Captain Adam Lowry set to return to action as soaring Jets visit Kings

WINNIPEG – Adam Lowry feels like he’s about to open a special gift this week.

The Winnipeg Jets captain is expected to make his season debut Tuesday in Los Angeles after recovering from hip surgery in late May.

“I feel really good and I’m looking forward to being back out there, and it finally feels like Christmas morning,” Lowry said after Monday’s practice.

The Jets have posted a 9-3-0 record during the veteran centre’s absence, including 4-0-0 on the road. The match against the Kings (5-4-4) kicks off a six-game road trip.

Lowry is aiming not to put a kink in that roll.

“You never want to start the season not playing, but the group’s done a great job and they’ve been playing great,” he said. “Hopefully, go in and don’t disrupt things too much.”

Lowry, 32, will play on the third line with veteran left-winger Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Pearson, who’s replacing Morgan Barron (undisclosed injury).

“We’ve played a lot together the last few years, so it’s definitely great having him out there,” Niederreiter said of Lowry.

“I mean, even just for a presence with the team, I think is a big, big key for us. Obviously, our captain, our leader.”

Lowry had been having chronic pain in his hip and decided to get the surgery after Winnipeg was knocked out of the second round of last season’s NHL playoffs by the Dallas Stars.

It’s been worth it.

“It was one of those things where I almost felt better coming out of surgery than going in,” Lowry said. 

“It was a long recovery process, but I think to get back to the level that I want to be at, get back to doing what I love and playing the way I do, you can’t speed up time. But it feels great.”

He’s expecting some aches and pains as he gets into the rhythm of playing games, including contact with opponents.

“But where it’s at right now I’m really happy with it,” Lowry said. “Really happy with the range of motion, the strength in it.

“It might take me a few games just to get back, get my feet under me, but I try to do everything I can to try and expedite that process in practice.”

Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel said Lowry is a welcome addition.

“To be back in it, to be a part of it, practising and just skating with the guys isn’t the same as actually being on the roster and ready to play,” he said.

“He leads by example, and that’s both on and off the ice, and that’s what I love about him.”

GETTING TO KNOW TOEWS

Lowry said he’s looking forward to more interaction with new Jets centre Jonathan Toews, the former longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain who signed with Winnipeg following a two-year absence for health reasons. 

“Being away from the team it has been a little bit tougher to getting to know the new guys, but now that we are a month into the season I think (Toews) has done a really good job of coming in and fitting in seamlessly,” Lowry said.

“We are starting to see the reasons why we brought him in as he is such a smart player, so good in the faceoff dot. He does so many little things well and I think as he progresses he is only going to get better.”

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

The Jets will take four injured players on the road trip, but Arniel isn’t sure any of them will get into a game.

Barron was “banged up” late in Winnipeg’s victory last Saturday over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He didn’t practise Monday and Arniel said he’s week to week.

“He will be coming with us, but I don’t think he’ll be on the ice. Don’t quote me on that, but he may get a chance near the end,” he said.

Gustav Nyquist, who “tweaked” something in last Thursday’s win against the Blackhawks, also wasn’t skating and the forward is day-to-day.

Winger Cole Perfetti, who injured an ankle in an Oct. 3 pre-season game, and defenceman Dylan Samberg, out since Sept. 27 with a broken wrist, have been practising in non-contact jerseys and will make the trip.

“They haven’t really gotten the contact yet,” Arniel said. “A little closer to that, but I think that we’ve still got to get to that phase before we really start talking about them. There is a chance on this road trip, near the end of it.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2025.