Winnipeg Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson will make his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals tomorrow night at Capital One Arena. The news comes after defenseman Neal Pionk is listed as day-to-day, and while it’s subject to change during morning skate, the expectation is that Salomonsson will slot on the second pairing with Dylan Samberg.
An everyday player might be out of commission, but a promising prospect could be nearing his first NHL game. When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel revealed that defenseman Neal Pionk is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
The Winnipeg Jets announced they’ve recalled defense prospect Elias Salomonsson from AHL Manitoba. Connor Hellebuyck is headed to injured reserve in the corresponding move.
There is very little evidence that the Winnipeg Jets prefer to develop their prospects in the NHL, and even less evidence to say a player can step right into their first season on the smaller North American ice and find success.
NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.
The Winnipeg Jets have a talented group of prospects who are the team’s future. The prospect pool of the Jets is either playing with the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, the team’s ECHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, or with a team in the players’ home country.