The Jets placed a defender Dylan Coghlan on waivers ahead of the upcoming roster freeze, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. In a related but not entirely corresponding move: winger Nikolaj Ehlers was brought off injured reserve ahead of today’s game against the Ducks, according to the league’s media site. center David Gustafssonwho has been on the verge of a concussion since his fight against the Bruins Trent Frederick was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 10 to keep the Jets’ active roster at a maximum of 23 until Coghlan can be removed tomorrow.

Ehlers had missed the last nine games because of a lower-body injury he suffered on Nov. 29 against the Golden Knights. The Jets managed to go 5-3-1 in his absence and have not lost in regulation time in their last four games. The injury cut short a resurgent season for the impending unrestricted free agent, who still ranks fifth on the team with 25 points (9 G, 16 A) in 24 games. If his pace continues, the Danish winger will break the points per game barrier for the first time in his ten-year career. If he plays tonight he will probably take his place on the second row Vladislav Namestnikov And Cole Perfetti while beginners Nikita Chibrikovwho has scored two goals and one assist in four appearances this season, heads to the press box.

Coghlan, 26, signed a two-way contract with the Jets in the offseason after they acquired his contract rights from the Hurricanes. He made the team’s first roster but was stuck in the press box and played only once this year despite not wearing an injured card. Winnipeg had eight defensemen on the active roster for most of the season, but didn’t have the impetus to make many lineup changes. Their relatively healthy blue line has contributed to a 23-9-1 record.

His only appearance was against Vegas, his former team, where Ehlers was injured. In 14:38 minutes of ice time, he had two shots on goal for a rating of -1. Winnipeg outscored its opponents 15-8, with Coghlan on the ice at even strength despite making two-thirds of his zone starts on defense.

Thirty-one other teams now have a chance to claim Coghlan, who costs just the NHL’s league minimum of $775,000 against the cap and has 107 games of experience over the past five years. If there is no taker, he will go back to the AHL, this time to the Manitoba Moose. The British Columbia native played in 61 games for the Springfield Thunderbirds last season while under contract with Carolina, leading their defense team with 41 points (16 G, 25 A).