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Expansion Draft: Jets Version, how it went down. |
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The shock across the Twitter was phenomenal when it was announced that Chris Thorburn was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights. There was no leak, no hint, no rumour, and obviously no one saw it coming.
Chris Thorburn is a UFA forward and may or may not sign with the Golden Knights.
So why did this happen?
First as the night wore on word leaked that Enstrom was told he would be protected by the Jets should he waive his NMC. In that case a deal with the Golden Knight had to be made but was the deal simply a later pick to not take Enstrom? That was the thinking and that Marko Dano was expendable.
What ended up happening was that the Jets swapped picks with the Golden Knights, (first round) who had acquired the 24th overall pick from Columbus. In this case the Jets now pick 24th overall and give the VGK a 2019 3rd round pick. The VGK now have the 6th and 13th overall picks in the 2017 NHL entry draft.
So in the end the Jets lost no one they wanted to keep. The kept Dano, they kept Enstrom and they let Chris Thorburn go out on a high note, being wanted and remembered for something more than his fists and toughness.
Now the issue becomes this: is this enough given the opportunity the expansion draft presented?
Some will say 'no' and others will say 'yes' because they don't see a big problem dropping 11 spots in the draft. Now, once we see what player is available and taken at spot #13 there will be time to judge but only based on the moment, the career of that player is yet to be determined.
With it all being over, the worrying proved to be futile for most Jets fans and observers. That does not mean this team does not have challenges and holes and it's now time, after Friday night to see how Cheveldayoff plans to fix and fill them.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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