Jets Add Youth As Chibrikov, Ford Earn Main Roster Spots

Jets prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford are getting a major opportunity to prove themselves at the NHL level, as injuries have opened the door for them to showcase their talents heading into the new season. 

The Winnipeg Jets will open the season with a reshuffled lineup, as a wave of injuries has sidelined several key players. Forwards Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti, and Jonathan Toews (who could return as early as Thursday), along with defenseman Dylan Samberg, will all miss the start of the campaign.

In their absence, the Jets will turn to youth, giving a couple of prospects a chance to step into the spotlight. Forwards Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford are expected to crack the opening lineup with Chibrikov stepping in for Perfetti, while Ford will center the fourth line, marking the biggest NHL opportunity yet for both players.

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Chibrikov has been known to be a boom-or-bust player so far in his career as he’s shown flashes of elite upside like his four points through five career NHL games but he’s also shown his downside with some defensive lapses in preseason with the Russian import making costly mistakes that would lead to scoring chances. 

The hope is that he thrives while skating alongside high-caliber linemates like Vladislav Namestnikov or Jonathan Toews and veteran winger Gustav Nyquist. By making an early impact on the scoresheet, growing into the role, and fully seizing the opportunity, he can prove that his skillset warrants more NHL time even after Perfetti returns.