Peter Tessier: Who could the Jets target as a UFA FWD Taking a look at UFA forwards the Jets might look at based on what they have done in the past.

Don't sign any UFA forwards. The only one I can accept is Gagner, provided he can re-learn how to play Center. MAYBE Bonino, but he's terrible in his own end.

WPGs recruitment issues will likely not make them onto the list for any of these guys. Someone will pay them top dollar and also offer them better weather.

I'd absolutely sign one of Sharpe, Williams or Iginla to a one year deal. I think the better route for adding foward depth is by trade though.

Derek Stepan, Nick Holden and Ryan Graves from Rangers for Trouba!!

Derek Stepan, Nick Holden and Ryan Graves from Rangers for Trouba!!
- junaka3

I'm not overly aware on Graves and Holden, what can you tell me! And why are rangers fans motivated to move Stepan?

One of the problems with any of these columns that mentions the expansion draft is Pete always assumes that Perreault is protected. I still don't think that is a for sure. If we were to lose Lowry, then maybe a UFA is needed, a centre who can kill penalties. If Perreault is lost, maybe a Petan, Roslovic or Connor takes his place.

If we do lose Lowry, I don't think Petan is a 3rd line centre. I'm honestly not sure what he is. Copp could be a 3C, but then we need a 4th line C. I don't think a offensive minded 1st or 2nd year player is an ideal 4C. This would be where a UFA comes in.

Versteeg went basically all offseason without signing last summer and made under a mil. He's the perfect target to overpay a bit (say 2 yrs at 2-2.5 mil per) and still be effective on any line for the Jets

Perreault is not exposed for any reason. You don't expose top line forwards on cheap deals.

Perreault is not exposed for any reason. You don't expose top line forwards on cheap deals.
- Rexypoo

You do when the "top line" forward has never made it through a full NHL season healthy and you have younger, cheaper options

mcjags

Perreault is definitely older and more expensive than Connor, Petan, and Dano, BUT he's also waaaaaaaaay better at literally all the things. They can't plug the hole 85 leaves behind.

Pete, I can't argue with any of the 4 names you listed but you need a big C like Hanzal who can kill penalties and muck it up on the third line but also has the experience and skill to slide into the top 6 if Schiefele or Little goes down. Injuries happen and this club is one of the thinnest up the middle.

mcjags

Perreault is definitely older and more expensive than Connor, Petan, and Dano, BUT he's also waaaaaaaaay better at literally all the things. They can't plug the hole 85 leaves behind.
- Rexypoo

But they end up having to plug it a minimum of 10 games a season anyway. My point is more around protecting someone who has never played more than 71 games in an NHL season the last 5 seasons. We're basically paying him 4.5 Million to play 75-85% of the games.

I don't think he's a bad player, he just can't get through a whole season.

Not really a free agent, but I would love to see the Jets get the franchise leader in almost every statistical category to return to the team - Ilya Kovalchuk

mcjags

The point being missed here is that whether they go the 8/1 or the 7/3/1, Perreault is the 4th forward. Lowry is an elite 4C entering his prime (replaceable), Armia is another high end 4th liner entering his prime (replaceable), and Dano is a top 9 forward whom may one day pass Perreault, but hasn't yet. Then there's Copp, the jack of all trades.

Not really a free agent, but I would love to see the Jets get the franchise leader in almost every statistical category to return to the team - Ilya Kovalchuk
- TheUltimateJet

You've got a better chance at signing Teemu

If the Jets do sign a forward stalberg is a player who can skate with size,and play up and down the lineup! But wouldn't it be better to see if trouba could possibly get you a winger and a dman package?or trade trouba for a forward( duchene? ) then sign a dman? Just spit balling but the Jets also have a great pool of prospects to dig into if needed ,I'm sure the avalanche would be listening to trouba offers! Maybe even packaged for Landy! Lanni and Landy on the same line! Jesus! scary

I'm not overly aware on Graves and Holden, what can you tell me! And why are rangers fans motivated to move Stepan?
- Ross77

Stepan has a no trade clause that kicks in next season. Has a 6.5 million cap hit for next 4 years. Rangers have forward depth and big need on defense. We are also over loaded on left d compared to right side. Graves is prospect on AHL team. Holden left d with one year left on contract. Can also play right side

I wish we'd sign Trouba...but if we can't...then go after Shattenkirk and Hanzel as the D replaces Trouba and Hanzel is a big strong C.

Whatever it takes...get r done!

Jets should steer clear of Hanzal to the degree that they're actually going on the opposite direction. He's big, yes, but also slow and injury prone. He's at the age where it will only get worse too, as his production will start to drop.

with Nashville making the finals, that leaves only four teams to never have made the Stanly Cup finals. Winnipeg/Arizona, Atlanta/Winnipeg, Columbus, and Minny. Look at us go with 2/4!!! funny and sad