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Long time Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tobias Enstrom has agreed to waive his No Movement Clause to allow the Jets to not protect him ahead of the NHL’s Expansion Draft on Wednesday. This report comes after both parties agreed that nothing would be said.
Word is Tobias Enstrom has done WIN a huge favour, agreed to waive his NMC to help the Jets with the expansion draft.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 17, 2017
This will be a major loss for the Jets if he is taken. While he struggled this year offensively, he was still able to suppress shots and help drive play. It could be that he simply wants a fresh start elsewhere, but it does leave the Jets without a top-four defenceman and a veteran leader.
This moves should solidify both Tyler Myers and Mathieu Perreault as protected players. Hopefully Myers stays healthy for all of the upcoming season as he has missed time over the past two year with hip injuries.
This move also means that the Jets probably should be looking for free-agent defencemen this off-season as it is highly likely Enstrom will be lost in the move.
Update: Enstrom’s agent confirms the report and further states Enstrom would like to remain a Jet beyond the expansion draft. Seems like he is helping them protect Myers.
Statement from Kalle Boden -- agent for Enstrom, who just confirmed the player did waive pic.twitter.com/b6YzV0zDYy
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 17, 2017