The Winnipeg Jets may very well be with out their finest offensive participant for the subsequent two months. On Wednesday, the Jets introduced that ahead Kyle Connor has been positioned on injured reserve and can miss six to eight weeks with a knee damage.

Within the second interval of the Jets’ sport towards the Anaheim Geese on Dec. 10, Connor was concerned in a knee-to-knee collision with Geese ahead Ryan Strome. On the time, Strome was assessed a five-minute main and a sport misconduct, however the NHL Division of Participant Security selected to not hand down any supplemental self-discipline.

Primarily based on the timeline given by the Jets, the earliest Connor might return can be the Jan. 24 sport towards the Toronto Maple Leafs. Whether it is on the longer finish of the timeline, Connor would not be again till the Feb. 14 sport towards the San Jose Sharks.

Both method, it is a large blow to the Jets’ playoff probabilities, particularly with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild surging behind them. Connor leads Winnipeg in targets with 17, and it isn’t a detailed race. His subsequent closest teammates, Mark Scheifele and Cole Perfetti, every have 9.

If Winnipeg goes to carry onto a top-three spot within the Central Division whereas Connor is out, it would want contributions from different gamers. Speedy and expert winger Nikolaj Ehlers might play an even bigger position, and he has 30-goal potential.

Most significantly, Connor Hellebuyck must hold enjoying like a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate in objective. He can hold the Jets in any sport they play, and he could not get a lot run assist over the subsequent month or two.