Winnipeg Jets Recall Isaak Phillips
The Winnipeg Jets have made a strategic move ahead of their upcoming four-game away series, which kicks off with a match against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The team has announced the recall of defenseman Isaak Phillips from their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Phillips, who previously had a brief stint with the Jets earlier this season, provides additional depth to the Jets’ defensive lineup.
Phillips’ Performance and Background
At 23 years old, Phillips has appeared in two games for Winnipeg this season when defensive injuries plagued the team. In those appearances, he contributed limited ice time, with 9 and 6 minutes per game, respectively, though he maintained a commendable zero in plus/minus rating, demonstrating solid defensive reliability despite not registering any points.
Phillips was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, where he spent four years but only managed to play 56 games at the NHL level amid a competitive roster. Following a developmental period with the Blackhawks, Phillips joined the Jets for the current season, spending most of the time with the Moose, where he has proven to be productive. In 35 AHL games, he tallied three goals and 12 assists, holding a plus-five rating, indicating his effective two-way play.
Future Role with the Jets
As the Jets prepare for their road trip, Phillips is likely to serve as the seventh defenseman but may not see substantial playing time unless additional injuries occur among the regular lineup. There are also speculations that his recall might be a precautionary measure due to an undisclosed minor issue affecting one of the current defensemen.
