What Will the Jets Do Before The Deadline?

What players will be celebrating after the deadline? photo by Jonathan Kozub/via Getty Images

 

 Winnipeg Jets GM, Kevin Cheveldayoff was talking to Sara Orlesky from TSN between periods during the Jets/Bruins TSN broadcast and he discussed what type of player the Jets might pursue at the deadline. He said because they are tight to the cap any deal would mean a salary in and a salary out, in reality the Jets have about 4.9 mil of cap space. He said they would be interested in acquiring a middle 6 forward and with the Jets two pending UFA's, Paul Stastny and Andrew Copp coincidentally considered 2nd or 3rd liners, it sounds like he would be looking to replace one or both of them since they're depth isn't as deep as previous seasons. I think they should upgrade their "second" line with someone to replace Stastny on the Wheeler and Scheifele line.

What players could have a change of address before the end of Monday?

• Andrew Copp (forward): Copp is due to become a UFA this summer and I have doubts they will resign him. Last summer, he avoided salary arbitration by signing a one year 3.64 mil contract. He wants more money and term, but he's too rich for the Jets blood and I sense Copp is disgruntled with how he's been treated. There are definitely teams that would want to add a solid, versatile and decent scorer for a playoff run and the Jets should take any offers seriously. The other option is they lose him at the end of the season for nothing. (FYI: Copp was the interview guest between the 2nd and 3rd periods) Will he be traded? Good possibility. 7/10

• Paul Stastny (forward): The first time the Jets traded for Stastny was at the trade deadline in 2018, the year the Jets made it to the conference finals. He was a brilliant addition to upgrade the Jets offense on their playoff run. This season he is playing higher in the lineup than he should due to injuries and maybe a lack of depth. Similarly to Copp, he makes about the same amount, he's a UFA and to lose him for nothing would hurt (maybe not as much as Copp). Will he be traded? I would trade him, but...6/10

• Pierre-Luc Dubois (forward): I added Dubois to the list because he becomes a RFA at the end of the season. It's good timing that Dubois is having a very good season and has replaced as the team's top centre. He's the type of player the Jets have needed, big, skilled and has a good touch around the net. His chemistry this season with Kyle Connor has been a revelation. I believe the Jets will sign Dubois to a long term extension, at least they should. Will he be traded? Definitely not, but stranger things have happened. 2/10
• Blake Wheeler (forward): There has been an increased animosity towards Wheeler, especially earlier in the season, but he's settled in and we see flashes of vintage Wheeler every once in a while. He's the leader and heart and soul of the team, so it would take some kind of offer to deal him, but I can't a team taking on his 8.2 mil cap hit. He's under contract for two more years after this season. I'm guessing Chevy wants to keep together and build around their core (Wheeler, Scheifele, Ehlers, Morrissey, Hellebuyck, Connor, Dubois) everyone around is expendable and interchangeable. Will he be traded? Not likely, this season. 4/10

• There are other players that are RFA's after this season (Kristian Vesalainen, Evgeny Svechnikov, Adam Brooks, Jansen Harkins, Eric Comrie) and they'll probably sign a couple of them, but they won't have much value in a trade unless they were added to a deal.
• Who might they be looking to add? I read that the Jets might have interest in Dominik Kubalik from the Hawks. He could be a good add if he can get his scoring touch back. Playing in a winning environment with different linemates (Wheeler/Schifele or Lowry/Copp), this could be a good match. Other possibilities, Jake DeBrusk from the Bruins and Phil Kessel (if Arizona retains most of his salary),
  

After last night's disappointing loss to the Bruins, Chevy must be scratching his head to decide what direction to take. They aren't out of the playoff race yet, but the games are ticking down quickly. The Jets have a pretty favorable schedule in the next week or so against teams they should and have to beat. I suspect they won't be trading away players just to dump salaries/contracts and they might not want to disrupt the chemistry of this team. I honestly believe the current roster isn't good enough and they need to inject a spark of some sort. Whether it's a top 6 scorer or a 3rd line grinder, they need to stir the pot a bit with hopes to advance forward. For all we know, the Jets might not do anything at the deadline and let the current roster determine the destiny of their playoff chance. Don't hold your breath for a big trade.