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Should the Jets acquire a 1st round pick for 2018?

June 17, 2018, 11:14 AM ET [104 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
If you look at the depth of the Winnipeg Jets most fans would feel confident that the pipeline of talent is good and that there is more to come up to the big team. In theory there is but theories are just that, not reality and many things can affect the outcome of the best laid plans.

One thing to remember is that draft picks are like lottery tickets. You will win something but it does not mean that what you win will be of measurable value over time. Take the Jets and their draft pipeline, with Sami Niku likely moving up or at least getting a shot, who else remains as a top prospect for defense- Samberg then Stanley? Take the forwards as prospects and what role does Nic Petan have with this club? Now consider that Appelton and Spacek and Lemieux are all trying to make impact as well and only Appleton seems to be producing points at a rate that gives confidence to future performance.

This year the Jets have 6 picks in seven rounds with an extra pick (from Boston) in the 5th round while having no first 1st round or 4th round pick. For a team that will still have to live by draft and develop the Jets took a calculated risk this year (which paid off well) and dealt picks for assets even shot term ones. Now the tougher question comes, can they get back picks should they choose to?

Part of this question is tied to the salary cap crunch that looms for the Jets and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. He must stick handle through the various contracts and while he will have a plan, agents and players do not always agree with plans of employers.

By now Chevy should 'know' a few things:

1. The salary range and term asked by Jacob Trouba and where he can get to with a final deal
2. If Kyle Connor will take a bridge deal
3. If Patrik Laine wants to extend this off-season
4. Josh Morrissey's ask (like Trouba) and a possible bridge deal
5. Poolman, Lowry, Tanev, Armia, Dano, Morrow and Petan's desires with contracts


As has been stated here and across the internet and media outlets there is a way to do this all but it comes with risk and a steep price. The belief by many is just because 'it' can be done does not mean 'it' should be done, that a natural selection of change to the roster is important and perhaps necessary.

Here's where the draft becomes important- the Jets have the ability to trade away some of their salary problems and regain prospects for the pipeline while not damaging their roster in a harmful way. Again, there is risk to this direction but to the topic- should the Jets acquire a first round pick?

Or

Should they consider acquiring more in rounds two or three as a way of moving out salary and contracts and bringing in more on the pipeline?

Here's the possible trade list without prioritizing or ranking the players in any way.

Myers
Little
DAno
Petan
Tanev
Armia
Morrow

Add in players that will be asked for but likely not available such as:

Perreault
Connor
Copp
Lowry

It's quite the shopping list should anyone choose to use it or look at it. That does not mean anything happens as much as it means there are possibilities.

One thing to consider with trades for draft picks is that you are taking a known entity and getting lottery ticket for it- that's not always smart business sense. That being said if a team can draft well and develop better then the upside is there but at a different time interval. So what should Chevy do, take the risk or play it safe?
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