NHL Trade Deadline: Why The Winnipeg Jets Should Not Swing Big
Teams are already making big swings in the lead-up to the NHL trade deadline. The Winnipeg Jets must resist the temptation to join that list.
Mark Scheifele (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)
The Jets are a Stanley Cup contender that is about as dangerous as they can be with the lineup they have right now. There's been some talk about acquiring another skilled forward, but other than making a depth addition here or there, Winnipeg’s best move is to leave well-enough alone and stand pat when it comes to its core.
The Jets had a hiccup last week with losses to the Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers. But before that, Winnipeg was the hottest team in the NHL, posting 11-straight victories, including 10 in regulation time or overtime. That’s the group we’re talking about when we suggest Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff needs to keep the lineup more or less intact.
Some said Winnipeg should be pushing to acquire a star like Carolina’s Mikko Rantanen if the Hurricanes can’t get his signature on a contract extension. But the price Carolina would ask for Rantanen is likely too rich for most teams, the Jets included.
Winnipeg already has the Western Conference’s best offense in goals-for per game. They have the fewest goals against per game in the NHL. They also have the league's best power-play success rate. Why tempt fate and risk messing with the chemistry the Jets have?
Some might also say the Jets need to keep up with trades in a Central Division that’s seen the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild make recent additions. That’s not enough of a reason for the Jets to start making major roster moves. Winnipeg leads the Central by eight points and the NHL by four points – if anything, teams are just trying to catch up to the Jets.
Help on the depth forward lines or third defense pairing might be all Winnipeg wants. No team should turn down depth additions, as they give you the injury insurance every organization needs in advance of what they hope is a deep post-season run.
It might not be the sexy move for Winnipeg to limit its trade action to a minor deal or two, but it could be the right decision. Sticking with the lineup that has thrived more than any other NHL team makes the most sense for the Jets.
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