When the Manitoba Moose season concluded a pair of Jets prospects weren’t playing as they were dealing with injury. Back in January, 2021 2nd rounder Nikita Chibrikov had to be helped off the ice during a Moose game against the Marlies which ended up ending his season. In mid April 2022 1st rounder Brad Lambert suffered an ankle sprain (somehow came back in the game and tried to play) which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
We heard from Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff today ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft and he provided an update on the pair.
“I think Brad was probably ready to kinda start joining us if we were able to get past Dallas, I think you would have seen him in the skates. Arnie (head coach Scott Arniel) actually talked to Chibby, I think he said a couple of days ago, I think he’s on his way back to North America for some follow ups. I think he’ll train the rest of the summer either in Toronto or in Florida. But he says he feels good.”
And for an organization that is focused on draft and develop there was a message to these prospects and others in the organization about being ready to take that next step:
“Those are the conversations Arnie had with those young guys. He was going to talk to all of them before training camp, certainly hopefully before development camp here, and just kinda tell them ‘the eyes are on you. At some point in time there’s going to be opportunity. It could come quicker, it could come down the line but as an organization we need you to take these next steps. Everybody wants to play. The young players want to play quick, fast, now. We want them to play when they’re ready and for a long time.”
It will be interesting to see next season what steps these players as well as a prospect like Elias Salomonsson (2022 2nd) take and if they are able to secure more time in the NHL.
As always keep it locked here for the latest Jets, Moose and prospect news.
