# Niederreiter returns as Jets prepare to face Wild

Winnipeg reshuffles its forwards for the October 13 matchup, with the veteran winger one point from a career milestone.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Ice hockey
Published: 2026-10-14T00:01:44.200155Z
Updated: 2026-10-14T00:01:44.200155Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/jets-wild-niederreiter-return-1wap05x

## Summary
- Nino Niederreiter returns to the projected second line.
- Winnipeg seeks a response to its first regulation defeat.
- Minnesota arrives after a win over Vegas.



Nino Niederreiter was set to return to the Winnipeg Jets lineup against the Minnesota Wild on October 13, with the veteran forward one point short of 500 for his NHL career. The Hockey News, in a report carried by Yahoo Sports, said he had been a healthy scratch in three of Winnipeg’s first five games. Illegal Curve Hockey also reported his return to the projected forward combinations. [1](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nino-niederreiter-returns-jets-lineup-204658933.html) [2](https://illegalcurve.com/game-6-winnipeg-jets-vs-minnesota-wild-pre-game-report/)

## A changed forward group

Illegal Curve reported that Niederreiter’s insertion led to changes across the forward lines apart from the top unit, with Brad Lambert skating as the extra forward. Its projected second line paired Niederreiter with Viggo Björck and Gabe Vilardi. Those combinations were a pregame projection, rather than a record of who ultimately played together during the contest. [2](https://illegalcurve.com/game-6-winnipeg-jets-vs-minnesota-wild-pre-game-report/)

The Hockey News described the game as a chance for the 34-year-old winger to regain a regular role. Its report said he was approaching free agency and had recorded eight goals and five assists in 20 career games against Minnesota. Those previous meetings give context to the milestone pursuit without establishing that he would reach it on Tuesday. [1](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nino-niederreiter-returns-jets-lineup-204658933.html)

## Teams arrive on different schedules

Winnipeg was coming off a 5-1 loss to Anaheim on Friday, its first regulation defeat, according to the two reports. Illegal Curve said the coaching staff gave the players two days away from the ice before Monday’s practice. It also reported that Josh Morrissey did not take part in the Tuesday morning skate while dealing with an injury described as day-to-day. [1](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nino-niederreiter-returns-jets-lineup-204658933.html) [2](https://illegalcurve.com/game-6-winnipeg-jets-vs-minnesota-wild-pre-game-report/)

Minnesota, by contrast, had played on Monday, beating Vegas 4-2 after building a three-goal lead. Illegal Curve reported that Nico Sturm was struck in the head by a puck during that game and that Tyler Pitlick had been recalled earlier in the day. The outlet listed Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in its projected goaltending matchup. Its preview scheduled puck drop for 7:15 p.m. Central time; the lineup and milestone details remain pregame information. [2](https://illegalcurve.com/game-6-winnipeg-jets-vs-minnesota-wild-pre-game-report/)

## Reporting sources
1. [Yahoo Sports: Nino Niederreiter Returns to Jets Lineup Tuesday, One Point Shy of 500 for His Career](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nino-niederreiter-returns-jets-lineup-204658933.html) (October 13, 2026)
2. [Illegal Curve Hockey: Game 6: Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild pre-game report](https://illegalcurve.com/game-6-winnipeg-jets-vs-minnesota-wild-pre-game-report/) (October 13, 2026)