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Winnipeg Jets: Top Three Needs Going Into NHL Trade Deadline

By Dylan Paré

WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 2: Winnipeg Jets players celebrate a first period goal against the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell MTS Place on February 2, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 2: Winnipeg Jets players celebrate a first period goal against the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell MTS Place on February 2, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 05: Gustav Nyquist #14 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with teammate Justin Abdelkader #8 in front of Josh Morrissey #44, Dustin Byfuglien #33 and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on December 5, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 05: Gustav Nyquist #14 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with teammate Justin Abdelkader #8 in front of Josh Morrissey #44, Dustin Byfuglien #33 and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on December 5, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Monday February 25th, the official date set for the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline. It’s now only three weeks away, and talks are heating up for the Winnipeg Jets.

The trade deadline is looming, and teams are either making the decision to buy or sell players off in an attempt to make a run for the cup or to tank for top prospects (Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko).The Winnipeg Jets will be a team looking to make a run and be buyers on the market come this February 25th. There are a few different puzzle pieces Kevin Cheveldayoff would like to have for our run this year.

Solid First/Second Line Player

If Kevin Cheveldayoff is looking to make a big move at this years deadline, it’d be one involving the acquisition of a guy who could slot in on our second line. Whether that’s a center or a winger, making a move for a guy like this would increase competition to stay in the lineup. Our depth will look even better than it already is once we see guys like Nikolaj Ehlers return from injuries.

The top candidates we should be looking at to fill this piece are Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, Wayne Simmonds, Mark Stone, and Gustav Nyquist.

Panarin would likely be a very costly option. Columbus is also looking like they could potentially make a playoff run, and won’t wan’t to trade him to a team they’d have to face early on in the playoffs. The upside is Columbus is in the Eastern Conference, therefore would probably discount the price if the Winnipeg Jets made an offer on him. That’s not to say he still won’t be expensive though… This isn’t something anyone would expect, yet certainly something that could happen.

Duchene and Stone are looking highly likely options for the Jets to pursue in the coming three weeks. The Senators sit dead last in the entire league with only 43 points. There’s no doubt they’ll be moving most, if not all of their 2019 expiring contracts. Winnipeg has been linked to the Sens a lot lately, so it’s something to watch out for. Both these players pack a punch, with Duchene at 47 points in 41 games and Stone at 50 points in 50 games.

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Both Simmonds and Nyquist are in the same boat with bad teams, playing on Philadelphia and Detroit, respectively. Simmonds could bring a great element of toughness, net front presence, and forechecking ability, while Nyquist would be able to bring more points to the table, with 45 in 51 games. Wayne Simmonds is easily one of my favourite players in the NHL, and it’d be really intriguing to see the Jets have a look at him. The price tag for these two would likely be a first round pick and a prospect, although it could vary.

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