The Winnipeg Jets Will Look at the Rental Market This Season

The Winnipeg Jets haven’t added the way they wanted to this offseason. But you know, they’re probably still going to be pretty good. When the team realized they were good last season, they attempted to capitalize.

Look, I’ve noted the Winnipeg Jets are probably looking at the trade market already. For what, exactly, remains to be seen. We know they’re interested in a #2 center.

Would any other top six forwards pique their interest? Perhaps another defenseman? Could the team even look for a package of NHL players to acquire in exchange for Jacob Trouba?

His time could be running out, and the team doesn’t seem eager to give him a big deal. I know relations were contentious in the past, but hey, maybe that’s in the past. I know a lot of teams are looking at the upcoming season with optimism.

You don’t ever want to punt on a season before it begins. Some teams know ahead of time. Some teams assume they’ll lose, but just hoping for surprise developments. But midseason? The rental market is flourishing.

St. Louis was contending for a playoff spot. They knew they wouldn’t midseason, so they got what they could for Paul Stastny. Who might do the same this sesason?

Well, who might be available?

Well, Alex Pietrangelo is an impending FA, but I can’t imagine the Blues won’t want to hang onto him. And unless there’s an injury, I doubt the Jets go for another high end defenseman. But hey, if they think they can’t re-sign him and move him for Trouba plus, the Jets might see if they can work out an extension.

However, there’s another poorly run team that’s fallen apart and probably won’t contend: The New York Rangers. They also have a bevy of young impending free agents. Jesper Fast, Jimmy Vesey, Chris Kreider and Vladislav Namestnikov are all hitting the market next season.

I know Henrik Lundqvist is amazing, but time’s arrow marches forward. And this team isn’t super-competitive. Kreider is the best of the bunch but has trouble staying healthy. Vesey and Namestnikov are good young offensive players.

Jesper Fast is a bottom six guy, but one of the best I’ve ever watched. They’d all help the Jets. And the Rangers can’t keep all of them (Well, technically, they could, given their cap space, but it’s unlikely).

This is a deeper FA class than this current group, but without the stud at the top in John Tavares. Nick Backstrom, Tyson Barrie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and TJ Brodie are among the other impending FA. Tyler Toffoli is out there, too.

There’s backup goalies to be had, as well, provided the duo of Eric Comrie and Laurent Brossoit falter. Craig Anderson could be convinced to backup at this stage of his career. Jacob Markstrom, Aaron Dell, Thomas Greiss and even Jaroslav Halak (please avoid) are impending FA.

The point is, the upgrades are there if the Winnipeg Jets feel they need them come midseason. Are they willing to pay the price? Might have to be, if things are going as well as last season. Gotta take every chance you can to win.