Deadline Primer: Winnipeg Jets

With the trade deadline fast approaching, we will be taking a closer look at the situation for each team.  Where do they stand, what do they need to do, and what assets do they have to fill those needs?  Next up is a look at the Winnipeg Jets.

A lot has gone wrong in Winnipeg this season, especially on the injury front.  Their key offseason addition between the pipes has had multiple concussions, the back end has been banged up, and they’ve had enough injuries up front to the point where Blake Wheeler had to go from right wing to play down the middle.  However, in spite of all of that, the Jets have flourished.  They are one of the top scoring teams in the league and are getting solid goaltending which makes them a team to watch for down the stretch and into the postseason.

Record

34-15-9, first in Central Division

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$26.2MM full-season cap hit, 0/3 retained salary transactions, 43/50 contracts per CapFriendly

Draft Picks

2018: WPG 1st, WPG 2nd, WPG 3rd, WPG 4th, BOS 5th, WPG 5th, WPG 6th, WPG 7th
2019: WPG 1st, WPG 2nd, WPG 4th, WPG 5th, WPG 6th, WPG 7th

Trade Chips

While many have been critical of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s reticence to be active on the trade market with an eye on stockpiling quality prospects instead, it’s hard to argue with the current results and it’s that prospect pool that should come in handy in the days to come.  Winnipeg has several players that are on the cusp of making an NHL impact and quite a few sellers around the league will be coveting those types of prospects over picks which should have the Jets in good shape.

In terms of the active roster, veteran Shawn Matthias was made available back in December but he has been out for more than a month now with an upper-body issue.  Winger Brandon Tanev is also on the outside looking in when everyone is healthy but he too is injured at the moment.  Forward Marko Dano has spent much of the season as a healthy scratch and is someone that could benefit from a change of scenery.

Five Players To Watch For: C/W Marko Dano, LW Brendan Lemieux, RW J.C. Lipon, LW Nic Petan, LW/RW Brandon Tanev

Team Needs

1) Middle-Six Forward: With Mark Scheifele back, they don’t necessarily need to look for a center but if they want to hedge against having to use Wheeler there again, they could look there.  Failing that, a winger that can play on the second or third line would help lengthen their attack and give them some depth in case more injuries strike.  Considering Winnipeg is one of the younger teams in the league and the fact they haven’t had a lot of playoff experience lately, it would make some sense for them to look at someone with some postseason experience.  They’ve been linked to Patrick Maroon out of Edmonton and he would fit this role nicely.

2) Goalie Depth: A month ago, it looked like Michael Hutchinson was a trade candidate for teams looking for goaltending depth.  Fast forward to today and he’s on IR with a concussion as is Steve Mason who is dealing with his second of the year already.  Although Mason has started skating, there still is no timetable for his return.  Currently, prospect Eric Comrie is the backup goaltender which isn’t an ideal situation for a young goalie to be in; they’d rather have him getting the bulk of the starts at the AHL level.  Finding a veteran who can serve as the backup and start a game or two if need be would allow them to send Comrie back down.  Fortunately for the Jets, there are several netminders like this available.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.