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Jets Trade Deadline Crystal Ball

March 27, 2013, 11:16 AM ET [29 Comments]
Peter Tessier
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With four games remaining before the trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets are now in a slightly different position compared to if they had lost last night. The win had a bit of everything including two strange goals where one would normally expect to see those bounces going against the Jets not for them.

The situation for the team now, should they keep this spread on 8th place and second in the SE division of 6 points, is one of buying vs selling at the deadline. The complication comes with the market in this situation and should the Jets feel confident enough in their position the day could be very busy for the Chevy and Zinger.

Buying

If the Jets want to shore up the team in hopes of winning a round or two they have to address needs on the bottom 7 forwards. Size, grit and most importantly skills are the primary needs as I see them. A player like Paul Gaustad (not suggesting he is available) or even Steve Ott (who may be available) are possible wants for the team.

What is the cost for filling holes with solutions that are not short-term? Simply put- does Chevy want to rent players? I doubt it and that is why any shopping spree should, and probably will, be looked at as longer-term investments. It means the price may be higher and available options a bit smaller.

The other factor affecting the buyer is that what you have to sell may not be what your trading partner is looking for. Take Steve Ott (example only) should Buffalo be willing to move him do they want the expendable Hainsey or Antropov? Probably not but to fit Ott in Chevy has to make room as well.

As mentioned earlier should Chevy be in a buying state of mind he is going to be busy. He might need to sell elsewhere and hopefully to teams he may not have to face down the stretch or in the post season should the Jets make it. After that he may be swapping some of his return for the pieces he wants to buy. I won't be surprised to hear the term "it's complicated" should deals be discussed.


Selling

It's an easier strategy and decision to make, at least for armchair GMs. Even if the playoff hunt is full-on, the strategic decision of player personnel retention has been made by now and Chevy and Zinger are out to maximize return.

Take Ron Hainsey- rumoured to be going to one of 15 teams he can designate due to his contract. Is it better to offer Ron a two year deal now or trade him to a team and perhaps take a defenseman like Keith Ballard back, one with two years left on his contract? Remember, Ballard has been playing forward lately and could be a better bottom 6 forward on the Jets than some now. Once again, Ballard is an example not necessarily the best option.

The point is that if the Jets are going to sell, their position in the standings will influence the decision to some degree. The overall direction of the team for the short and long-term will influence these deal much more though.

Buying and Selling

It would appear this is the most likely scenario, at least in my view. Should the Jets get 5 points or more out of the remaining 4 games I suspect Chevy will be busy because he will not want to risk losing assets for nothing. He cannot leave the roster bare and hope to squeeze in to the top eight so Chevy has to get something back in any series of transactions.

Sell over here and buy over there. With more than a few draft picks to play with the Jets could add a few more and have a fair bit of currency now, or later on this off-season.

Variables

Once again the other variable is Jacob Trouba. If this kid should make the decision to go pro and believes he is ready to play NHL hockey, this week got a whole lot more complicated for the Jets. If he is part of the team come next week does he make a few guys expendable? That's a big gamble on a 19 year old kid who has never played an NHL game.

If Trouba is a Jet by the end of the weekend as some have proposed as a possibility what does that do to the blue line?

Buff Enstrom
Bogo Trouba
Clitsome Meech, Postma...

Hainsey???

Is the playoff race, first for the franchise, the best time to insert a rookie 19 year-old NCAA star into the roster? That's a tough call. I'm glad it's not mine.


Wish list

Physical right wing- I mentioned Justin Williams yesterday, anyone else?

Second line centre- Are any available? Chances seem slim to none at the deadline

Third line centre- a Steve Ott would be fantastic IMO

Depth defenseman- yeah Ballard again, but that's longer term thinking and if Hainsey goes

Depth Forwards- Tangradi is not the answer


The fact is there is no way Chevy is going to fill that many holes at the deadline and should he try I'd be very surprised. I'd look at a situation where he makes a move to relieve himself of 1-2 expiring deals and uses what he can get to acquire one key asset. Logic and scouting point to the Kings but what they are talking about remains a mystery and the name Justin Williams is only a guess.

The Jets are far from a complete team and no one should think the management doesn't see that. However, should the Jets make moves expect them to be in the vein of what Mike Gillis did when he acquired Lapierre and Higgins. They will be pieces that fit for the future as well as right now.

The fun part of this deadline is we may finally get a glimpse into what TNSE and Chevy think the future will look like if we're lucky.
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