Jets’ Kyle Connor out vs. Ducks after Ryan Strome collision: How Winnipeg adjusts without leading scorer

Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor exited Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks and was ruled out of the contest after Ducks forward Ryan Strome skated into him and the two collided at the knee. Connor appeared to be unable to put weight on his right leg as Jets staff helped him off the ice and to their dressing room at Honda Center.

Immediately following the collision, Jets center Mark Scheifele fought Strome. The two picked up the requisite five minutes each for fighting but Strome was assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and given a game misconduct after officials reviewed the play.

Strome, who is in his second season with the Ducks, was fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing a water bottle onto the ice at the end of an overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche last April. The 11-year veteran has never been suspended in his 729-game NHL career.

Connor is Winnipeg’s leading goal scorer (17) and point-getter (28). He entered the night two goals back of Nikita Kucherov for the league lead. He’s the Jets’ single most dangerous offensive player, capitalizing on chemistry with Scheifele on the Jets’ first line and top power play unit. All of this adds up to a massive loss for Winnipeg that only grows in significance if Connor’s injury is long-term.

Jets coach Rick Bowness promoted winger Alex Iafallo to Scheifele’s line with Nikolaj Ehlers in the wake of Connor’s injury. Iafallo is a quality two-way forward but, to illustrate the Jets’ loss, his 13 points on the season are less than half of what Connor has scored so far. The Jets were also unable to do much on their five-minute power play with the absences of Connor to injury and Scheifele to the entire advantage being instantly noticeable. They’re simply Winnipeg’s best offensive players.

Winnipeg’s depth up front reduces the likelihood that the Jets call up top offensive AHL prospects like Nikita Chibrikov (eight goals, 10 assists in 19 Moose games) or Brad Lambert (eight goals, nine assists in 20 Moose games.)

What would Connor’s absence mean for Jets?

For Connor, a long-term injury would take him out of consideration for the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s top scorer. It could cost him an All-Star selection as well. The Jets are deep at forward, with Vladislav Namestnikov’s recent return to health helping to round out four quality Jets lines. Without Connor, Scheifele will need to find a way to produce with Ehlers and the Jets secondary scorers — Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter, among others — will need to step up.

A long-term injury probably doesn’t put Winnipeg’s playoff spot in peril but will greatly impede their ability to catch Colorado for top spot in the Central Division. Winnipeg entered Sunday’s game two points back of the Avalanche and a chance to pass them (via the points percentage tiebreaker) with a win. — Murat Ates, Jets staff writer

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(Photo: Debora Robinson / NHLI via Getty Images)