“Do something!” a fan yelled and cut through the silence in the Canada Life Centre in the third period last Saturday night as the Jets fell behind the Detroit Red Wings 3-1. Shortly after, the Jets would concede two more and drop the contest to the red hot Wings 5-1. The fan seemed to capture the sentiment of the whole of Jetsland with the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners on pace for a lottery draft pick with just a few games remaining before the Olympic break.
Rumors have been circulating on what general manager Kevin "Chevy" Cheveldayoff will do. Will he start selling off pieces and call up some prospects to focus on building for next season and getting the highest draft pick possible? According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Jets front office is "focused on winning." It’s one thing to wait for the Olympic break, strategize your next set of moves, and try to find some desperate teams willing to part with more than they should. But, unfortunately, it’s simply too late for this Jets team to make a run up the standings.
After the 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, MoneyPuck has the Jets’ chances of reaching the postseason at 6.7%. Even if they go on an incredible run and make it in, they would likely earn a matchup with the Colorado Avalanche who have only lost 7 times in regulation through 51 games. The Winnipeg players wouldn't be intimidated by the Avs but the matchup would probably not bode well. In the best interests of the franchise the Jets should avoid getting into a playoff chase, falling just short, and losing out on a top 3 draft pick with the likes of Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Keaton Verhoeff available.
The wise thing to do would be to commit to selling. Being in this position was almost unfathomable at the beginning of the season, but the time has come to move some veteran pieces and call up prospects from the Manitoba Moose who will help this team get back into contention next season or showcase some future trade value. Guys like Logan Stanley, Jonathan Toews, and Cole Perfetti should draw attention before the March 6th trade deadline. Others like Luke Schenn, Gus Nyquist, and Vlad Namestnikov could sweeten the potential returns on those deals or send back some mid-to-late round draft capital.
Elias Salomonsson should be in every Jets game for the rest of the season with his potential on the blue line. Danny Zhilkin is already in the Winnipeg press box every night and Isaak Phillips has been up and down between the Jets and Moose with injuries to the defence corps. Guys like Zhilkin and Phillips should get a run of games and if they push the Jets to some late season wins, it boosts their trade value this offseason and into next year. But all the focus at this point should be on maximizing the Jets’ draft capital and preparing for next season.
It’s time for Chevy to do something. Let the sales begin.