Brenden Dillon injury: What happened to Winnipeg Jets defenseman after skate cut?

Jets’ defenseman Brenden Dillon is day-to-day following a frightening incident during last night’s Jets-Avalanche tilt, according to reports per The Athletic Insider:

Dillon left the game following a skate-related laceration and did not return. He rushed off the ice as blood gushed from his left arm following a scrum with Avs forward Brandon Duhaime.

Brenden Dillon sustained a cut on his left hand, drawing immediate reactions from the Jets’ training staff. Prompt medical attention prevented a major injury.

Jets captain Adam Lowry stated, per The Athletic:

"It was scary. Any time a skate blade is involved you never know what’s going to be the outcome."

Fortunately, the outcome wasn’t as serious as initially believed.

Lowry added:

"Everything we’ve heard he’s avoided things that could have been far more serious."

Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness did not comment on Brenden Dillon’s condition after the game. Bowness provided an update on Dillon today, stating per the Winnipeg Free Press:

"There’s no damage and that’s the most important thing. So, we’ll keep him as day-to-day."

The Avs won Friday night’s matchup 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead.

With the series shifting to game four, the Jets hope Dillon can return before their first-round series ends.

As it stands, Dillon should be back far sooner than initially expected. As Bowness stated, “Our doctors did a fantastic job stitching up.” Medical assessments today cleared Dillon of any major injuries.

While Dillon would most likely miss Sunday night’s game four, there might be an opportunity for him to return next Tuesday night for game five. Even if he doesn’t play for the rest of the series, the good news is that Dillon’s injury wasn’t as serious as it looked.

Brenden Dillon: the heartbeat of the team

Following Friday night’s game, several Jets players weighed in on the incident. Jets veteran Neal Pionk told reporters, per the Winnipeg Free Press, referring to Dillon:

"Heartbeat of the team."

Pionk explained his comment:

"He’s throwing his body around, stirring the pot out there and blocking a lot of shots."

As Pionk noted, Dillon does a lot of things that don’t end up on the scoresheet. Considering that Dillon notched 20 points in 77 games this season, his contributions go far beyond goals and assists.

Other Jets players expressed their best wishes. Defenseman Josh Morrissey was quoted by the Winnipeg Sun, stating:

"We’re all really concerned for him and just hoping everything’s OK."

The Colorado players also extended their best wishes. Forward Ross Colton stated, per The Winnipeg Sun:

"You just hope that everyone’s OK. I mean, there was a lot of blood there. So I don’t know. Obviously, it’s a battle out there. He’s a warrior so I mean, hopefully, he’s OK for the next game.”

Fortunately, Brenden Dillon is doing fine despite the circumstances.

While the Jets hope Dillon can return to the lineup, the club’s main concern is his health. Thus far, it seems that Dillon and the Jets have dodged what could have been a devastating injury to the team’s heartbeat.