Winnipeg Jets Trade Deadline: Wheelin’ and Dealin’ with Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings are seven points outside of the playoffs and are selling! Let’s look at what the Red Wings have to offer, and if there is anything they could send to the Winnipeg Jets.

The Detroit Red Wings have stated they’re selling off, trading Goaltender Petr Mrazek to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Red Wings have several other pieces they are rumored to have available, these include defenceman Mike Green, Gustav Nyquit and Tomas Tatar.

"“At times, the Red Wings have shown an inclination to move Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar, but not both.” – Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman"

Mike Green

Mike Green is in the final year of a $6 million dollar deal which has a no trade clause. There are several teams targeting Green including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. The ask for Green is expected to be a first round pick or a second and prospects.

Assuming Mike Green would move his no-trade clause for Winnipeg, do the Jets even need or want him?

Mike Green is still producing decently with 6 goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 56 games.  However, he is a right shot defence man and the Winnipeg Jets are loaded on the right side. Plus, there is some question as to his decline in play over the past year.

The Jets could afford Green, but really don’t need him.

Tomas Tatar

Tomas Tatar is a 27 year old centre with a $5.3 million cap hit till 2020-2021 according to CapFriendly. He has 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 60 games this season. The Hockey News describe Tomas Tatar is fast, an play both wings and score goals; his downside is a lack of physicality and small size.

If Tomas Tatar was a rental player the Winnipeg Jets might be interested, but with all their youth requiring new contracts at the end of the year, Tatar’s contract is probably too much.

Rumor has it the Nashville Predators are interested in him, so the Jets may be seeing him in the play-offs.

Gustav Nyquist

Gustov Nyquist is a 28 year old right wing with a $4.75 million cap hit till 2018-2019 according to CapFriendly. He has 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 60 games this season. The Hockey News describes Nyquist as high skilled, smart, offensive skater; his downside being his size and lack of defence.

Of the three players, Nyquist is probably the best fit for the Winnipeg Jets. Nyquist could slot in on a second or third line possible providing additional scoring depth. An interesting alternative would be to play his as a 4^th line center. He’s a natural center which would make the 4^th line even more dangerous.

A huge advantage of obtaining Nyquist would be that it would likely stop any deal between Nashville and the Red Wings for Tatar. The cost for Nyquist would likely be a couple draft picks and perhaps a prospect. Perhaps Dano and a second round pick might be enough.

Next: Winnipeg Jets need to hang up on Tampa Bay

Round-up

Detroit is open for trades, however, what they have to offer doesn’t really fit with what the Winnipeg Jets need. The best target may be Nyquist, but mostly to disrupt a trade between Nashville and Detroit.