Winnipeg Jets' Dylan DeMelo was scratched right before last night's Jets-Blues game, and Elliotte Friedman has revealed he is now dealing with an illness. The Winnipeg Jets endured a rough 7-2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues yesterday, and now we know why defenseman Dylan DeMelo wasn't on the ice. Elliotte Friedman posted today on social media X that <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-jets-defenseman-unexpectedly-ruled-out-moments-before-puck-drop-of-game-3' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>DeMelo was out sick.</a> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1915780226941861964'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> There was speculation of DeMelo's availability as early as Wednesday, when he did not report to practice. Assistant coach Scott Arniel waved aside concern at the time, indicating that DeMelo was receiving a maintenance day. When he did not attend Thursday's pregame skate, though, it led to alarm bells going off, and he ultimately did not end up taking part in the game. In DeMelo's absence, Neal Pionk was slotted in on a top-pairing position alongside Josh Morrissey. Luke Schenn and Dylan Samberg were the second pairing, and Colin Miller and Logan Stanley were the third pairing. <h3>DeMelo's absence could be felt on the blue line as the Jets gave up seven goals</h3> The revamped defense struggled to keep up with the offense of the Blues, and that <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/takeaways-blues-take-advantage-of-lifeless-jets-in-game-3-rout/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>led to Winnipeg's one-sided defeat.</a> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/LaurieSkrivan/status/1915733636403368028'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/jets/player/dylan-demelo-8476331' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>DeMelo</a>, 31, has been a consistent performer for the Jets in the regular season and playoffs. He has a playoff assist in two games. He put up 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists) in the 2023-24 regular season and had a plus-31 rating in 82 games. A steady presence on the blue line with his consistent play, DeMelo has been a solid player since he was acquired six years ago by the Jets. The London, Ontario native is entering the first year of a four-year contract that carries a $4.9 million cap hit annually. Winnipeg will be seeking a quick turnaround as they gear up for Game 4.