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What the Tarasenko and Horvat Trades Mean for the Winnipeg Jets

February 10, 2023, 11:48 AM ET [86 Comments]
Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Winnipeg Jets' window for contention is wide open right now, and with some fantastic seasons out of their stars, it is still clear that Kevin Cheveldayoff would be wise to make a move to add to the group.

With the trade deadline coming quick, there are a few deals that have already set a precedent.

Bo Horvat was traded for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a Top-12 protected first round pick. Beauvillier is a valuable middle-six, 25 year old winger. He has shown lots of promise, but hasn't been able to thrive in the Islanders system, and I think a swap to Vancouver will allow him to elevate his game. Raty was the Islanders top prospect, and while he isn't quite a blue-chip guy, he does have quite a bit of value.

Vladimir Tarasenko, 50% retained, along with Niko Mikkola, was traded to the New York Rangers for the later of their two first round picks, Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner and a third round pick. The first round pick will likely be in the mid-late 20's, Blais has had significant struggles only producing 5 points in 40 games, and Skinner is a defensive prospect playing in the ECHL, and looks like a long-shot to make an NHL impact.

With the market set the way it has been, the Jets should be all-in on a couple of names.

Timo Meier is an upcoming RFA, and having a similar season to Horvat. Over the last three years, Meier has been a better player than Horvat, and again, has RFA eligibility, so the price is going to be higher for him. If a deal was going to be worked out, the baseline starts with a first round pick, a top prospect and another valuable prospect or young roster player. Winnipeg can definitely do the first round pick, they have Rutger McGroarty, Brad Lambert and Chaz Lucius to dangle as a top prospect, and a plethora of other assets to throw in to make the value work. They can easily make this kind of deal, setting themselves up for future success with the young star in Meier, but also keep lots of their developing prospects.

Another interesting piece they could look at is Brock Boeser. A comparable trade may look like when Ottawa sent Evgeni Dadonov to Vegas for Nick Holden and a third round pick. I think Boeser might fetch just a bit more, potentially a return of Morgan Barron and a third round pick, but it would be in that ballpark.

If they decide that they want to target a center, there are plenty of other low-cost options on the market too. Jonathan Toews might make the most sense, as he is from Winnipeg, wants to go to a contender, and could slide in very nice on the third line where he doesn't have to be the star of the show. The rumoured price has been said to be a second out third round pick. The Jets don't have a second round pick this year, but they could stir up something interesting if they make a blockbuster deal for both Toews and Max Domi, likely costing them a first round pick and Ville Heinola, which would incentivize the Blackhawks to retain salary to make the deal work.

On defense, there is no shortage of options either. The Jets would need to move one of their current defensemen to make room to add, but whether you want to look at Jakob Chychrun, Shayne Gostisbehere, or a depth guy like Luke Schenn. There is a bit of everything around. With all of the assets mentioned above, they would have no struggles getting a package together to add any of these players.

Some other names worth mentioning that are likely on the move that could fit well with the Jets:

Ryan O'Reilly, Ivan Barbashev, James van Reimsdyk, John Klingberg, Vladislav Gaavrikov and more..

Other than goaltending, the Jets can afford to look at an upgrade at pretty well every position.

Let me know who you think the Jets should target, and what you would like to see the return look like.
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