A Few Unexpected Names on Winnipeg Jets' Final Roster Emerge

Scott Arniel recognized that anything could happen prior to opening night. Breakout games, surprises, and injuries could change whatever roster he envisioned last July.

By Winnipeg's 23-man roster deadline, that uncertainty had been more than warranted.

Cole Perfetti's injury was the first major blow. The 22-year-old, coming off a full 82-game season and poised for a breakout, sprained his ankle against Calgary and is now week to week.

He'll start the season on injured reserve alongside Dylan Samberg and Adam Lowry, three regulars gone before the puck even drops.

Their absence provided an opportunity. Nikita Chibrikov, who was a long shot to make camp last winter with a knee surgery recovery, will now debut in the NHL as a second-line winger in Winnipeg with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist. His debut is a silver lining.

Sunday also included the Winnipeg Jets placing Walker Duehr and Ville Heinola on waivers. To get to the 23-man roster, either or both of Brad Lambert and Parker Ford, both of whom don't need waivers, would likely be optioned out next.

The blue line is a question mark. Josh Morrissey continues to prove himself through his skating and sense of offense, but the decline of Dylan DeMelo and Samberg's injury creates holes for a group that relies so heavily on Morrissey. Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn will fight for the third-pairing spot behind them.

The one thing that remains constant: goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck, in the wake of a Hart Trophy and his third Vezina, continues to keep the fort safe again.

Winnipeg's season will hinge on how well he guards the crease while the rest of the lineup finds itself.