The Winnipeg Jets and a John Tavares Pipe Dream
With free agency upon us and one real big fish sitting out there, it’s time to dream. Even if he’s not a fit, it’s always fun to dream about what the Winnipeg Jets would look like with another star.
The Winnipeg Jets are not going to land John Tavares. The Islanders, Sharks, Bruins, Lightning, Leafs and the Stars are the six teams on Tavares’ list.
That list is two things: One, it isn’t fun. Two, it is without the Winnipeg Jets on it. Those two are not mutually exclusive, but whatever. Those are all teams I don’t care for, save for Tampa. And he’s not going to Tampa.
But what if, Tavares changes his mind and the Mississauga native decides he likes central Canada? The Jets would take a new center, and Tavares would get a good chance to win the Stanley Cup. Win win?
This, of course, comes with the obvious caveat that this will not happen. I will eat my hat (not my favorite hat, but one of ’em) if Tavares signs with Winnipeg. Mark it down.
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But let’s consider what would happen if Winnipeg did win that sweepstakes and got themselves something they haven’t had since 2001 and Ilya Kovalchuk: A first overall pick.
They had some seconds, sure, but not a first. Not that it matters. John Tavares lives up to his status, however.
The Winnipeg Jets top six (and top 9) would be a veritable All-Star team. Tavares could slot into his normal spot atop the team’s first line (probably) or make the second line unbeatable.
Let’s consider it. If you put him on the top line, you’re pushing Mark Scheifele down and putting him in between Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor. That’s not a bad thing. That top line would have scored 232 points last season. That’s a shade under a point per game for each of them.
Also, with Connor scoring 31 and Tavares 37 goals, Blake Wheeler has even more talent to pass to. Oh, and Tavares is also a fantastic passer. All three could cross 30 goals and 60 points. It would be ridiculous.
That would also mean Mark Scheifele, who is absurdly good, is now centering Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. Those are the Winnipeg Jets second, third and fourth highest scorers last season. Scheifele was at a point per game (like Tavares), albeit in just 60 contests.
A point per game center, the Wests’ best sniper and a speed demon with a really good offensive game would be a hell of a second line. And give the Winnipeg Jets likely the best top six in the NHL.
Let’s not forget the trickle down effect this has. This puts Bryan Little firmly on the third line. Say what you want about his contract, but he’s solid on the bottom six.
Teams would kill for a player like him. Not at his price tag, but we’ll worry about that later. In all honesty though, Winnipeg would probably look to unload him should they take on the ~$10mm Tavares will be earning.
Having two All-Star centers is a luxury most teams wouldn’t have. The Penguins manage, and this situation would be a lot like that (although Sidney Crosby is above all the players mentioned), except Evgeni Malkin isn’t much of a defender.
Who else can boast six players that are All-Star caliber on their top two lines? And only two of them haven’t reached thirty goals in their career. Nik Ehlers, who just had 29 in his third full season, and Blake Wheeler, who just scored 91 points without John Tavares.
Look, I know it’s fun, and this move likely makes the Winnipeg Jets the #1 Cup contender. But…it’s not going to happen. I just hope he doesn’t go to Boston (or back to the Isles). It’s just a shame he won’t be chasing a 300 goal season in Winnipeg. Or a Stanley Cup victory.