The Winnipeg Jets will be in the market for defensemen when the trade freeze is lifted in a few days. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke with NHL.com, explaining that the team is looking to improve the back end through trades or free agency, even though they have several young defensemen in the system already. Jordie Benn, Derek Forbort, and Tucker Poolman are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
There’s also the possibility that Dylan DeMelo is selected by the Seattle Kraken, leaving the Jets even more shorthanded. Currently, the team has just DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, Nathan Beaulieu, and Sami Niku under one-way contracts for next season. Logan Stanley and Neal Pionk are both restricted free agents, while Ville Heinola, who could be in line for a full-time role, is still on his entry-level contract. Even if that whole group was brought back, it simply wasn’t good enough to help the Jets really contend for the Stanley Cup, meaning a more substantial change could be in order.
- The Seattle Kraken are reportedly considering a select-and-trade with St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko, but Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest tweets that it could get even more complicated than that. Strickland suggests a third team could be involved in any Tarasenko trade were the Kraken to choose him. That would open up the door for even more salary retention, potentially giving someone the 29-year-old forward at a bargain. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic spoke with the doctor that performed Tarasenko’s most recent shoulder surgery, who explained that it is “rock solid” and suggested the sniper would be at full strength for the start of the 2021-22 season.
- Strickland also tweets that the Blues have serious interest in New York Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich, who is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this summer for the final time. Buchnevich is now 26, just a year away from UFA status, and appeared on Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff’s list of trade targets last week, with the scribe writing that Rangers GM Chris Drury has “engaged in conversation about the possibility of moving” him. With 20 goals and 48 points in 54 games this season, Buchnevich has blossomed into a true top-six option that could potentially replace some of the outgoing firepower in St. Louis. It’s not just Tarasenko that could be leaving the Blues, as Mike Hoffman, Jaden Schwartz and Tyler Bozak are also all pending UFAs.
I’m not so sure how “solid as a rock” helps people forget the fact that we built houses in Iraq.
I happen to have a new business model, right here!
@Gavin – Tell the truth, now. Did you obtain this business acumen from that prominent role of “Marshall Lucky” in the cult classic, “Used Cars?”
My brother wasn’t optimistic it could be done, but I wouldn’t take ‘wasn’t optimistic it could be done’ for an answer
Marcus Pettersson seems like the kind of nondescript and unexciting (yet still solid) acquisition that Kevin Chevaldayoff lives for…
Funny how Tarasenko is called a sniper in this article. Looking at his numbers I just don’t see it. Even before the shoulder issues. Maybe inflated because he was on cover of an NHL video game? I’d pass hard on him if I am a GM.
That’s why you’re not a gm
Armstrong(Blues GM) is obviously taking a hard pass
Lol, is this sarcasm? Tarasenko was THIRD in the ENTIRE Nhl in goals over the 5 years before his shoulder injuries, THIRD. And only one goal from being tied for second, and scored 33 goals or more in everyone of those seasons. Yet, that’s not a sniper?? I literally made an account to respond to that reply, lmao.
ok as a life long stl fan 91 is a dynamic player when healthy, right now 91 biggest problem is himself. he is unhappy being on a cup contending team and only wants to be traded to a cup team. news flash vladimir just like the blues all the other cup teams have cap issues and can’t afford you especially with your health issues and crybaby attitude. tbh what team really wants to take on that headache, yes he can put points up but can you really rely on that shoulder or more importantly if things don’t go his way is he going to pout and quit when things don’t go his way. if me as a fan can see this gm’s have already made up there minds on 91 and unless they can get him cheap he will be a hold out on the blues.
Andrew Friedman reports Rangers are in stealth mode with Eichel.
He suggested a trade where Rangers send Strome and there 15th overall to Ottawa for their 10th overall.
Than trade Buchnevich, Chityl, Zac Jones, and the 10th overall pick for Eichel.
If the Rangers get Eichel without having to move Lafreniere or even Kakko, well…Adams would be as bad as I think he is at his job.
He has injury concern, he wants to be traded, Adams is not getting what you think he may get. If you got that haul you should not be so upset. Plus you can deal Buchnevich to St Louis for their first and second possibly.