Jets fans should be happy about Gustafsson signing his entry level deal with the Winnipeg Jets. While not a dazzling offensive player he has a skillset that given the right amount of time and development could lead him to be another one of Kevin Cheveldayoff's fine depth role players. Some have suggested that a best case scenario could see him reach a 2C level. Getting him over to play in the NA pro leagues is smart and the sooner the better 6'1" 194lb centre, so he can learn the nuances of this game.

Given the possible amount of turnover coming on the Jets adding more of their picks to the development system on the Moose is a good thing. But with these deals done the harder work becomes more prominent for Chevy.

It's no secret that Jacob Trouba is being moved. You've heard it hear for months and yesterday's piece by Craig Custance all but said a trade is happening. It's a good recap of the scenario and the interesting part of it was he had been able to talk to the three key players in this saga, Trouba, Cheveldayoff and Overheart, Trouba's agent. He even got some fun anonymous quotes too.

The good news is that nothing seems built around animosity between anyone and it appears that there is open dialogue which speaks volumes to the severity of the situation. Think of it this way if there was a real pissing match between the parties the Trouba camp could absolutely screw the Jets over if they could get a rival team to sign him to an offer sheet.

Yes that's hard to do but imagine if a team signed Trouba to a 1 year 8.3 million deal? The compensation is 1st round pick, 1 2nd and 1 3rd round pick. At that point the Jets would either have to match or accept the the compensation. If they matched they cannot trade Trouba and he would be a UFA at the end of the deal. Again, he could not be traded at the trade deadline. For reference a player can sign an offer sheet starting July 1st.

I suspect this deal comes soon and perhaps with Florida but it won't be easy. Chevy wants a ton and he should, but teams are not giving up much until they know Trouba can be signed. The dance continues.

It's funny how no one talks about Kyle Connor or Patrik Laine with deals. It's like they are forgotten. With Eberle's deal today a 5.5 million a year does that help smooth out the market for winger's after what Skinner received from Buffalo?

Take a look at some raw numbers here from last season

CF%

Eberle 49.21
Connor 48.46
Laine 45.09

RelCF

Eberle 2.33
Connor -0.69
Laine -5.29

xGF%

Eberle 50.49
Connor 46.93
Laine 41

The one thing to consider is both Connor and Laine produce points/60 at a much bigger rate and we know salary is still largely influenced by point production.

Remember those reports that had the Jets talking to Tyler Myers about staying? Did they come out of Vancouver because you can't seem to hear the name Canucks without Myers being near it.

What about Tanev? Again nothing on the speedy depth winger. Remember he's a depth winger who hit gold with having Copp and Lowry, the perfect compliment to his game. He deserves to get what he can but manage expectations, caveat emptor.

Finally the Copp and Roslovic pair. One is RFA the other is under deal and allegedly asked for a trade or didn't. If he asked to be moved off the fourth line as his former agents has tried to attest, where the hell was he going to play? It was a trade request and I suspect he might be part of a deal that involves Trouba to help sweeten it for a bigger return. Now is Roslovic a sell low scenario?

Get Copp signed please- he needs a bigger role. This one should hopefully be one of the easy moves, it can happen soon please.

I don't even want to discuss trading Ehlers. Let's not go there because if the logic that's being used is his contract is so good then it's so good for the Jets and some one better be overpaying for him, and by a lot.

So which move happens first? Trouba? RFA deals?

I suspect that Trouba if he goes might involve a first round pick to Winnipeg and it happens at the draft. The situation is a team that wanted a certain player can't draft him (player drafted earlier) and that pick is sent to Winnipeg as they do not have a first. There would have to be more and that's where deals get bigger but I suspect it happens then.

I will be at the draft this year as media so let me know if there's anything you want to know, hear, or find out about. Leaving on Wednesday!

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