Winnipeg Jets: 3 Reasons Why the Jets Should Trade Andrew Copp

2. The Jets Need Draft Picks

The Jets upgraded their defense this offseason acquiring Brenden Dillon from the Washington Capitals for two second-round draft picks, and Nate Schmidt from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round draft pick. Both were excellent acquisitions by Kevin Cheveldayoff who addressed the teams’ biggest weakness more significantly than he has done in the last two seasons.

The Jets also made what most experts call excellent value choices this summer in the 2021 NHL entry draft. However, the fact remains that the Jets only had four total draft choices this year, and have given up high draft picks in the next two years due to these trades.

Trading Andrew Copp for some form of draft picks as compensation would be a solution on two fronts. First, it would allow the Jets to replenish their already thin prospect pool with some high-round picks. Second, the Jets would not have to worry about absorbing any considerable salaries, as the draft picks would be on entry level contracts when they actually do make the Jets.

Given some of the recent trades for comparable players, I believe that the Jets should be able to acquire at least a second-round draft pick, and possibly a prospect for Copp. The timing is right to explore this option given the number of teams with available cap space like Ottawa, Detroit, Seattle, and Buffalo, and the teams with multiple high draft picks to deal such as Arizona, Buffalo, and Columbus.