Winnipeg Jets add Defensive Depth on Trade Deadline Day
The Winnipeg Jets were expected to make a trade today for a depth player as they look to push for the top seed in the North Division and make a deep run into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
As the day went by, up until the 3:00 p.m. eastern time deadline, Winnipeg stayed quiet. Finally, in the final minutes of the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline, it was announced that Winnipeg made an acquisition for a veteran blue line presence.
That veteran defenseman the Jets acquired is Jordie Benn from the Vancouver Canucks. In exchange, Winnipeg sent a 2021 6th round pick in the Entry Draft to Vancouver.
The Jordie Benn acquisition adds depth to the Winnipeg Jets blueline
The thirty-three defenseman comes to Winnipeg in the final year of his two-year contract. According to Cap Friendly, his contract carries an average annual value of $2,000,000 per year.
It was also listed that Benn carried a full no-trade clause in his contract. This means he must have waived it to join the Jets. The full details of the trade have yet to be disclosed including if Vancouver will retain any of Benn’s salary.
Benn arrives in Winnipeg having dressed in 31 out of 37 games with the Canucks. He scored one goal, had eight assists and nine penalty minutes with Vancouver. Before this trade, Benn led the Canucks in plus/minus with a +5 rating.
Being that Benn was traded from a Canadian franchise, there is still no update on if Benn will be required to quarantine when he arrives with the team. There is a chance we can see Benn wearing the Jets uniform as soon as Wednesday night when the Jets finish their two-game series with the Senators.
The Jets kick off their series with Ottawa tonight and you can find a preview for the game by clicking the link here.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Are you a fan of the Jordie Benn Trade? Leave your comments below!
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*All Stats Provided by the NHL*