The Central Division became an arms race in the NHL as the Trade Deadline came and went. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars loaded up on talent to prepare themselves for a Stanley Cup run that will prove to be an absolute war coming out of their division. While these two teams made noise on the trade front, the division-leading Winnipeg Jets had a quiet deadline.
The Jets were in the market for a second-line center – something many of the playoff teams were looking to load up on. After New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (who was said to have had no interest in playing in Canada) was dealt to the Avalanche, the pickings were slim for second-line pivots on the trade market. Was Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle an authentic option? Was Scott Laughton, whom the Jets kicked tires on, of the Philadelphia Flyers anything more than a third line option? All the options were likely no better than what the Jets currently have in their middle six with Adam Lowry and Vladislav Namestnikov, which led to GM Kevin Cheveldayoff ultimately standing pat at the position.
When all was said and done, Cheveldayoff acquired winger Brandon Tanev (a familiar face) from the Seattle Kraken and defenseman Luke Schenn from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Always a careful GM, Cheveldayoff chose to add on the margins rather than take a big swing on the trade front. Given what his divisional compatriots in the Avalanche and Stars did, was it enough for Cheveldayoff’s club to remain competitive?
The short answer is probably one most of the Winnipeg faithful won’t like me for saying: no. After seeing what the Avalanche and Stars did to augment their respective rosters, I have a tough time seeing the Jets hanging with either of the aforementioned teams in hopes of coming out of the division in the Western Conference Final. But although this could be the case, was there really a deal for Cheveldayoff to make?
As I mentioned before, the Jets were in need of a second-line center. I have major reservations about how their middle of the ice will hang come this spring, but was there an objectively better option for Cheveldayoff than what he already has on his roster? Was it worth giving up major assets to bring in someone like Coyle or Laughton to be more or less of a lateral move to what they already have in Namestnikov and Lowry? I would argue no, as the Jets did not stand to particularly upgrade with either option available on the market.
On the blueline, however, I do think the Jets had an opportunity to bolster their top six ahead of a playoff run.
The experience that Schenn brings as a Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning is invaluable. I love Schenn as much as the next guy – we also can’t ignore the extra year Schenn has on his deal, as the Jets like to bring in players with term – but as a third pair defender, I question the level of impact he can truly have on the Jets’ roster.
I do like Winnipeg’s top four on the back end, but they could’ve stood to make an addition for some insurance. Would that have been a left shot to pair with Neal Pionk to bump Dylan Samberg down a peg? Perhaps a right shot to pair with the young Samberg to allow Pionk to pair with a Haydn Fleury or Logan Stanley in an effort to spread things out? I think that option could’ve been explored further.
In terms of options, Brandon Carlo (who was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs) would’ve made a lot of sense in this capacity. With two years remaining on his contract as well, his stylistic and contractual statuses would’ve made a lot of sense for Winnipeg. The Bruins pulled a big haul from the Leafs in return for the 2015 second-round selection, but this could’ve been a very solid option for the Jets to consider paying a significant price.
Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could’ve been an option, though the Flyers set a hefty price tag on him as well; it started with a first-round pick. Ristolainen, much like Carlo, has two years beyond this one left on his deal. The Flyers were willing to retain on his $5.1 million AAV (like the Bruins did with Carlo), though it would’ve come at an extra cost.
I am a bit fearful that the Jets’ blueline is far too shallow to withstand a significant injury or two and that something like that could sink them. I do like their top four when fully healthy, but as the saying goes, you can never have too many defensemen – especially ahead of a playoff run.
The Jets did elect to go the conservative route in a year where they could’ve easily justified pushing their chips into the middle, but given the major seller’s market and the lack of players to fit their needs, I understand the decision not to. You don’t want to completely empty your cupboard for a run to acquire players that don’t authentically fit your needs. The Jets needed to keep pace with the Avalanche and Stars, but only if the fits were right. Though the Jets have had a remarkable season and could’ve stood to make additions, their best course of action was exactly what Cheveldayoff did and bet on the roster that got them to this point.
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