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Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice was the bearer of bad news this morning.
#NHLJets Paul Maurice just announced that Jacob Trouba is out until Feb. More bad news #bn
— Ed Tait (@WFPEdTait) December 16, 2014
This is a heavy blow to a Winnipeg Jets defensive group that was already undermanned. Earlier this month is was announced that both members of the Jets top defensive pair would be out through the new year. Trouba has firmly entrenched himself as the next option on the depth chart and he has been logging big ice time in their absence.
#NHLJets Enstrom averages 25:07, Bogosian 22:47, Trouba 23:33. All three are out for an extended time.
— Rick Ralph (@RickRalphTSN) December 16, 2014
#NHLJets Stuart averages 19:55, Buff 20:59, Postma 13:48, Pardy 14:26. Clistome 14:04, Chiarot 20:04.
— Rick Ralph (@RickRalphTSN) December 16, 2014
Dustin Byfuglien has been logging nearly thirty minutes a game over the last few outings. That number may go up. Ben Chiarot still has just a handful of games of NHL experience, but he will be asked to log top pair ice. Paul Postma will likely factor big on the powerplay. Grant Clitsome and Mark Stuart will be relied on for their veteran presence and their penalty kill savvy.
The pairings listed for tonight (subject to change):
Ben Chiarot - Dustin Byfuglien
Mark Stuart - Paul Postma
Adam Pardy - Grant Clitsome
The Winnipeg Jets will no doubt need a few bounces to go their way through this run. Will they try to weather the storm with the pieces they have? Or will General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff step up any make a move. If he makes a trade, who is on the block?