Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers will have sports hernia surgery next week.
Although the team doesn’t know how long Ehlers will be out of the lineup at this point, head coach Rick Bowness expects him to be back later this season.
Ehlers, who has been on the IR since Oct. 18, resumed skating on his own Wednesday but was absent during Thursday’s practice.
“He obviously didn’t skate today and we’re going to have to make a call here, eventually very soon here, what we’re going to do with him,” Bowness told reporters Thursday.
Ehlers registered three assists in two games before sustaining the injury.
The 26-year-old from Denmark, who was drafted ninth overall by the Jets in 2014, was fifth on the team in scoring last season with 55 points (28 goals and 27 assists) in 62 games.
Winnipeg is also missing forwards Morgan Barron and Mason Appleton due to wrist injuries, while defenceman Logan Stanley has been sidelined with a foot injury. Defenceman Dylan DeMelo is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury as well.
The Jets, who have won five of their last six games, are second in the Central Division with a 10-4-1 record and visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Watch starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet West, SN 360 or SN NOW.
