Jan 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Nashville Predators center Mark Jankowski (17) exchange blows during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Nashville Predators Mark Jankowski Sidelined Week-To-Week

Nashville Predators forward Mark Jankowski is out week-to-week due to an injury, impacting the team’s depth as they navigate key matchups.

Nashville Predators forward Mark Jankowski is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained during Saturday’s win against the Minnesota Wild. Jankowski was hurt in a fight with Wild forward Ryan Hartman in the first period and didn’t return to the game, head coach Andrew Brunette confirmed Monday.

Although Jankowski hasn’t been placed on injured reserve yet—thanks to an open roster spot—he might be if the team needs room to activate winger Cole Smith, who is close to returning from a lower-body injury. Smith, who has been out for nearly a month, is now listed as day-to-day, according to Brunette.

Predators’ Mark Jankowski out week-to-week with upper-body injury https://t.co/HnS4uf5s9h
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) January 20, 2025

Losing Jankowski is a setback for the Predators. The 30-year-old has been one of their top defensive forwards this season, with impressive stats like a 55.5% shot attempt share and a solid 2.2 goals against per 60 minutes at even strength. He’s also been a key penalty killer, averaging 12:44 of ice time per game—his highest in three years.

While his offensive numbers are modest (eight points in 37 games), Jankowski’s strong defensive play has helped him solidify his spot in the NHL after spending some time bouncing between the AHL and NHL in recent years. His performance last season, after being called up mid-year, earned him a two-year, $1.6 million extension with the Predators.

With Jankowski sidelined, the Predators are expected to give Kieffer Bellows his first NHL game since April 2023 when they face the San Jose Sharks. Bellows was recalled from the AHL on January 11 and is currently the only extra forward on the roster.

Image Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Anamika Shrivastava

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