Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel says Neal Pionk close to return, will join road trip, provides other injury updates

There was a new face this morning at AM skate with the Jets getting set to take on the Predators as Neal Pionk, in a yellow (non-contact) uniform, was skating with his teammates for the first time.

After they concluded we heard from Jets head coach Scott Arniel in the Matt Frost Media Centre who was asked for an update on Pionk.

“That was the first one. He’s coming on the road trip. He’ll be getting into contact here, is the next step for him. Getting real close. I’m not making any promises on the road trip but he’s coming on the trip to get into contact.”

He was also asked for the latest on Colin Miller, Vlad Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter as to whether they were still skating off and on.

“Nino and Vladdy are going. Millsy had to take a little bit of a reset, so not back on the ice yet but the other two are up and running. They’ve been kinda doing the one on, one off or two on, one off scenario just to make sure the wear and tear isn’t getting them. We’ll see when we get back from the trip where they’re at.”

So there’s the latest on the four injured players.