The Winnipeg Jets can comfortably say they are contenders and definitely in the playoffs, no matter what Blake Wheeler says. They will be buyers at the deadline. If the Jets make any moves at the deadline, what needs should they try to meet?
As noted above, the Jets think they need a gritty forward. However, they have an abundance of forwards already and would probably do better to balance out the grit that they have with the young skill that has been present for most of the year. Would the Jets be better with an Andrew Shaw-like player or with Jack Roslovic? The answer is Roslovic. He is cheaper and he has a much higher ceiling. If the Jets want to make making the playoffs and contending a long-term plan, they focus more on developing players in the NHL even if there might be some short-term pain in the playoffs.
As for the other need of a defenceman? That is extremely accurate. The Jets currently have Ben Chiarot playing on his off-side every night while Tucker Poolman sits in the press box. While Chiarot is fine as a seventh or eighth defenceman, he is not an everyday NHLers and Poolman has clearly not earned the trust of the Jets coaching staff. The Jets need an inexpensive, veteran NHL defeceman who can play both sides and move up as needed.
The Jets are a well constructed team and do not have much they have to do at the trade deadline. If they elected to sit this one out, it would be understandable. However, it would make sense if they decided to trade for a veteran defenceman to use in case of injury. If they decide to target a forward as well, that is their right and maybe it will help a lot.
