Last night’s preseason shootout victory proved costly for the Winnipeg Jets, as young standout forward Cole Perfetti left with a lower-body issue. As noted by Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, Head Coach Scott Arniel said that the “first glance doesn’t look great”.
In the closing seconds of the second period, Perfetti came in on the forecheck and finished a routine check on Kevin Bahl, but landed awkwardly and came up gingerly, possibly favoring his right leg. The 23-year-old did not return to the game.
Further details on the injury have not yet come out, but if Perfetti is set to miss time, it would be a tough blow to the Jets as they look to maintain high expectations, given last season’s Presidents’ Trophy, albeit without longtime star Nikolaj Ehlers, who left in free agency. With captain Adam Lowry out for the start of the season, along with Dylan Samberg, who will miss several weeks with a broken wrist, the injury bug has bitten the Jets already, and hopefully, Perfetti will not be sidelined for long.
Perfetti, drafted tenth overall in 2020, took a few years to establish himself, but after a 2024-25 season where he appeared in all 82 games and broke the 50-point mark, many expect another step forward this season.
With final rosters being finalized in the next two days, it will be interesting to monitor Winnipeg’s corresponding moves as the team still has several extra forwards. Fans will certainly also watch urgently for updates on Perfetti.
Jets could take a giant step back.