The Manitoba Moose (5-1-0-0) kick off their six-game road trip with a visit to the Grand Rapids Griffins (6-1-1-0).

Coverage of today’s matchup gets going at 5:45 p.m. CDT on CJOB.com, the Winnipeg Jets App and AHLTV on FloHockey. Puck drop at Van Andel Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT.

Antlers to Wings

The Winnipeg Jets recalled forward Brayden Yager from the Moose on Monday morning, his second recall in his young professional career. The Saskatoon, Sask. native has been off to a torrid start to 2026-27, scoring nine points (5G, 4A), good for a share of first on the club. In his rookie campaign in 2025-26, Yager totalled 30 points (10G, 20A), and skated three games with the Jets. On the young season, the 21-year-old has two power play goals and one game-winning goal, which came on Sunday in an overtime win over the Texas Stars. He has also recorded three multi-point games, including two three-point nights. 

Hot Like the Sun

That sizzling sound you hear is Nikita Chibrikov, who is red hot to start his fourth season in antlers. The Moscow, Russia native moved into a tie with Brayden Yager for the team lead with nine points (4G, 5A), though is now Manitoba’s active leader after Yager’s recall on Monday. Chibrikov has six points (3G, 3A) over his past two games, and is up to seven points (4G, 3A) over his past three. He is the first Moose player to record back-to-back three-point games since Jeff Malott on March 3 & 6/24. The winger is better than halfway to his point total in 2025-26, when he ended with 16 points (6G, 10A), and boasts a plus-four rating. That mark is tied for second on the club. Chibrikov is tied for seventh in the AHL in points. 

Power Players

The Moose own the AHL’s best power play through six games, clicking at 42.1 percent, 6.6 percent better than the Laval Rocket, who own the second-best mark. Manitoba has scored eight power play goals, the fourth-most in the AHL, and has had the fourth-least opportunities with the man advantage, with 19 power plays. Nikita Chibrikov leads the way with three markers on the man-advantage, tied for fourth in the league. Brayden Yager trails close behind with a pair of goals, with Colby Barlow, Kevin He, and Noah Gregor all adding one of their own.

Return of Elias

Elias Salomonsson made his return to the ice on Sunday, being loaned to the Moose from the Winnipeg Jets after being cleared for action. The Skellefteå, Sweden native fired two shots on goal in his season debut, playing on a pairing alongside newcomer Henry Thrun. Salomonsson is in his third season of North American hockey, posting 36 points
(6G, 30A) through 83 games in antlers. He played 32 games with the Jets after making his NHL debut on Nov. 26/25 at Washington. Salomonsson tallied five points (1G, 4A) with the big club, getting his first goal on Feb. 27/26 at Anaheim.

Who’s Trending?

Moose blueliner Henry Thrun is currently riding a three-game point streak, posting three helpers over that span. The Southborough, Mass. native is in his first season with the Moose, and has four points (4A) through six contests. Thrun helped the Toronto Marlies win the Calder Cup in 2025-26, and signed with the Winnipeg Jets during the summer.