How Erik Karlsson could be on the Winnipeg Jets soon – Part 2

How will Erik Karlsson be on the Winnipeg Jets? Read below for part two!

Cap space, and contender in near future

The Jets are one of the few good teams to have any amount of cap space. Karlsson’s dream situation would likely be going to a team that has a shot at the cup, and also can take on the large contract that Karlsson wants. The Jets are a good team, with a cup that will clearly be coming in our near future. We also have lots of cap space, and those are two key things for this deal to go down. Finally we have players that need to be dealt away or they will leave the Jets with little or no return.

A look at a two deals that could make sense:

Deal #1:

Winnipeg Receives: Erik Karlsson, Johnny Oduya

Ottawa Receives: Jacob Trouba, Mason Appleton, 1st round pick, and Marko Dano

I like this deal because it’s not overly complicated with way too many picks and retaining money. It’s straightforward, with a few players and a pick. It gets the Jets exactly what they’re looking for and gives Ottawa a replacement for Karlsson. I think this is a really fair trade for both sides. We would literally get one of the best defenders in the game, and we would also get a rental in Oduya. I like the idea of Oduya returning to Winnipeg because he was previously traded away. I think this would be a good chance for him to go far in the playoffs, and give the Jets another option during an injury filled time.

If Winnipeg brought in Erik Karlsson, I think the fans would go absolutely nuts, in a good way. We would get someone stable that would help lead us to a cup. This guy could legitimately be the final piece for a Stanley Cup to come home to Winnipeg. We’d also be sending Trouba packing which is something that’s going to happen anyways. He actually could be quite and issue this free agency so why not solve it by flipping him.

The first round pick is a very key and valuable part. It gives the deal that equalizer for both teams. Mason Appleton is also important as he is a valuable prospect that Winnipeg can afford to trade. Dano will be given another chance to get his career back on track, so for Ottawa it’s a low risk, high reward situation.

Deal #2:

Winnipeg Receives: Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone


Ottawa Receives: Jacob Trouba, Tobias Enstrom, Adam Lowry, Nic Petan, 1st round pick

Once again, the Winnipeg Jets get Karlsson and Ottawa gets Trouba. I shook it up a bit by throwing in Mark Stone to Winnipeg. He is almost a point per game player with Ottawa. The Sens also get Tobias Enstrom who they could re-sign, play for the end of the season. The could even use him as trade bait. Now, where things get interesting is with Adam Lowry. Lowry is a big, hard working player that you don’t just stumble upon. He wouldn’t be easy for the Jets to cough up, but it wouldn’t be an impossible for the right return. Nic Petan is also in this deal. He’s a small, skilled forward who just hasn’t fit in right with the Jets. I think for his sake, he should be playing for a different team.

I think if Ottawa was really looking for a big shake up, and maybe a little re-tool, this is how Stone could get involved. Stone is a valuable player, and could be a nice addition for the Winnipeg Jets.

If the Jets made this deal, I think they’d have to immediately go looking for another defenseman. They could probably get a veteran rental like Luke Schenn, maybe Josh Gorges, or even Kevin Bieksa (with lots of retained salary) for fairly cheap.