The Winnipeg Jets have been exceeding expectations so far this year. They are piling up points at a remarkable rate, but there is always reason for improvement and the Winnipeg Jets have one obvious hole in their roster.
The Jets need an upgrade at third line right wing.
Who Can the Jets Acquire?
Media types have begun thrown the Winnipeg Jets around as possible buyers at the trade deadline, particularly for a bottom six forward. TSN.ca Analytics writer Travis Yost was on TSN 1290 radio and he suggested two players for the Jets third line wing. Yost named Florida Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim and Ottawa Senators forward Erik Condra as two relatively cheap targets.
Bergenheim is someone that has been under-utilized by the Panthers. Bergenheim has 16 points in 33 games, but he has also been healthy scratched. It isn't unreasonable to believe that the Jets could scoop Bergenheim for something like a 4th or 5th round pick. That is also a price the Jets would most likely be willing to pay. Bergenheim has the speed and scoring touch to fill out the Jets top nine.
Condra would also fit nicely on the Jets third line, but for a different purpose. Condra would provide the Jets with a nice defensive element. Placing Condra on a line with Evander Kane and Adam Lowry would make for a nice tough minutes trio. Condra should be rather cheap to acquire as well.
Bleacher Reports’ Lyle Richardson released an article where he stated each NHL team’s best trade asset. The Jets seemed to be deemed a potential landing spot for every forward. Some interesting names were brought up in this article as well. Players like Emerson Etem of the Anaheim Ducks and Loui Eriksson of the Boston Bruins were mentioned, but those guys would most likely demand a asking price that is out of Cheveldayoff’s range. Players like Eric Cole of the Dallas Stars and Curtis Glencross of the Calgary Flames were also linked to the Jets. Cole and Glencross are certainly not the caliber of players that you could acquire for a late round draft pick. The question is, would Cheveldayoff do a deal that was more valuable than a mid to late round draft pick.
The Jets do have have a couple defenseman in Paul Postma and Adam Pardy that could possibly be packaged with a late round draft pick to acquire a third line right winger. With the Jets becoming healthier on the back end, Pardy and Postma are left in the shadows. Each player could attract a team for different reason. Pardy presents a team with a large framed and a physical defenseman that could help a team seeking depth. While Postma presents a young offensive defenseman that has shown flashes of improvement throughout the season. Combining one of the two with the draft pick may return a little more.
Hey, What About Carl Klingberg?
Remember him? When is this guy going to get a legit chance to make his mark? Klingberg has all the tools to succeed at the NHL level, but for reasons unknown to many he has taken a backseat to guys like Chris Thorburn, Anthony Peluso and Matt Halischuk. Klingberg has good size with his 6’3 205 lbs frame and the skating to get around defenseman. Consistency is an issue for him but he has never had an opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level. Klingberg on a line with Adam Lowry and Evander Kane could be a good look for the Jets and is definitely something they should certainly consider.
Acquiring a third line right winger is the main need for the Jets, but they could also be looking for some quality fourth line players.
Another person who appears to ( somehow) gauge interest around the league is Chris Thorburn and I'm sure not many people would be disappointed if he were to be moved.
lots of #nhljets fans don’t see value in Chris Thorburn. Lots of people employed by NHL teams, however, do. Putting out what I’m hearing
— gary lawless (@garylawless) December 16, 2014
The Jets have the assets to make a variety of deals. Will Chevy gamble the farm and transition in to "win now" mode? Unlikely? Will he swing someone like Paul Postma, Adam Pardy, a late round draft pick for a bottom six forward? Possible.
