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Thoughts on the Jets / Blue Jackets trade?

January 23, 2021, 2:32 PM ET [26 Comments]
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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the blockbuster trade between Winnipeg and Columbus.

Todd Cordell

I think both teams did fairly well considering the hands they were dealt. I’m not sure there is a loser here. I will say I think the Winnipeg Jets are the winners, though.

I know Patrik Laine is one of the best goal scorers in the league. I know players with that ability come few and far between. But, realistically speaking, he doesn’t bring much to the table outside of that. He doesn’t drive play. He is not good defensively. He isn’t an ace penalty drawer. He isn’t even that productive at 5v5. That’s all fine – he is still a very good player – but it really eats into his value.

Evolving-Hockey.com has him worth 10.3 Goals Above Replacement over the last two seasons. 7.9 of that came from his power play offense; his even-strength value is quite modest.

Pierre-Luc Dubois is a much different story. He doesn’t bring a ton to the power play, but he does everything else extremely well. He is very efficient at 5v5. He does drive play. He’s a much better defensive player and his penalty impacts are better. As a result of all the aspects of the game he contributes to, his total GAR (+22) is more than double over the last two years.

Laine is miles better on the PP – unsurprising, given his shot – and lags behind everywhere else.

Jack Roslovic is a nice throw-in – he has some upside – but he really hasn’t shown much at this point in his career.

I think the Jets landed the best overall player and he plays the more important position. He’s also under contract for an additional year, and will be much cheaper in 2021-22.

Again, Columbus did well considering the circumstances; very rarely do you trade an excellent player and actually get one back. But I like the Jets’ end a little better here.

Sean Maloughney

I think both teams get exactly what they want out of this deal but I would give the edge in this deal to Columbus.

Patrik Laine is an elite scorer with two 30+ goal and one 40+ goal season under his belt as a 22 year old. Dubois is a strong two way centre who was still able to produce good numbers on a usually stingy Blue Jackets team. In a one for one trade I think I would still give the Blue Jackets the edge despite it being a centre for a winger.

Where the trade goes lopsided for me is the addition of Jack Roslovic. The 23 year old has been building on an early career, last season posting 29 points in 71 games. Roslovic was an RFA still looking for a deal with Winnipeg. The Columbus native returns home in this trade. It was clear that the Jets were struggling to sign the forward and just another example of a disgruntled player who does not want to be in Winnipeg.

Dubois should be a great add for the Jets but his attitude on the ice and sub par play rubs me the wrong way. Laine despite his desires still played a strong game in Winnipeg. Dubois wanted to go to a big market and he certainly has found that in Winnipeg.

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