Head coach Rick Bowness informed reporters Sunday, via Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, that the Jets will activate Mark Scheifele from injured reserve ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Penguins.
From #NHLJets coach Rick Bowness:
-Mark Scheifele is good to go, will be activated from IR before Tuesday's game and will play. Someone will have to be waived to make room.
-David Gustafsson "remains on IR" was his only update. Sounds like status quo, for now.— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) February 4, 2024
The top point-getter for Winnipeg has been sidelined since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Blackhawks on Jan. 11.
Scheifele, aged 30, will slot back into his role on the first line alongside Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi as the Jets aim to reclaim the top spot in the Central Division. Despite being 6-3-1 in their last 10 games before the All-Star break, they currently trail the division-leading Avalanche by two points with two games in hand.
This return marks a slightly different dynamic for Scheifele, who hasn’t frequently played with both Connor and Vilardi together at even strength this season. His comeback provides the Jets with a fully healthy top-six lineup for Sean Monahan’s debut with the team on Tuesday, following his acquisition from the Canadiens during the All-Star break.
Having emerged as the franchise’s all-time goal leader since its relocation from Atlanta in 2011, Scheifele has maintained a point-per-game pace this season, tallying 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 41 games. He leads all Jets forwards in ice time, averaging 20:16 per game, narrowly ahead of Connor’s 20:10 mark.
While his goal-scoring may not match last year’s 42-goal pace, Scheifele is shooting 1.8% below his career average, suggesting a potential uptick in scoring efficiency in the second half of the season.
Entering the final season of an eight-year, $49M deal signed in 2016, Scheifele has already secured a seven-year, $59.5M extension, tying him to Winnipeg through 2031.
With a full 23-player roster, the Jets will need to make a corresponding move tomorrow to accommodate Scheifele’s return from IR. Dominic Toninato could be a likely candidate for reassignment, potentially subjecting him to waivers for the third time this season if he ends up being the odd man out, given his tenure on the active roster since his last recall on Dec. 27, eliminating his temporary exemption.
