A day after the NHL Trade Deadline came and went, the Winnipeg Jets completed a few housekeeping moves which included recalling forward John Albert from St. John's (AHL) on an emergency basis.
Albert has been promoted after an MRI yesterday revealed that Mark Scheifele suffered an MCL injury which will sideline him for the next six to eight weeks, essentially the remainder of the NHL season. Luckily the scan concluded there was no muscular tear in the knee, so Scheifele’s rehab should be a lot smoother than if the ailment was more severe.
The Jets’ had called up Albert earlier this season where he was slotted into the role of centring the team’s fourth line. In eight NHL games he managed only one goal which he notched on a breakaway against the New York Rangers.
It has been noted that Michael Frolik will be filling in for Scheifele at centre so if Albert is in fact needed tonight when the Jets host the Los Angeles Kings, he will assume a role on one of the wings.
If Albert is used by Paul Maurice this evening, look for him to garner some time on the penalty kill as his six short-handed goals rank him first among all AHLers this year.
Winnipeg will attempt to rebound after suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
