|
Which Defenseman Should The Winnipeg Jets Trade? Mailbag Coming Soon |
|
|
|
|
|
Insert: With another mailbag coming soon, make sure to leave your questions, hypotheticals, trade possibilities, etc. in the comments! These are always fun, and the more creative we can get the better!
As we sit here, about a quarter way through the NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets are second in the Central division. Most people would look at that and say there is no need for a trade. The way I look at it, is that with a team that is rolling through some good teams, now would be a great time to let Heinola or Samberg become full-time NHLers.
As of late, with Logan Stanley injured, the Jets have been running with some arrangement of Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, Neal Pionk, Nate Schmidt and Dylan Samberg. Ville Heinola, Kyle Capobianco and Dylan DeMelo have been rotating in and out lately, but the Jets could use some consistency.
Each of these defensemen bring something to the game. None of them "shouldn't be in the NHL", but some are definitely better than others.
Lets just go through each of them, and talk about where they stand on the potential trade bait list.
Josh Morrissey, 27, LD
19GP: 4G-16A-20P, 4 more years at $6.25m
No.
Josh Morrissey is having a career year, and could earn himself consideration for the Norris Trophy if he continues this play. He is defensively stable, but is also leading the entire team in points with 20 points in 19 games.
Last year, and even during the summer, I could at least hear the argument to try and get a big haul for the borderline #1 defenseman, but now, he has solidified himself as a true #1 guy, and the Jets need him. I was never on board with the trading Morrissey talks, but I could at least understand. Now, you might be crazy to think that they should trade him, unless you think that management should blow it all up and start a Senators-like rebuild.
Brenden Dillon, 32, LD
19GP: 0G-4A-4P, 1 more year at $3.9m
The Brenden Dillon most of us know is what the Jets need, but he just hasn't been that in Winnipeg. On paper, and looking at his history, I am quite surprised it hasn't worked out the way that everyone hoped. Even looking back, I don't blame Kevin Cheveldayoff for paying two 2nd round picks for him.
I think that there would definitely be a market for a defenseman like Dillon, and I am surprised he wasn't moved over the summer. He does provide competent defense, and there aren't a ton of complaints, but he isn't where he needs to be. If the Jets could re-coup some assets than they should. He is very replaceable in the lineup, especially with some of the players they have waiting to get their spots.
Neal Pionk, 27, RD
19GP: 4G-7A-11P, 2 more years at $5.875m
A lot of people have been on board for moving Pionk. Things are very chaotic when he is on the ice, as he provides good offense, and has shown he can play good defense, but you never know what to expect when the puck is coming his way. At his best, he is a phenomenal player. At his worst, you might want him scratched. There is certainly a market for a puck-moving, right-shot defenseman.
I think the Jets could pull a good package with him, and Heinola, who we will talk about in a moment, could replace Pionks presence in the lineup. I think the idea of trading Pionk is okay. I am on the fence about it, and could be convinced either way. A team like Vancouver, Ottawa, or even Columbus could be very interested in Pionk.
Nate Schmidt, 31, RD/LD
19GP: 2G-1A-3P, 2 more years at $5.95m
If the Jets could move on from Schmidt, they should. Not that the team is super pressed for cap space, but they could certainly benefit from clearing nearly six million for this year and next. Schmidt is an excellent locker room player, and isn't bad on the ice, but like Dillon, is very replaceable.
For an offensive minded defenseman, three points is not good enough. It might cost the Jets a pick, and if they can get away with a 3rd round pick or less, they should pull the trigger on a move.
Dylan DeMelo, 29, RD
15GP: 0G-4A-4P, 1 more year at $3m
Dylan DeMelo is such an interesting case. Half of the Jets fanbase would be perfectly fine moving him, and the other half see him as untouchable. I wouldn't personally say untouchable, but I don't think the Jets should even think about trading him. He is one of the most stable defensemen on the roster, and can make any pairing better. He isn't flashy, at all, and provides next to no offense, but his shut-down abilities are very underrated.
Again, if the Jets were in a tear-down position, sure, he would fetch a good return. But where they sit now, they need him. He has sat a few games, and they have done fine, but in the big picture, he is an important piece, and compliments Josh Morrissey well.
Logan Stanley, 24, LD
5GP: 0G-0A-0P, Upcoming RFA
Logan Stanley has only suited up for five games due to injury. When he returns, he will likely get another look in the lineup, and in those five games he has looked better. His inability to use his size is the biggest issue for him, as it frustrates fans to see him lose board battles and defensive coverage when he could easily win them if he used his 6'5 frame.
I think trading Stanley would be fine, but it doesn't fix any issues.
Dylan Samberg, 23, LD
13GP: 0G-1A-1P, Upcoming RFA
Dylan Samberg deserves to be a full-time NHL player. He has looked great anywhere he is slotted in, and though he has not been part of a consistent duo, he looks good with anybody.
Trading Samberg would be a big mistake, as it looks like he will have a lengthy NHL career. If he can continue his play the way it is, he will be fine. That being said, he is only 23 and will get better the more comfortable he gets.
Ville Heinola, 21, LD
2GP: 0G-0A-0P, 1 more year at $863k
Heinola, who was just assigned to the Moose, deserves a chance. Whether that is in Winnipeg or somewhere else, he deserves it. He doesn't seem to be developing any more in the AHL, and certainly isn't developing in the press box in the NHL. The Jets have enough numbers that they could move on from his if they could get a solid return, but at the same time, the sky is the limit for him if he gets the chance.
This whole conversation about moving a defensemen starts with getting Heinola in the lineup. As I am writing this, about 30 minutes before puck drop against Chicago, he has been sent to the Moose. At least he will be playing, but I am genuinely concerned about his development. There is clearly no set plan for him, and it will come back to bite the Jets within three years.
Kyle Capobianco, 25, LD
3GP: 0G-0A-0P, 1 more year at 762k
Capobianco is...fine.
If he was one a two-way deal, he would definitely be worth keeping around. On a one-way deal, it is still fine to keep him around as the seventh defenseman. I say that with the mindset of thinking Dillon or Schmidt would not be happy with being a scratch and being a fill-in player, and not that I think Capobianco is smiling every night he sees his name set for the press box, but that is what kind of player Capobianco is at this stage in his young career.
He won't be moved to make room for Heinola to be the seventh defenseman, so for the time being, I am okay with him in the organization.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»