Categories: Winnipeg Jets

Latest on Neal Pionk and Haydn Fleury from Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel

The Jets are in Washington to take on the Capitals and, while the forward group is healthy, they’ve had some absences on the back end. As a result, top defence prospect Elias Salomonsson (2022 2nd-round pick) will make his NHL debut tonight.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Neal Pionk (lower body) and Haydn Fleury (concussion) are both currently sidelined.

Pionk skated on Tuesday before the team departed on their five-game road trip. Head coach Scott Arniel listed him as day-to-day — a positive sign, as it suggests the team appears to have avoided a more serious injury to the top-four defenceman. Fleury, meanwhile, has been out for a few weeks after sustaining a concussion against the Canucks on November 11th. He had skated with the team but then missed multiple consecutive sessions.

After the morning skate, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press asked Arniel for an update on both players.

“Thought he’d try it again today. Didn’t feel quite right. Day-to-day.” That was Arniel’s assessment of Pionk, who McIntyre noted skated on his own this morning. Regarding Fleury, Arniel confirmed he is not on the trip and has yet to pass concussion protocol.

That’s the latest on the Jets’ injured defence duo.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.

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