As Columbus locks down a dependable two-way veteran, the Jets face a dwindling market. Missing out on the versatile playmaker could force a pivot toward aggressive draft-day trades.
The Winnipeg Jets suffered a setback in their offseason pursuit of center depth on Tuesday as Charlie Coyle came off the market, agreeing to a six-year extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets at a cap hit of $6 million per season.
Winnipeg has identified depth at the center position as one of their most pressing needs this summer, losing out on one of the better options available is a notable blow to their offseason plans.
Coyle had quietly emerged as one of the more appealing names available for a team like the Jets. The 34-year-old from Weymouth, Massachusetts is not a flashy signing, but he is exactly the kind of dependable, two-way center that contending teams covet. This past season he put up 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points, nearly matching the 60-point mark he has now flirted with twice in the last three seasons.
For Winnipeg, that needs someone capable of driving a middle-six line without leaning on Scheifele, that kind of reliability is hard to replace. What made Coyle particularly attractive was that his game does not begin and end with offense.
Back in 2022-23 with the Boston Bruins, he finished the season with a plus-29 rating, tied for ninth in the entire league. Winnipeg has long valued players who can contribute on both sides of the puck, and Coyle checked that box cleanly.
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