The Winnipeg Jets were busy at the 2022 trade deadline making deals that addressed some future goals as well as some that addressed some immediate needs.
At this year’s trade deadline, Winnipeg Jets General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made some expected moves, such as trading pending UFA Andrew Copp, who was unlikely to re-sign with the Jets. He also added players that will be able to step into the current roster such as former Jet Mason Appleton from the Seattle Kraken and bottom six forward Zach Sanford from the Ottawa Senators.
Long time Jets fan favorite Bryan Little’s LTIR contract was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for salary cap relief along with Jets prospect Nathan Smith who advised the club that he would not be signing with them when he becomes a UFA this summer.
The Jets also made a variety of moves for the future and present. Kieran Hurley has a great analysis of all the Jets’ deadline moves here.
#NHLJets trade deadline:
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) March 21, 2022
5 separate transactions involving 7 players, 7 picks.
Added 3 players (Appleton, Sanford, Barron), 4 picks (2022 2nd, 2022 OR 2023 2nd, 2022 7th, 2023 5th)
Deleted 4 players (Copp, Little, Beaulieu, Smith), 3 picks (2022 5th, 2023 4th, 2023 6th)#wfp
Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke about his trade deadline moves here.
The Jets currently sit four points out of the final wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference with only 19 games remaining. It would take an incredible winning streak for the club to make the postseason.
Given that the chances of doing so are slim, here are three thoughts on the post-trade deadline Winnipeg Jets.
3. Kevin Cheveldayoff is giving the current roster support
When Kevin Cheveldayoff acquired veteran defensemen Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon this past summer it was a message to Jets core players like Blake Wheeler, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, and Kyle Connor that he was committed to adding to a team that most thought would be able to compete for a Stanley Cup.
Last season the Jets defense was exposed as the team’s weak link, and the hope was that these acquisitions would be the remedy. Unfortunately, this season has not gone as well as the team and fans had hoped.
The Jets currently sit four points outside of a wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. While many predicted Cheveldayoff would be a seller at the trade deadline, his moves today show that he has committed to supporting this roster during the final push to make the playoffs.
Cheveldayoff did what was required by getting back future assets for high demand pending UFA Andrew Copp. He also declined to move pending UFA Paul Stastny clearly indicating in his press conference that he is a key piece of the Jets’ current roster and needed in order to try for the final wild card playoff spot.
By game time Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jets look to have two new bottom six forwards in the line up who Cheveldayoff hopes will offset the loss of Copp, and enhance the team’s chances to make the playoffs.