The Poolers, who are betting on striker Nikolaj Ehlers to win it all, are hoping he stays out of the doctor’s office in 2023-2024, and the player in question is hoping even more.
The Winnipeg Jets player has often visited the infirmary in recent years. He notably suffered a blow to the knee from Dmitry Orlov during a game against the Washington Capitals in January 2022. Last season, a groin injury caused him further problems as it turned into a sports hernia. Result: The former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League skater missed 36 games. And finally, an illegal check on Ryan Hartman during a duel against the Minnesota Wild spelled the end of his season.
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This fall, Ehlers had other issues as neck spasms hampered his preparation. Still, he says he’s ready to help the Jets, who will need his input after a summer of changes.
“I would like to play 82 games again. I’ll try, that’s my goal. “It would be very comfortable,” he told the Winnipeg Sun newspaper on Thursday, a day when he skated in a no-contact sweater.
“I’ve done this a thousand times in the gym. I can’t even tell you why. This seems to have happened a lot in recent years. “Mentally it hurts,” is how he explained his latest mishap.
It’s coming
Nevertheless, head coach Rick Bowness expects to see his protégé back in top form soon. Ehlers will miss Friday’s games against the Ottawa Senators and Monday’s games against the Calgary Flames. At least the development is satisfactory.
“He can’t do half of the exercises because he can’t receive contacts. But he is here and we can work with him so that he regains his physical condition,” emphasized the pilot.
The Jets released Pierre-Luc Dubois last summer, while Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo were among the players who came in as reinforcements. Ehlers could help his family if he stays healthy. Before 2022-2023, he surpassed the 20-goal mark six times in a row.