Winnipeg Jets: Looking ahead at the Trade Deadline

This day is one of the most exciting for hockey fans all around the NHL, especially Winnipeg Jets fans. It’s the Trade Deadline. Teams make the decision of whether they’re going to make a playoff run, or tank for a highly touted prospect. It’s quite intriguing to see how much you’re team wants to win, and if they will win based on the trades made.

Sure, it might be a bit early to talk about what’s going to happen on Deadline Day. That’s not the point, I’m just going to talk about some Winnipeg Jets players who could be on the move, and who could throw on the blue, white and grey near end of the season.

Who we could give up

When wheeling and dealing, you can receive some massive assets. The downfall to what you receive is what you must give up. Chevaldayoff isn’t going to give up anyone just to make a deal, as he is a very patient GM.

Steve Mason has been anything but impressive. He has a sub par save percentage, at .899, and a Goals Against Average of 3.47. He hasn’t been the stable backup to take over if needed like he was brought on to be. The Jets could afford to cough him up, but not just yet. He’s got a fairly large deal, which makes teams back off. If he starts to play a bit better and get his value up, it might make a bit more sense.

Mason Appleton has been absolutely fabulous down in the AHL. Coming into the season, there was barely expectations for him. He’s been on fire. Appleton could fetch a nice return in a trade, but it would have to be worth our while. We wouldn’t want to give him up for just a rental, or an invaluable veteran. The deal has to make sense for us, and our future.

The Winnipeg Jets haven’t had a whole lot of success with Nic Petan in the NHL. He didn’t put up a noticeable number of points, and wasn’t overly “game changing”. He’s taken a lot longer to develop than fellow 2013 draftees like Josh Morrissey, Andrew Copp, and Tucker Poolman. It’s been a painful process watching him fail, and it’s probably time to move on while he still has value.

Who we should pursue

With many injuries, it might make sense to pick up a veteran rental. It would have to be a cheap return price that wouldn’t put our future in jeopardy.

If the Winnipeg Jets are looking to go big, it should be Erik Karlsson. He’s the best defenseman in the league, and would bring a great presence to Winnipeg. Having both Karlsson and Byfuglien on the back end could make for a nearly indestructible blueline. Karlsson would come with a hefty price tag, but I believe he’s worth it.

 Thomas Vanek signed with the Vancouver Canucks this offseason. I can’t say I know why Vancouver wanted him, or why he desired to be there. It was only a one year contract for an affordable amount of $2 million. Vanek is a veteran with lots of experience in the playoffs, which not too many Jets have. He has 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 points this season with the Canucks. Vanek would make a great addition for a playoff run if the price was right. He could end up saving the Jets if injuries started to become a problem. I think a fair offer would be Thomas Vanek in exchange for Jimmy Lodge and a 4th round pick. It’s similar to the price Florida had to pay last season to acquire him from Detroit. They gave up a 3rd rounder, and an AHL/NHL-7th-defenseman (Dylan McIlrath). The Jets would give assets of less value because he hasn’t accumulated as many points as he did last season, and because he is a year older.

A little wild but…

The Calgary Flames have two players that could be appealing to the Winnipeg Jets. They are Jaromir Jagr and Mikael Backlund. Jaromir Jagr is an NHL legend. He’s been playing since before most guys were born, and is still a good player. Jagr only has seven points this season, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t make a valuable piece in our lineup. Jagr has a cheap contract, at only one million and we should have no problem acquiring him for very cheap. I think we could send a fifth or sixth round pick to get Jagr in return.

Mikael Backlund is another player in the middle of his prime that we should pursue. He could be a rental, as his deal expires this offseason, but could also make an even better addition if we were able to re-sign him. It would likely be a bit more costly to get him, but it’d make sense.

Next: Why the Jets can't win in overtime this season

 Time for Chevy to wheel and deal…

Kevin Chevaldayoff has never really been a huge spender at the deadline. He stays safe, and is always a patient player in terms of trading. This deadline should be different. Jets fans want to see the team win this season, and they want to see it bad. He should stay away from pawning off future Jets, but definitely should make a deal.