Mark Stuart: (Lower Body) Out Until February

Coach Paul Maurice announced Thursday that Stuart will be out until February with a lower-body injury.

Analysis:

Winnipeg's situation on defense has turned from troubling to dire, as Stuart's absence means that all of the Jets' top four blueliners are now out with significant injuries. Though Stuart offers the least offensive ability of those four players, he's arguably the most feisty, as he leads the team in blocked shots (74) and ranks fifth in hits (74). He apparently suffered the injury during a fight in Tuesday's 5-1 rout of the Sabres.