Jets head coach Scott Arniel with latest on Neal Pionk and Gabriel Vilardi

It’s been just over two weeks since Jets head coach Scott Arniel declared defenceman Neal Pionk out of the lineup week-to-week with a lower-body injury. His last game came March 11th against the Rangers although according to Arniel it was something the Minnesotan had been dealing with. While he was seen on the road trip the team took shortly after the declaration he was out week-to-week there hasn’t been an update on him.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Following skate today at hockey for all centre Kelly Moore of 680 CJOB asked for one. Arniel indicated:

“Nothing yet on going on the ice. He’s doing a lot more off ice, the weight room type stuff. He’s getting closer. He’s getting a lot closer.”

That question was followed up by Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg asking for a scope of the timeline on Gabriel Vilardi who has been out since he suffered an injury in the game against the Sabres last Sunday.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Arniel said:

“No. Not really, not really. I don’t ’cause it’s not clean and whatever. It’s not one of those ones that it’s an automatic four to six. Where he is it’s week-to-week. He’s obviously a ways away. He’s away from even trying to get into the weight room. He’s more on just getting better.”

So there’s your update from the bench boss of Winnipeg on the two injured Jets. No update on Rasmus Kupari who is dealing with a minor setback.