Defenceman Haydn Fleury Returns to Practice

The Winnipeg Jets received a boost on Saturday morning, as defenceman Haydn Fleury took to the ice with his teammates for an optional morning skate in advance of Winnipeg's game against the Detroit Red Wings at 6:00 PM central Saturday evening.

At some point soon, key roster management decisions will need to be made in order to maintain a legal lineup.

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With fellow blueliner Dylan Samberg also working his way back from a lower-body injury, Fleury's return to the fold will make life a bit trickier for players such as Dylan Coghlan, Ville Heinola, Logan Stanley and even veteran blueliner Colin Miller.

All four have sat out games as healthy scratches due to numbers. This development should serve as a bit of a kick in the pants to ensure strong games are played over the course of the next week - as opportunity allows.

With Manitoba Moose captain Dominic Toninato recalled from the minors following the injury to Mason Appleton, the Jets are sitting significantly above the league's requirements in terms of players rostered. However, with Samberg, Fleury and Appleton on the team's injured reserve, the numbers are fine.

According to head coach Scott Arniel, those injury designations will soon change.

Dylan Samberg shed his non-contact sweater late this past week, while Fleury has begun skating with the group - albeit in a non-contact sweater.

Things are certainly beginning to appear crowded on the back-end for Winnipeg, which now boasts Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola, Dylan Coghlan, Dylan Samberg and Haydn Fleury - all of whom are practicing on the back-end for Winnipeg.