After the Winnipeg Jets pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres, a trade that sent Zach Bogosian and Evander Kane and Jason Kasdorf to Buffalo in exchange for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux and a first round draft pick, Kevin Cheveldayoff must continue to push forward.
Jets fans are begging for a trade that will benefit the team on their quest for the playoffs and one must assume Kevin Cheveldayoff is on the same page. TSN's talking heads have suggested that Chevy is looking to add a top nine forward, but they wont' mortgage the future to accomplish that. The Jets are currently carrying nine defensemen. This can create problems. There is no room to carry extra forwards, this problem has been exacerbated by sub par play in the bottom six.
Factor in the recent news of Mathieu Perreault being out for about 6-7 weeks and an already thin Winnipeg Jets forward core becomes thinner. Playoff hope have taken a hit. Acquiring a player that could slot into the Jets top nine would be a big boost and could perhaps be done via trade without giving up a first round pick, a top prospect or any other major assets.
Here are three Winnipeg Jets Trade Targets..
Winnik’s name has been flying trough trade rumors – along with almost every member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Jets have been linked to Winnik for some time. After failing to sign him in the offseason, they can still get their man if they meet Toronto’s trade demands.
According to TSN's Pierre Lebrun, the Leafs asking price for Winnik is a second and a third-round pick or a second round pick and a prospect. Is he worth it? Would Jets' General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff part with those kind of assets for a bottom six forward? It probably depends how badly the Jets want to win this season. Though it is unlikely the Jets would part with a prospect for a rental, they could be willing to give up a second and third round pick. They acquired a second first round pick in the Buffalo blockbuster, so giving up a second would not be a shattering move. Winnik would be a nice fit in the Jets bottom six.
Winnik is a versatile forward that brings a good defensive component to his game.
While the Florida Panthers are in search of a depth defenceman, the Jets need help to plug the holes up front. The two teams could address each others needs in a trade. The Jets have defencesmen Paul Postma, Adam Pardy and Jay Harrison sitting in the press box, while the Panthers have Sean Bergenheim in and out of the lineup. The 31 year old forward has seen his name circulate in trade rumors for quite some time.
Bergenheim is a good skater and all around winger. He loves to shoot the puck and he has good possession stats. He could be slotted in the Jets' top six or top nine and he'd probably fit quite well.
Calvert would be a very smart pickup for the Winnipeg Jets, for a variety of reasons. The Brandon, Manitoba native posses a variety of skills that make him quite attractive. Calvert can kill penalties, score goals, go in the dirty areas to provide offence and he possesses some strong hockey sense.
Calvert would also come as more than a rental for the Jets. He will be a RFA at the end of the season and he could be fit for the long term.Calvert is also the youngest of this bunch and at 25 years of age he still has time to grow his game. According to Gary Lawless of the WInnipeg Free Press, the asking price for Matt Calvert is a second round pick along with a prospect or a depth forward. Chevy may hesitate to give up a prospect, but he’d probably jump if he could send a second round pick and someone like TJ Galiardi to the Blue Jackets. If he goes the prospect route, there might be some more thought involved.
Calvert could be a good invest for the Jets for their playoff push, and for the long run.
While the Jets continue with their draft and develop model, they are going to have to face a harsh reality that they can't keep every prospect. If it takes a prospect or two to get one of these players, they might have to do it. The Jets will increase their playoff odds if they make the necessary trades.
The Jets needed a top nine forward before Mathieu Perreault was injured, with one more man down, the need becomes bigger. The ball is in your court, Chevy.
