Winnipeg Jets Trade Options: Could the Islanders Sell?

Recently, reports have shown that the Winnipeg Jets are actively trying to land a center. I had assumed as much, but wasn’t aware they were after big game pivots. Trying to land Derrick Brassard (I would have been thrilled) shows that the Jets want to improve up the middle, and not just at the margins. The New York Islanders have a couple of good centers.

The New York Islanders have been to the playoffs twice in the past four seasons. They have one series victory in that time.  They missed the tournament last season despite scoring 94 points. They’re fourth in goals scored this season. That’s good! They’re last in goals allowed. That’s bad!

If the Islanders are smart, they would not try to buy this season. Scoring a lot of goals is good, but it’s unfathomable a team with a defense that bad could contend. When your best player is about to hit free agency, however, it can drive a team to do crazy things. For this exercise, let’s assume they will decide to give up on this season, tentatively.

Every season, save for one, since he was drafted, John Tavares has led the Isles in scoring. He’s one of the best centers in the league, zero question about it. Only, he’s second on the team in scoring as of now. 20 year old Mathew Barzal has him by one point. Tavares has 13 more goals, for a total of 30, though. Quite the one-two punch. Too bad they don’t play the blue line.

Josh Bailey is third on the team in scoring, but they just handed him a six year extension. I doubt they’re interested in moving him. This hampers their cap space, but the Isles have plenty of free agents next year. They will have space to re-sign John Tavares if he wants to return. Maybe he does. Selling off assets isn’t a great way to convince him to stay, but I don’t believe he will either way.

If the Winnipeg Jets are serious about a center, John Tavares is as good as they come. If the Islanders are convinced they won’t re-sign him, it would be smart to recoup some assets before he splits. Heck, maybe they can even pull the trade-then-sign-in-free-agency move, but let’s not get crazy here.

I don’t need to sit here and tell you the merits of trading for John Tavares. He’s incredible, and you are well aware of that fact. Maybe if they really think Tavares is staying, they would move Barzal for help on the back end. It’s a bad idea, but I didn’t say they only made good decisions. Trading a 20 year old who is on pace to score over 80 points is generally a mistake. If they do that, they better get an established roster player. The Winnipeg Jets aren’t moving a key player (Trouba, Morrissey, Hellebuyck) for center help, no matter how much KevChev wants it.

Next: Jets Trade Options: Finesse The Oilers

The Islanders should sell and the Jets should buy. We know the latter is coming to fruition, at least in attempt. There’s not a defenseman on the Islanders that Winnipeg should want. As for the goalies? Jaroslav Halak is good, but he’s not as good as he thinks. Or we thought, once upon a time. Pass. Anders Lee is the only other player on this roster I would call about. A nice power forward with a good scoring touch (30 goals), Lee would be a nice add if a center doesn’t become available at a good price.

But, if I’m Kevin Cheveldayoff (I’m not, I promise), I’m calling about John Tavares.