On the Winnipeg Jets …
- Nicholas Goss: Goss wonders where Jacob Trouba fits in with the Jets now. Trouba, along with Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers are all right handed shots.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Byfuglien was a must sign for the Jets. When a player like Byfuglien wants to remain in Winnipeg, they have to find a way to make it happen. There will be some fallout from Byfuglien’s five-year, $38 million deal.If the Jets can’t re-sign Andrew Ladd by the deadline, they have to trade him. Nobody will critize that Jets now if they trade Ladd as they were able to re-sign Byfuglien.
Several teams, including the LA Kings where looking at Byfuglien, will now have to look elsewhere.
Jacob Trouba is a pending RFA and will need a new deal. They had started contract talks last offseason, but tabled them when Trouba and his agent decided to put them on hold. LeBrun wonders if the Jets will now listen to offers on Trouba.
- Allan Muir of SI: The Jets will now make Andrew Ladd available at the trade deadline, and he’ll get plenty of interest. His game may be declining a bit, but he plays a style that can make life miserable for opposing players. There are plenty of Western Conference teams that could use a player like him. The price to trade for him will be high – likely a draft pick and a prospect that could be in the NHL next year.It could mean the end of Travis Hamonic to the Jets rumors. The Jets have right handed Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers locked up long-term, and Jacob Trouba likely getting a long-term deal this offseason.
The Oilers could now be the favorite to add Hamonic, though it may not happen until the draft.
Top defensemen at the deadline may now be Keith Yandle and Dan Hamhuis.