Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt will be drafted back into the lineup for Saturday's home game against Edmonton. He was a healthy scratch for the previous match versus Vegas. Logan Stanley is expected to come out of the lineup. Schmidt is a blue-liner who can contribute at both ends of the ice, but he had a down year offensively last term, and the 2023-24 campaign hasn't started well for him either, with Schmidt going pointless in three games while logging a minus-three rating. He's set to skate with Dylan Samberg on the third defensive pairing on Saturday and should also see time with the second power-play unit.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt is recovering from a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Schmidt played in Winnipeg's first preseason game last Sunday but is currently unavailable. However, his injury doesn't appear to be serious and the 32-year-old isn't in danger of missing the start of the regular season. Schmidt is kicking off his third year in Winnipeg. He's been an impactful player at both ends of the ice for the Jets, totaling 51 points (11 goals, 40 assists) in 148 games with 502 shots on goal and 189 blocks. Last season, Schmidt led the team with a plus-15 rating despite having a down year offensively and notching only 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 71 games.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt (upper body) will return from a nine-game absence Friday against the Lightning. He was a game-time decision earlier in the week for a meeting with Calgary and wasn't quite ready yet to play then, but head coach Rick Bowness has confirmed that Schmidt will be back on Friday. The 31-year-old will join the third defensive pairing and the second power-play unit. In 29 games this season, Schmidt has registered six points, 37 shots, 19 hits and 40 blocks with a plus-six rating.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt entered the concussion protocol after exiting Thursday's game against Nashville. He logged just 5:30 of action and was unable to continue after taking a big hit from Tanner Jeannot near the end of the first period. Schmidt had one hit of his own as well in the game before getting injured. The well-traveled blue-liner is having a fine season for Winnipeg with six points, 37 shots and 40 blocks registered in 29 games with a plus-six rating. His absence is set to open a spot on the second power-play unit.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt (undisclosed) is set to rejoin the action on Wednesday against Philadelphia after he missed his fifth game of the season on Sunday versus Colorado. He'll skate with Brenden Dillon on the second defensive pairing and we should also see Schmidt with the second power-play unit. The 31-year-old has contributed well at both ends of the ice this season, grabbing 32 points and blocking 99 shots from the opposition. Winger Zach Sanford (undisclosed) is also expected to return against the Flyers.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt is dealing with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Sunday's game against Colorado. Logan Stanley will take over from him and skate with Neal Pionk. Schmidt has been anonymous offensively lately, but he's had a solid campaign overall with 32 points in 74 games. 11 of his points have come on the power play and Schmidt has also contributed well in other areas. Stanley isn't as good offensively, having collected 13 points in 57 games this season, but he's piled up some good defensive stats with 129 hits and 96 blocks. Schmid is considered day-to-day and will have his first opportunity to return Wednesday against Philadelphia.
Kyle Connor, Nate Schmidt Enter COVID-19 Protocols
Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor and defenseman Nate Schmidt have entered COVID-19 protocols and will be unavailable Wednesday against Buffalo. It's highly likely that they will miss the rest of the week as well. Being without Connor is the bigger blow for Winnipeg, as he's been red-hot throughout the month with 24 points in 14 games. He's also one of only two players in the league with 40-plus goals and 40-plus assists for the season. Schmidt boasts 31 points and 89 blocks through 66 appearances. Logan Stanley will fill the open slot in defense, while Connor's absence gives Evgeny Svechnikov a chance to move back into the top six.
The Winnipeg Jets picked up another defenseman via trade on Tuesday. Nate Schmidt was sent over to the Jets from Vancouver for a third-round draft pick in 2022. On Monday, Winnipeg picked up veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon from Washington. Schmidt scored five goals and added 10 assists in 54 contests. He has four years left on a six-year contract that he signed with Vegas back in 2018. His contract is worth $5.95 million annually. The typically offensive defenseman had an off-year producing points. However, with a new opportunity in Winnipeg, the 30-year-old may be worth looking at as a later draft pick for fantasy managers as he could undoubtedly rebound in a new setting.
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