Winnipeg Jets fans will have something to cheer about as forward Cole Perfetti is set to make his season debut on Sunday after recovering from a high-ankle sprain. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the Jets' final preseason game on October 3 while delivering a check to Calgary Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl. Perfetti's return comes after he missed the first 14 games of the season.

Jets coach Scott Arniel reported on October 5 that Perfetti suffered the ankle sprain during the preseason game against the Calgary Flames. After colliding with Bahl in the second period, Perfetti left the game and did not return, sparking speculation when he missed practice.

Perfetti is expected to slot into the second-line right winger position alongside Vladislav Namestnikov and Jonathan Toews, a spot he was initially slated for before the injury.

The injury was a setback for Perfetti and the Jets, especially considering his performance last season. In the 2024-25 season, Perfetti recorded career highs in assists (32) and points (50), with 18 goals. His contributions were vital in the Jets' successful season, which saw them clinch their first-ever Central Division title and the Presidents' Trophy with a league-leading 116 points. The Jets eliminated the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs but were ultimately defeated by the Dallas Stars in the second round.

Drafted tenth overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Perfetti has accumulated 47 goals and 78 assists for 125 points in 222 career regular-season games over his five NHL seasons. He also has six points in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games, with three goals and three assists. Before joining the NHL, Perfetti played for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, where he had a standout season in 2019-20 with 37 goals and 74 assists for 111 points.

Internationally, Perfetti has represented Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship, where he scored twice and assisted on four goals in seven games.

Perfetti is currently in the final year of his two-year, $6.5 million contract, with an annual earning of $3.25 million. His return is anticipated to boost the Jets' offense and provide a valuable asset as they navigate the 2025-26 season.