Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice announced on Thursday morning that forward Bryan Little, currently his team's second-leading scorer, is going to be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season with a compression fracture of the T6 vertebrae.
Coach Maurice announced Bryan Little is out for the season (compression fractured vertebrae). #NHLJets recall Halischuk from @ManitobaMoose.
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) February 25, 2016
The injury happened when Little was leveled by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman during a game last week. It was a devestating open ice hit that angered the Jets and infuriated Maurice. Maurice was so upset Stralman was not ejected that he ended up getting himself ejected from the game after screaming at the officials on two different occasions during the game.
Stralman received no discipline from the NHL for the hit.
Here is a look at the play one more time
#GottaSeeIt - Bryan Little gets caught with a rough hit and head coach Paul Maurice is penalized for losing his coolhttps://t.co/pW7ETqveXD
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 19, 2016
Sitting 14 points out of a wild card spot as of Thursday, the Jets' playoff hopes are pretty much gone and losing Little isn't going to do anything to help that.
When you combine Little's injury with the fact that team captain Andrew Ladd, set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, is almost certain to be traded before the NHL trade deadline on Monday it's quite likely the Jets could end up with one of the worst records in the league this season.
