Alex Burmistrov, Drew Stafford close to returning

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This article was published 22/01/2016 (3530 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets are in desperate need of some good news out of sick bay, and if Friday’s practice at the MTS Centre is any indication, that may come sooner than later.

Orange, non-contact jerseys marked the return to practice for Mark Scheifele, Drew Stafford and Alex Burmistrov. Stafford has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, while Burmistrov was a game-time scratch against the Nashville Predators Thursday night with an unspecified ailment.

Stafford and Burmistrov are close to returning, said head coach Paul Maurice, and further evaluation will determine whether they’ll be available against the New Jersey Devils tonight.

“It feels good,” said Stafford after the skate. “Not sure yet about tomorrow, but I’ve definitely been making progress over the last few days.”

Scheifele has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury. He’ll remain skating but is unlikely to return against the Devils. He joins fellow centreman Adam Lowry, who did not practise Friday and has been out with an upper-body injury since a 5-4 overtime win against Nashville Jan. 14, and goalie Ondrej Pavelec, as players with whose timeline for a return to game action has yet to be determined.

Pavs returns

Speaking of Pavelec, he too made his return to practice Friday, but was limited to a few drills. He spoke with the media for the first time since being sidelined for two months with a knee injury; the result of a collision with Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan in a 3-2 win Nov. 21.

“It’s going good, following the process,” he said. “Slowly getting back. It’s good to be on the ice with the guys. It’s been a long two months.”

Pavelec said the injury has healed well and he has full motion in the knee, but is in need of some game-like feel, including taking shots and reading different plays.

“I can’t have one practice and then expect to feel great,” he added. “It’s been a long two months without shots… I’m just happy to be back on the ice.”

Buff up front

Also of note from practice is the movement of Dustin Byfuglien from the blue-line to the front of the net on the team’s first power-play unit. Taking his place is Nikolaj Ehlers, who will play the point along with Tyler Myers. Joining Byfuglien up front is Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little.

“Just goals and a little change of focus on what we’re trying to accomplish on it,” said Maurice.

The Jets entered Friday’s games with the second-worst power play in the league at a 15.1 per cent efficiency rate.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton