During the Olympic break many local beat writers, pundits and fans have put their heads together on the Twitter machine hoping to solve the most important question heading into the NHL's final stretch:
Will the Winnipeg Jets‘ be buyers or sellers?
There is a faction of observers who have pointed to Winnipeg's 29-26-6 record — one which has them on the cusp of the Western Conference playoffs — and consternate that the Jets' need to buy a ticket to the post-season.
Opponents to this notion have mentioned that this roster as constructed won't be able to support its own weight in the playoffs — deadline additions or not. This clique believes in a slow and steady approach where patience is a virtue.
But which tactic will General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff take come Wednesday? Here in lies your answer.
Cheveldayoff, by all accounts, is a shrewd and savvy GM. Trading a second round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft for the services of Devin Setoguchi are about as bold as he gets.
Here are a list of transactions that he has made at each of past two years:
Trade Deadline 2012 (Record: 30-26-8, 8th in Eastern Conference)
- placed Antti Miettinen (F) on waivers
- claimed Grant Clitsome (D) off waivers from Columbus Blue Jackets
- traded Johnny Oduya (D) to Chicago Blackhawks for 2013 2nd and 3rd round picks
Trade Deadline 2013 (Record: 18-18-2, 3rd in Eastern Conference)
- claimed Mike Santorelli (F) off waivers
Full Deadline Coverage
Full Deadline Coverage
But if the Jets' are to make a big splash as opposed to a moderate ripple at this year's trade table, it will likely come before the clock hits midnight on Wednesday morning.
In 2013 that number increased slightly to fourteen, but again featured very few players of value. Factor in that most teams looking to buy will have to do so with under $3MM in available cap space and you have the ingredients for what likely could be another slow Trade Deadline.