The Winnipeg Jets will be without winger Kyle Connor as he has an injury after a knee-on-knee collision. The incident took place in the second period of their game against the Anaheim Ducks as Connor collided with Ryan Strome. It looked bad at the time and Connor did not return to that game. Head Coach Rick Bowness announced this news this evening. The timeline of six-to-eight weeks should be clarified that is just an estimate at this time.
Kyle Connor to Miss Time After an Injury From a Knee-On-Knee Collision
Jets coach Rick Bowness estimates that Kyle Connor will miss 6-8 weeks due to this knee-on-knee collision with Ryan Strome pic.twitter.com/fohHJkCwDm
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 12, 2023
Kyle Connor is one of the quieter, yet more explosive and consistent goal-scorers in the game today. Really he probably only flies under the radar as he plays in Winnipeg. The only full NHL season in which Connor didn’t hit 30 goals, was the 56-game Covid shortened season. His career high is 47 from 2021-22. Furthermore, he is on pace for another big year this year. Thus far, he has 17 goals and 28 points through 26 games.
What Does This Mean for the Jets and Their High-Flying Offence?
This injury does have the potential to hurt the Jets as Connor is such an important part of their offence. Mark Scheifele and he have great chemistry and link up on the power play. Luckily for them, Gabriel Vilardi is not long back from injury and has only played eight games. Moreover, he scored his first as a Jet against the Ducks. The Jets are playing well, up in third in the Central Division. So, they will need their offensive players to step up in Connor’s absence. They should manage to find offence elsewhere given their lineup. Nikolaj Ehlers has played with Scheifele this year a bit, and has 16 points through 26 games. Look for him to also step, along with Vilardi while Connor is on the sidelines.
Main photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
