Why Winnipeg Jets Fans May Want to Root for NY Rangers vs. Carolina
Tonight is game five of a closely contested Eastern Conference semifinal series between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. With both teams having two wins under their belts, it is in essence a best-of-three series from here on out.
You may be wondering why a Winnipeg Jets fansite is writing an article about the Rangers and Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoff series.
The reason why is Jets supporters may have a particular rooting interest for the Rangers. That is because the Jets will benefit if the Rangers win this series.
As part of the Andrew Copp trade, the Winnipeg Jets will receive the Rangers’ 2022 First Round Pick if the Rangers get past the Hurricanes
When the Jets and Rangers made a deal at the 2022 trade deadline that sent Copp to the Big Apple, the teams included some draft picks in the deal.
One of the draft selections included was the Rangers’ 2022 second-round draft choice, but this pick was conditional.
The conditions of this pick were that if New York won their first two playoff series and Copp played in fifty percent of the games then instead of Winnipeg receiving the Blueshirts’ second-round selection, they would get their first-round pick instead. If these conditions were not met, then the Jets would just obtain the Rangers’ second-round pick.
Out of the two conditions for the pick to elevate to the opening round of the draft, one has already been met. Copp has played in all of the Rangers’ playoff games and has played a significant role in their success as he has five goals, five assists, and a plus-four plus/minus in eleven games.
Therefore, all the Jets need to obtain the Rangers’ first-rounder is for the Rangers to win this series over the Hurricanes.
If this happens it would be the first time since the 2016 draft that the Jets will have two first-round selections. During that draft, the Jets selected Patrik Laine second overall and Logan Stanley eighteenth overall.
This could also afford Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets front office an extra asset to use for a potential pre-draft trade.
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Out of all of the current 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff series, the Winnipeg Jets have the biggest stake in the series between New York and Carolina. There is a great reason for Winnipeg supporters to want the Rangers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals because it will give the Jets two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Which team do you predict is going to win the Rangers/Hurricanes series? Leave your comments below!
