Niederreiter can’t get here fast enough

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This article was published 26/02/2023 (942 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Help can’t come soon enough for the Winnipeg Jets, with the good news being it’s on the way.

After acquiring forward Nino Niederreiter in a trade with the Nashville Predators Saturday, the 6-2, 218-pound winger was expected to touch down in Winnipeg late Sunday. His presence was certainly missed earlier in the day, as the Jets fell 4-0 to the visiting New York Islanders to mark their third straight loss and fifth in their previous six games.

“It’s going to be a big boost, absolutely. He makes our top-6 better,” Jets head coach Rick Bowness said after the game. “He’s a bigger guy, a strong guy and he’s going to be around the net. And he’s hard to play against. We need that right now.” The Jets can certainly use Niederreiter’s heavy game. Over his 13-year career, the 30-year-old has built up a reputation of being a physical player who is tough on the forecheck.

Winnipeg defenceman Josh Morrissey is quite familiar with the difficulties in battling the big Swiss player, having played against him the last eight seasons, including four while he was with Central Division rival Minnesota Wild and then this year with Nashville. Niederreiter left the Predators with 114 hits, good enough for fourth on the team.

“I’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of hits from him on the forecheck. He’s just a guy around the net who just always seems to be there and boxes you out offensively,” Morrissey said. “I’m really excited to have him come in here — I know our whole team is —

just a great player and a big addition for us.”

While a big body, Morrissey also noted he has good hands around the net. Niederreiter joins the Jets with 18 goals and 10 assists for 28 points in 56 games this year. He also was third on the Predators in shots, with 130, which puts him in fourth on the Jets.

Winnipeg has struggled to find the back of late, with just 23 goals in their last 12 games. They’ve been particularly short on “garbage” goals in front, something that could soon be rectified with Niederreiter patrolling the front of the net.

“He’s a great player. He’s hard to play against. He can play offence and defence. Shoot the puck. Big guy,” Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois said. “I have not enjoyed playing against him throughout my career. Being able to play with him will be really fun and comes at a perfect time where it can be a big boost for this team.”

He added: “No player can win the Stanley Cup alone. But he’ll definitely be a good addition.”

It’s unclear where exactly Niederreiter will slot into the lineup, but Bowness said it will be on one of the top two lines. He’s a left-handed shooter who is listed as a right winger, but is capable of playing either side, while also chipping in on the power play.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff gave up just a second-round pick in 2024 to get Niederreiter, who still has a year left on his current deal that pays him US$4 million annually. The Jets’ struggles of late have dropped them in the standings — they went to bed occupying the first wildcard playoff spot after starting the day second in the Central Division — creating questions over whether the club should look to give up future pieces to compete for the Stanley Cup this year.

Cheveldayoff has clearly opted for a fighting chance this season, with the addition of Niederreiter also being viewed by players as a vote of confidence. Niederreiter will be in the lineup Tuesday, when the Jets welcome the L.A. Kings to town.

“Clearly, he’s making additions and not subtractions, so that’s a statement right there. Teams go through funks; we’re going through it right now. We haven’t loved our game for a little while, but we’re still in a decent position,” said Morrissey. “It’s a great time of the year to find your game and find your peak performance in this last stretch, to get into the playoffs and then let that roll. We are going to keep working here and it’s nice that the organization has the faith in us to make some additions at the deadline.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton