The Winnipeg Jets reshaped their forward lines before facing the Minnesota Wild on October 13, 2026, at Canada Life Centre.
Nino Niederreiter returned to the lineup as the team sought a response after a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
According to NHL.
com, Niederreiter entered for Brad Lambert, while Winnipeg remained without defenseman Josh Morrissey because of an upper-body injury.
The Jets also listed Elias Salomonsson, Walker Duehr, and Garrett Brown as injured.
Sports Yahoo reported that Niederreiter was projected to skate on the second line with Viggo Björck and Gabriel Vilardi.
Morgan Barron moved to the fourth line alongside Vlad Namestnikov and Cole Koepke.
The projected top line for Winnipeg remained Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Cole Perfetti, according to Sports Yahoo.
Isak Rosén, Adam Lowry, and Alex Iafallo were expected to form the third line.
Winnipeg also adjusted its defense pairings with Mario Ferraro and Neal Pionk projected as the top defensive duo, according to Sports Yahoo.
Dylan Samberg and Dylan DeMelo were listed on the second pairing, with Haydn Fleury and Tyrel Bauer completing the group.
The Hockey News reported that Niederreiter returned after being a healthy scratch in three of Winnipeg's first five games.
The veteran forward entered the matchup one point away from 500 career NHL points.
According to The Hockey News, Niederreiter had recorded eight goals and five assists in 20 career games against Minnesota, including points in eight of his last 13 meetings with the Wild.
Minnesota entered the game after a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, according to NHL. com.
The Wild expected Calvin Pickard to start in goal after he posted an . 871 save percentage and a 3.68 goals-against average during the 2025-26 season.
The Wild projected Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy on the first line, while Ryan Hartman, Blake Coleman, and Maxim Shabanov were expected on the second line, according to Sports Yahoo.
NHL.
com reported that Minnesota placed Nico Sturm on injured reserve after he was taken to the hospital following a shot through traffic that struck him during the previous game.
The Wild listed Marcus Foligno, Nick Foligno, Brock Faber, Filip Gustavsson, and Sturm among injured players.
The matchup was scheduled as the first of four meetings between the Central Division rivals, according to TSN.
Winnipeg entered the contest looking to improve production beyond its leading forward group.
