Doctors advise Jets' Little not to play next season

Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little has been told he shouldn't suit up in 2020-21.

"After consulting with all the doctors and getting all the information and taking the time to digest everything, it's recommended by the doctors that Bryan Little does not play this coming season," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Friday.

"What that means (for) the future, that'll be addressed at the appropriate times, but that's essentially where things are at with Bryan," Cheveldayoff continued.

Little hasn't played since suffering a perforated eardrum when a puck struck him in the side of the head during a game in November 2019. It was his seventh contest of the campaign.

The 32-year-old - who'll turn 33 on Nov. 12 - was a key pivot for Winnipeg before his injury. Little scored at least 15 goals in six straight seasons and notched over 20 in three of those. He has four years left on his contract, which carries a $5.29-million cap hit.

Little has spent his entire 13-year career with the Jets franchise, including four campaigns with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Winnipeg reacquired center Paul Stastny on Friday, as the Jets clearly had a need up the middle given Little's status.

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