nyquist's replacement.
Salamonsson was drafted in the second-round, 55th overall, by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman played two games last week, making his NHL debut. He made his North American professional debut last season in the AHL, scoring 27 points (5G / 22A) in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.
Pionk has not played in over a week, tending to a lower-body injury, but he will return on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old Pionk has been relied upon heavily this season, averaging 22:44 time-on-ice and recording five points (1G / 4A), 36 blocks, and 42 hits in 21 games.
The Oilers have allowed a league-worst 95 goals (3.65 GA/GP), but are coming off a 4-0 win over the Seattle Kraken, courtesy of a 26-save shutout from Stuart Skinner, his second of the season. The 27-year-old Skinner returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, looking to improve his 3.00 GAA and .885 SV% through 19 games (9-7-3). The Oilers enter the action as -143 home favorites against a Wild team that is amongst the hottest in the NHL, with an 8-0-2 record in their last 10 games.
With Connor Hellebuyck out for 4-6 weeks after undergoing a minor Arthroscopic knee procedure, the Jets recalled Milic from the Manitoba Moose (AHL) with the intention of him serving as Eric Comrie’s backup. That said, Comrie has struggled in three games since taking over the starting role (0-3-0), giving Milic the opportunity to earn some playing time with a strong performance in his NHL debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old Milic has a 2.14 GAA and .921 SV% in nine games (5-2-2) with Manitoba this season.
Salamonsson was drafted in the second-round, 55th overall, by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman has yet to play an NHL game. He made his North American professional debut last season in the AHL, scoring 27 points (5G / 22A) in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.
The Oilers have had a disappointing start to the season (10-9-5), but are coming off an impressive 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers, where Skinner saved 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%). The 27-year-old Skinner has been inconsistent this season, posting a 3.00 GAA and .885 SV% in 17 games (8-6-3). The Oilers enter the action on Tuesday as -133 home favorites against a Dallas Stars team that has points in seven of their last eight (6-1-1) but will be without their leading scorer, Mikko Rantanen (suspended).
Pionk exited Winnipeg's most recent game in the first period due to a lower-body injury, but is considered day-to-day and could return to the lineup on their upcoming five-game road trip. The 30-year-old Pionk has been relied upon heavily this season, averaging 22:44 time-on-ice and recording five points (1G / 4A), 36 blocks, and 42 hits in 21 games.
Salamonsson was drafted in the second-round, 55th overall, by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman has yet to play an NHL game. He made his North American professional debut last season in the AHL, scoring 27 points (5G / 22A) in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.
Rosen had a strong showing with the Sabres during his call-up, picking up seven points (3G / 4A) in 10 games, but has been returned to the AHL to make room for Zach Benson, who returns to the lineup on Sunday. Rosen has 12 points (5G / 7A) in eight AHL games this season.
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.
