2:00pm: Niku has indeed been recalled by the team.
1:10pm: It’s been a tough season for Nathan Beaulieu of the Winnipeg Jets, and it’s about to get even worse. The defenseman will be out at least a month with a lower-body injury suffered on New Year’s Even thanks to a shot block (or five).
Beaulieu has already missed half the season due to injury, only debuting at the beginning of November. His return was an important one for the Jets though, who have been devastated on the blueline over the last six months. It got so bad at the beginning of the season that Ville Heinola, their draft pick that is currently overseas playing at the World Juniors, was logging big minutes on the top pairing. Beaulieu’s new absence will test that defense corps once again.
The team does have Sami Niku and Logan Stanley waiting in the minor leagues, but their depth will still be tested over the next month.