Winnipeg Jets recall top defensive prospect, place goalie on injured reserve

The injury bug continues to hit Winnipeg, as the Jets lost Neal Pionk in Sunday's game in the 1st period to a lower-body injury. The team was off on Monday, so we didn't get an update yesterday.

We did see Moose head coach Mark Morrison split up his D pairs, which was seen as a precautionary move in case Winnipeg needed to recall a defenceman before their five-game road trip out east.

Sure enough, this morning, the team announced that they have recalled 2022 2nd round pick and top defensive prospect Elias Salomonsson for the first time up to the NHL. In the process, the team has also placed Connor Hellebuyck on injured reserve.

Hellebuyck's placement on the IR was retroactive to November 19th, when it was announced he would miss time. According to NHL.com, Hellebuyck underwent knee surgery on Saturday and will be out of action for 4-6 weeks.

He has posted a record of 8-6-0 this season with a 2.51 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 14 appearances, so his absence will definitely be felt.

Eric Comrie will likely receive most of the starts for the Jets during Hellebuyck's absence, but Thomas Milic should see NHL action at some point, as he was recently called up.

Moving Hellebuyck to the IR list opened up the roster spot for Winnipeg, which led to the recall of Salomonsson from AHL Manitoba following Pionk's injury in the team's 3-0 loss to the Wild.

While there is no word yet as to when Salomonsson will make his Jets debut, it is believed that it could happen as early as tomorrow vs. Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.