While the Jets were busy dismantling the Atlantic division leading Tampa Bay Lightning, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was working the phones. The Jets secured Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, a 2027 second round pick, and a 2026 fourth round pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley (50% retained). The pair of defencemen were scratched just before game time for roster management purposes, meaning Isaak Phillips and Ville Heinola were in the lineup against the Lightning. Let's take a look at what the Jets are bringing in and what the trade means moving forward.
Isak Rosen has top 6 upside
The Stokcholm, Sweden native was drafted 14th overall by the Sabres in 2021. So far, he's played 31 games for Buffalo and scored three goals with eight total points. Rosen is in the final year of his entry-level contract with a cap hit of $894K - he will be a restricted free agent this year. You have to think Chevy was talking about an extension with Rosen as the trade negotiations were taking place. The Sabres' farm system is somewhere in the middle of the pack in the National Hockey League, but Rosen was near the top of the list. He's had an impressive career in the American Hockey League so far and is second on the Rochester Americans with 43 points through 37 games. He led the team in the previous two campaigns with 55 points in 61 regular season games in 24-25 and 50 in 67 through 23-24.
Considered the Sabres' fourth best prospect coming into the year, he has a lot of upside with his game. Primarily a winger, he can slot in at center if needed. Rosen is a menace in the neutral zone, creating turnovers and generating a lot of transition play. He's good at creating space and has a quality finish. With the Americans Rosen had a lot of time on the power play and tends to look for high-low opportunities, collecting the puck at the blue line and slipping down into the danger areas. At 6'0" and 180lbs. Rosen isn't going to wear defenders down with his physicality but has the speed and agility to get around them. Chevy should look to give him an extended opportunity at the NHL level with the team still looking up the standings and Rosen's contract negotiations sure to start soon.
Jacob Bryson will compete for a third pair spot
Drafted in the 4th round by Buffalo in 2017, the 28 year old defenceman has played six seasons in the NHL (289 games total) and seven in the Sabres' system. This year he's been in a third-pair role and appeared in 35 games for Buffalo. A left-shot defenceman, he'll have stiff competition with the likes of Josh Morrissey and Dylan Samberg locking up the first two pairs. Bryson will be in the mix for the third pair with Haydn Fleury, Isaak Phillips, and Ville Heinola also eyeing the left shot role. Of those four, only Fleury and Phillips have a contract beyond this year with the Jets. Bryson brings plenty of NHL experience, but lacks the height at 5'9" that the other three have, all over 6'0". Chevy likely won't retain all four unless he can convince two of them to take a primary role with the Manitoba Moose.
Jets get a little younger and some draft picks back
Overall, this was a good move for the Jets. Not one that will vault them back into contention next season or generate a lot of national headlines, but one that puts them in a better position in the coming years. Luke Schenn is nearing the end of his career and it was really starting to show. Logan Stanley is having an impressive year offensively, but it's more of an anomaly than something to be replicated moving forward. While Stanley especially has been a good servant to the club, the two needed to go. If Rosen can continue his development and get a look with the Jets, he could turn into a valuable contributor on a contending team. The draft picks are always a gamble but they're assets that can help the future of the Jets more than Stanley and Schenn.
Despite the trade, Winnipeg still has 10 players with deals expiring this year so Chevy has plenty of work to do ahead of him. Keep an eye on Jets White Out for the latest updates.