Winnipeg Jets' Key Forward Inching Closer To Return

The Winnipeg Jets will have Paul Stastny back in the lineup very soon. The 35-year-old forward could play as soon as Friday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild. If not Friday, he should be back the following night when the Jets play the Calgary Flames.

Stastny has not played since November 6th due to a lower-body injury. It's fantastic to hear that the veteran is very close to coming back, as he a big part of Winnipeg's forward group.

In 11 games so far this season, Stastny has four goals and eight total points. That's not bad production at all from a versatile forward who is only carrying a $3.75 million cap hit. It will be intriguing to see if he's capable of maintaining this pace as the season progresses.

It is definitely good timing for Stastny to return, too. The Jets have been struggling as late, as they have lost four straight games and sport a 9-6-4 record. With this, they are tied for second in the Central Division, but the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville each are only one point behind them. Thus, wins are needed and Stastny should help them with that.