Jets Reportedly Looking At Rangers and Flyers Defenseman As Trade Deadline Acquisition

The Fourth Period released its trade watch list, mentioning the Winnipeg Jets as a possible suitor for multiple defensemen.

The Fourth Period released its trade watch list, mentioning the Winnipeg Jets as a possible suitor for multiple defensemen.

The Jets have a plethora of NHL-calibre defensemen on their roster but are looking to improve their defence core by adding veterans with playoff experience. They have recently been linked to Anaheim Ducks defender Brian Dumoulin and now seem to be interested in others.

The Fourth Period reported that the Jets could be interested in New York Rangers' Ryan Lindgren and Philadelphia Flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen. 

Currently, the Jets are the only team linked to Lindgren but as the trade deadline approaches and the Rangers make their stance on their future clearer, more teams will likely approach them in an attempt to make a deal. Lindgren (26) is on an expiring contract and will become a UFA at the end of the season. 

The Flyers aren't all that sold on moving Ristolainen, similar to last season due to his contract having multiple years left. The Flyers are still in the race for the final wild-card spot but their chances of making the playoffs are slimmer than most of their competitors. The Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks are some of the other teams who have been linked to the Flyers' blue liner. 

Ristolainen is older than Lindgren; 30 years old, but plays a more physical game than Lindgren due to his 6'4, 208 lbs frame. His cap hit is $5.1M compared to Lindgren's $4.5M. 

Lindgren and Dumoulin both have playoff experience compared to Ristolainen who has never played a playoff game before. What he does have over both of them is that he is right-handed and could help sure up the Jets' third pairing on the right side. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Winnipeg Jets site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.