The 2017 NHL free agency obviously isn’t weak, boasting players like Brent Burns and Ben Bishop, but what will it look like for the Winnipeg Jets?
The Jets obviously have one of the best, if not, the best prospect pools in the league. Eventually they turn into players, and they are no longer prospects. Once this happens they only need one thing, and that is to win a cup. The only problem is that they can’t fill every single role with prospects, so free agency is where they look to add needed talent, and release unwanted, overpaid players.
First we’ll take a look to see whose contracts are expiring.
UFA’s:
Chris Thorburn
Drew Stafford
Ondrej Pavelec (Goalie)
Paul Postma
Brian Strait
Anthony Peluso
RFA’s:
Alex Burmistrov
Andrew Copp
Marko Dano
Brandon Tanev
Ben Chiarot
Scott Kosmachuk
Connor Hellybuyck
Quinton Howden
JC Lipon
Brenden Kichton
Ryan Olsen
They’ve got a few notable players on those lists that they are going to want to sign.
Starting with UFA’s, they have Chris Thorburn. I’m not quite sure they really want to sign him to something like his last deal which was $1.2M due to the fact that he’s 33, and will become a scratch with all the Jets new prospects that will be playing in the lineup.
Drew Stafford
Stafford is an interesting one, and a bit of a problem. Sure, he’s a good player, and works great for the team, but if the Jets resign him, don’t trade Trouba, and protect four defense he’ll have a really good chance of playing in Las Vegas. They could also trade him for a player that is exempt from the draft.
Ondrej Pavelec
Pavelec probably won’t need to be resigned due to Hellebuyck, but they don’t want to just lose him to free agency. I have a theory that they will play him a lot next season to increase his value, and then they will trade him for prospects and picks.
Paul Postma
Postma may, or may not be signed, depending on his next season. I think they should to provide depth on the back-end.
Anthony Peluso
The Jets need to resign Peluso, because he’s a leader, fan favourite, and can provide depth when there are multiple injuries.
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Now we will take a look at RFA’s.
Alex Burmistrov
Burmistrov is obviously a key depth player, but he’s not going to be able to demand more than $2.5M. He could end up signing a bridge deal.
Andrew Copp
Andrew Copp will have a chance in the future to become a great depth player with the Jets, but is still young. He could probably ask for a deal around $925K-$1.2M.
Marko Dano
Dano hasn’t quite proved his NHL worth, but he has proved that he has really good potential. He could ask for a deal between $1M-$2M
Brandon Tanev
Tanev is a rookie with only three games under his belt. He’ll become a fourth line depth player in the future. He won’t be able to ask for a heck of a lot. Somewhere between $800K-$975K.
Ben Chiarot
Chiarot had one good NHL season playing with Byfuglien, but not too much success with Stuart. The best he’ll become is a bottom two defenseman. He could get around $700K-$950K depending on his next season.
Scott Kosmachuk
Kosmachuk is a very good prospect, and definitely can make a run at making the team this year. He could get a deal around $790K-$925K depending on next season.
Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck has proved that he can be a starter on the Jets, and on Team USA. He probably only wants a one, or two-year deal, and could get $1.5M-$2.3M.
Quinton Howden
Howden could get anywhere, around anything based on his next seasons play.
JC Lipon
Lipon can provide himself as an impact fourth liner next season, and could ask around $990K-$1.1M.
Brenden Kitchton
Kitchton may make the team this season as the sixth d-man, and if he does, his next deal will be worth significantly more. If he makes it, he’ll ask for $900K-$925K or if he doesn’t, he’ll make around $650K-750K .
Ryan Olsen
Olsen isn’t too important to the franchise, and may only receive $650K on his next deal.
Other UFA’s they may approach:
TJ Oshie
They may approach Oshie, because he’s a right-winger who’s talented, and would fit into their lineup.
Kevin Shattenkirk
The Jets need to stack up a bit more on D, and Shattenkirk would really solidify their back-end. He could play with one of the rookies, to help develop their game.
Alexander Radulov
It actually may make sense for the Jets to make a run at Radulov. By chance he has a bad season, they could attempt to get him for cheap, on a 1 year deal. If has a good season, they could go for him for a bit more to solidify the right-wing.
If the Jets really want to be a Stanley Cup contender, they are going to have to make a splash in the free agency frenzy next season, and they are going to need to make a big one.