The Winnipeg Jets were looking to acquire some defensive depth at the trade deadline. Names like David Savard, Mike Reilly, Josh Manson, and Nikita Zadorov had been bandied about as Jets targets. None of them, however, ended up in Winnipeg colors. To be honest, I don’t mind that either. Reilly was probably the defender I had the most interest in, but Boston beat Winnipeg to the punch.
The Jets have instead acquired Jordie Benn for a 2021 6th round pick. The ex-Vancouver defender is a penalty kill specialist with pretty poor performance at even-strength. That said, Benn’s been playing with Tyler Myers a lot. Away from Myers, Benn’s results are a lot less eye-watering. If he can push Tucker Poolman down the line-up and help rebalance the D pairings, the Jets are already better. It’d also be nice for him to get the bulk of the PK shifts, rather than Morrissey or Poolman. It’s not a tremendous upgrade, but it’ll do.
