Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice says “It’s going to be awhile” re: Blake Wheeler

Jets captain Blake Wheeler finally got the goal scoring monkey off his back as he scored his first goal of the 2021-22 season this evening in Vancouver which was his first tally in 22 games. Unfortunately for his team when he might score his next is up in the air as he suffered a potentially significant injury in the 3rd period as the team collapsed in front of the Winnipeg net.

The Jets captain has shown over the years a very high pain threshold so it was rather unusual to see him writhing in pain on the ice.

Following the shootout loss to the Canucks when asked for an update head coach Paul Maurice indicated:

“It’s going to be awhile. We’ll get him looked at tomorrow. I’m not a doctor but it’s going to be awhile.”

This won’t be the first time this season that Winnipeg has been without their captain as he had COVID earlier in the season which forced him to stay in Minnesota and miss a number of games. The team is travelling back to Winnipeg on Saturday and are off on Sunday so first update should be on Monday.

Suspect if they need to make a recall it will be Jets 2018 2nd rounder David Gustafsson. He had the game-winning goal for Manitoba in their comeback win on Friday night which gives him seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 22 games to lead the Moose in scoring.