Jets recall Yager, place Morrissey on IR

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets have recalled forward Brayden Yager from the Manitoba Moose and placed defenceman Josh Morrissey on injured reserve.

Morrissey was recently listed as week-to-week, leaving the Jets without one of their most important players on the blue line.

The veteran defenceman plays a key role in all situations for Winnipeg, including the power play. His absence leaves a significant hole on the Jets' back end as they prepare for a road matchup against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

“Yeah, honestly, that's a reevaluate in the next, I don't know week, another two weeks," said head coach Scott Arniel.

"I am not sure the exact date. That’s just reevaluate him again and see if there's some improvement. That's a healing process now.”

As for Yager, he has had an impressive start to the season with the Moose, recording five goals and four assists for nine points in six games. The 21-year-old centre has also scored twice on the power play, giving Winnipeg another offensive option in the absence of Vladislav Namestnikov, who is also out week-to-week.

“Yeah, that kind of goes back to training camp. Had a really, really good strong camp for us. We just got some people banged up a little bit there as well as with some injuries. So going on the road, just having the opportunity to have another centreman out there is important,” said Arniel.

“He’s played real well since he’s been down there, talking to Mo (Mark Morrison) and Zinger (Craig Heisinger). Like I said, he had a good camp and he's another young player that's really starting to show that he's getting closer.”

Yager should have plenty of confidence heading into this opportunity, given the numbers he’s putting up in the AHL and the impression he made with the Jets during training camp and the preseason.

“Yeah, I think my conversations with Chevy and Arnie, kind of getting sent down, was to go drive offense and drive the play and try be the best player,” said Yager following the Jets skate at Canada Life Centre.

“I feel like Mark Morrison giving me lots of ice time and an opportunity to do that obviously helps and playing with some pretty good players down there. So yeah, nice to get off to a good start and try to continue that here.”

Yager got the call from Moose head coach Mark Morrison on Sunday just as he was getting back to his apartment, letting him know he was headed to the Jets. The timing made the moment even more special, with his dad in town for the weekend and on hand to watch the Moose play Texas. Having his dad there to share in the excitement of his call-up made it a memorable experience for the young forward.

The Moose are off to a hot start to the season at 5-1, they have also scored 29 goals, giving Arniel plenty of options to think about.

“There are all kinds of guys jumping up out that have had really good strong starts, which is great to see. It's really good that Mo’s got those guys playing well. They're having success down there scoring a lot of goals,” said Arniel.

“Sometimes, you kind of look at it with the position, that might be whatever it is, but right now, like I said, Brayden had a really good training camp. We’ll start with him and we'll see how it moves forward.”

ICE CHIPS

The biggest news coming out of the weekend is that Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension is set to end Friday, but what happens next remains unclear. Arniel said he doesn’t have much additional information to share about the situation, with the focus remaining on the players currently available to the team.

“We’ve got to play in our division here, two big games, and then obviously the outdoor (game). Things will play themselves out, and we’ll have a lot more answers for you – myself, Chevy, the players, when that time arrives,” said Arniel.

“We can only just focus on what we can focus on. I’m not running away from anything. Until he shows up here, or whatever may happen, or a trade happens, or whatever that is, It’s hard to talk about.”