Winnipeg Jets: Top Three Needs Going Into NHL Trade Deadline

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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) /

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.

WINNIPEG, MB – OCTOBER 14: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Carolina Hurricanes plays the puck along the boards as Jacob Trouba #8 of the Winnipeg Jets gives chase during third period action at the Bell MTS Place on October 14, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Canes 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Bottom Six Veteran Forward

With players like Brendan Lemieux and Jack Roslovic’s play improving rapidly, this need is currently up for debate. It could go one way or another. Although Roslovic isn’t on the fourth line just because of Ehlers’ injury, he has proven himself worthy of more ice time. Brendan Lemieux and Andrew Copp are on the rise as well. The Jets have a decision on whether trading for another depth player is really necessary or not.

I think this is a deal which needs to be done for two reasons. The first, if we start accumulating injuries the season could very well end up cutting short in the playoffs. Reason number two, if that solid play was just a fluke, we need some backup.

Some of the top available players to fit this role are Michael Ferland, Brian Boyle, Jakub Silfverberg, Kevin Hayes, Charlie Coyle, and Andreas Johnsson.

Michael Ferland would be a prime example of a solid veteran to bolster our bottom six, but Carolina has a whopping 1st round pick as a price tag set on him. He has 27 points in 43 games.

A cheaper choice would be someone like Washington’s Andre Burakovsky. Burakovsky has really struggled this year in Washington, being a healthy scratch numerous times. He’ll be an RFA at the end of the year, so he could be someone to take a chance on for this season, and sign for next season.

WINNIPEG, MB – OCTOBER 18: Alexander Edler #23 of the Vancouver Canucks and Blake Wheeler #26 of the Winnipeg Jets pose with members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the ceremonial puck drop prior to NHL action at the Bell MTS Place on October 18, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Bottom Four Veteran Defenceman

The Winnipeg Jets always seem to find themselves missing defensemen. We often have a bruised an battered blueline, and there’s a good chance the Jets front office could make a move to help get guys who have experience, rather than being forced to call up Moose players deep in a playoff run.

As of now, we are without former All-Star Dustin Byfuglien. Big Buff has been sidelined a few times this year and there’s probably a good chance he goes down again. Chevy will have to make moves accordingly.

The different options for d-men are Alex Edler, Nathan Beaulieu, Adam McQuaid, Jay Bouwmeester, Justin Faulk, and possibly Cody Ceci.

Next. Why Brendan Lemieux and Jack Roslovic Deserve More Ice Time. dark

Niklas Kronwall was once sounding like a possible preference, but that has changed. He informed the Red Wings management that he’s happy playing hockey in Detroit and would like to stay. He has a modified, 10 team no trade clause.

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