The NHL Trade Deadline is just about a week away as the Winnipeg Jets have some decisions to make. Winnipeg sputtering over its last ten games has led to more questions than anything. What do they need to fix err buy the most? Let’s dive into the facts.
NHL Trade Deadline — Facts and Figures — Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg finds itself under the cap with over $20 million in cap space. The specter of bonuses is a bigger issue as that cap number settles in at around $8 million. Patrik Laine could be owed $2.65 million alone. Kyle Connor earning up to $850,000 is possible, add in several other players eligible and that trims the cap number down.
They only have 41 standard performance contracts so that is not an issue. However, the Jets do not have a third or seventh-round pick. That matters a tiny bit but overall is not significant. They face a ton of difficult decisions over the summer. On the other hand, Winnipeg could contend for a Stanley Cup.
Lately, teams have exposed Winnipeg as far as their spacing issues. This has occurred before and was a stape of Winnipeg teams for years. If the Jets can add some dynamic speed, err players who can accelerate, they stand a chance. Winnipeg has more holes than they did a year ago. That is the reality.
Winnipeg can afford any rental on the deadline market. Mark Stone is the highest at $7.35 million. That should not be an issue. Winnipeg can not afford deals with strings attached, however.
Winnipeg developing into an average 5-on-5 team is troubling. Ben Chiarot is no Tobias Enstrom. Those are the facts. Chiarot is not the only source of blame. Their breakouts overall have not been the same and again that spacing issue has reared its ugly head. The biggest needs are a play moving forward and a top-4 left-handed defenseman.
Who can the Winnipeg Jets dangle in a trade?
Alas, Winnipeg looks like a team that needs to win now based on next year’s cap dilemmas. Some names floating out there include Nic Petan and Jack Roslovic. Roslovic would seem untouchable but Kevin Cheveldayoff may have to pay to play. If he wants to make a big splash, it is going to cost. Could top prospects like Sam Niku and Dylan Samberg be expendable? It remains a possibility. The reason is the fact that Winnipeg stands a chance to win now.
For the Jets to go catch a big fish, they need to dangle some impressive bait. What will they target?
Winnipeg Jets players to target…
Mark Stone — Stone presents as the big playmaking forward who is excellent on defense as well. It is far more than him averaging over a point a game offensively. The ability to stretch defenses, make breakouts faster and slow down opposing offenses is immeasurable. He cures the 5-on-5 issues that Winnipeg currently has. On the other hand, he won’t help the power play. Then again, the even strength issues are more profound.
Matt Duchene — Duchene fixes a few problems and moves the needle a bit on the power play. Even if you discount his high shooting percentage, the center is still a 60+ point producer. That gives Winnipeg a 1-2 punch once again offensively. However, this fixes little defensively. Duchene will not overcome those deficiencies in Winnipeg. If anything, they would be more amplified.
Wayne Simmonds — Simmonds once was a great idea but that time may have come and gone. His numbers are down overall and might not get much better in Winnipeg. Simmonds will cost more than the Jets are willing to give up.
Kevin Hayes — Hayes intrigues people because he has become more defensively responsible while producing at a 60+ point pace this year. Can he sustain that while playing 16-17 minutes instead of 19:35? Hayes costs less than a Stone or even a Duchene but will the Rangers part with the center?
Just a few players more…
Alex Edler — Edler recovering from a concussion would help fill that second-pairing void. Unfortunately, he is a lifelong Vancouver Canuck who is likely to not waive his no-trade clause. Vancouver remains poised to re-sign the defenseman.
After that, there is no left defenseman that can move the needle and again there are strings attached. Niklas Hjalmarsson is incredible defensively but a right defenseman and has a limited no-move clause. Niklas Kronwall aging horribly makes him almost unwanted. Then, the St. Louis resurgence all but kills hope of prying one of their defensemen away. This deadline comes down to Kevin Cheveldayoff’s ability to acquire that player(s) which helps their biggest problems. Even if that means trading an unexpected asset or two away.
