Pionk has missed the last two games but will replace Ville Heinola in the lineup on Tuesday. Pionk, who has three goals and 28 assists (31 points) in 52 games, should be back on PP1 vs. Vancouver.
Pionk missed Friday's practice and will be held out of the lineup on Saturday with what head coach Paul Maurice called "minor." With Pionk sidelined, Jordie Benn will draw back into the lineup.
The Jets acquired Pionk from the Rangers as a part of the Jacob Trouba trade and signed the RFA defenseman to a two-year contract. Pionk had six goals and 20 assists (26 points) in 73 games last season and will likely open the 2020 season on the Jets second or third pairing.
Pionk had six goals and 20 assists (26 points) in 73 games with the Rangers in his first full NHL season in 2018-19. Like Trouba, Pionk is also a restricted free agent on July 1st, but will command a lot less money and will allow the Jets to get Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor this offseason. Winnipeg loses a top-pairing defenseman and get a player who looks like nothing more than a third-pairing player with modest offensive-upside.
Pionk suffered a lower-body injury in Columbus on Sunday and will be out until after the NHL All-Star break. The Rangers will be without both Pionk and Frederik Claesson for at least a few weeks, so look for Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith to remain in the lineup.
Pionk was scratched for Saturday’s game against the Islanders and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game in Columbus.
Pionk is a minus-3 while averaging 19:15 TOI/GM in his first three games of the season. Fredrik Claesson will draw in and replace Pionk vs. the Sharks.
Pionk, 22, was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, who has collected 17 points (1G / 16A) in 48 games in his first season with Hartford (AHL). Pionk could make his NHL debut this weekend after Brendan Smith was placed on waivers this afternoon.
