Jacob Billington: Which Defenseman Should The Winnipeg Jets Trade?

Well it depends on where the management think the team is. Close to being a contender? Then it's likely just Dillion being shipped out. If for some reason the team falls out of the playoffs then maybe Schmidt goes too?

The jets currently have a surplus of left defenceman. In a perfect world, it would be nice if they could trade Schmidt. However, due to the fact he can play the right side, and he has a no movement clause, I don’t see him moving.

The team has been winning without Logan Stanley or Ville Heinola in the line up. Perhaps they could trade one of them for a young forward that’s either on an entry level deal or signed long term.

There is no place for Heinola on the team.....trade him while you still can.

There is no place for Heinola on the team.....trade him while you still can.
- bennythehat

Trade him and Pionk. I think Heinola still has enough value to bring in a 2nd/3rd line winger. And, I think that Pionk still has enough value to bring in the same.

Trade him and Pionk. I think Heinola still has enough value to bring in a 2nd/3rd line winger. And, I think that Pionk still has enough value to bring in the same.
- TheUltimateJet

With Pionk and DeMelo the only two right handed dmen on the roster I can’t see either of them being moved during the season.

It's amazing the Leafs somehow keep winning despite having 5 defensemen out with injuries, including several indefinitely. That all being said I imagine they are desperate for some defensive depth going forward.

Looking up and down their roster there literally isn't one Leafs's forward I would at all be interested in seeing on the Jets roster. Obviously, Matthews, Tavares, and Marner are not going to get traded so that leaves one basic tradeable asset in Nylander. .....no thanks. Once Ehlers is back in mid/late Jan a guy like Nylander would become a wasted asset.

Now if SJ really wanted to continue its tank into Bedard land (and also has lost a few D) and wants to rebuild, then say hello to Stanley or Heinola and we would be happy to welcome former Ehlers linemate Timo Meier (RFA next yr) aboard. Heinola, Appleton or Fjjalby, and a second might work....but whatever within reason it might take would be a good trade.

It's amazing the Leafs somehow keep winning despite having 5 defensemen out with injuries, including several indefinitely. That all being said I imagine they are desperate for some defensive depth going forward.

Looking up and down their roster there literally isn't one Leafs's forward I would at all be interested in seeing on the Jets roster. Obviously, Matthews, Tavares, and Marner are not going to get traded so that leaves one basic tradeable asset in Nylander. .....no thanks. Once Ehlers is back in mid/late Jan a guy like Nylander would become a wasted asset.

Now if SJ really wanted to continue its tank into Bedard land (and also has lost a few D) and wants to rebuild, then say hello to Stanley or Heinola and we would be happy to welcome former Ehlers linemate Timo Meier (RFA next yr) aboard. Heinola, Appleton or Fjjalby, and a second might work....but whatever within reason it might take would be a good trade.
- jetsnation

Meier - very very pricey.

Dream trade with San Jose:

Karlsson (at 8.5)
Meier

For

Heinola
Wheeler
2023 1st
Lucius
Add whatever you need to tbh

Going to update the top of this piece and add in a mailbag update. Leave your questions here!

Well it depends on where the management think the team is. Close to being a contender? Then it's likely just Dillion being shipped out. If for some reason the team falls out of the playoffs then maybe Schmidt goes too?
- Aaron_85

My feeling is like you say "it depends om what management thinks the team is". However I think if they feel they have a contending team, Dillon stays, Schmidt might go. The team will not mortgage the farm unless they have SC hopes.

The next couple of weeks/month should tell the tale - contender or pretender.

Should we go the contender route - players at the top of my list would be T. Meier, T. Konecny, A. Tuch, V. Olofsson, D. Kubalik, S. Reinhart (Florida with cap problems), Bo Horvat - and Jacob Chycrun - yes I know he's a LH d-man - but a very good one. I think our D needs an upgrade! Meier would be a dream cone true!

Players/prospects we might offer up - some combination of V. Heinola, L. Stanley, N. Schmidt, (maybe Pionk if Chycrun is involved), the rights to K. Vesalainen, C. Lucius, M. Appleton, J. Harkins, M. Barron, D. Gustafsson, H. Nikkanen, and our 2024 2nd.

But, as I stated at the start, let's find out first if we're a contender or pretender before any major moves!

Dream trade with San Jose:

Karlsson (at 8.5)
Meier

For

Heinola
Wheeler
2023 1st
Lucius
Add whatever you need to tbh
- Rexypoo

Sign me up for this

My feeling is like you say "it depends om what management thinks the team is". However I think if they feel they have a contending team, Dillon stays, Schmidt might go. The team will not mortgage the farm unless they have SC hopes.

The next couple of weeks/month should tell the tale - contender or pretender.

Should we go the contender route - players at the top of my list would be T. Meier, T. Konecny, A. Tuch, V. Olofsson, D. Kubalik, S. Reinhart (Florida with cap problems), Bo Horvat - and Jacob Chycrun - yes I know he's a LH d-man - but a very good one. I think our D needs an update! Meier would be a dream cone true!

Players/prospects we might offer up - some combination of V. Heinola, L. Stanley, N. Schmidt, (maybe Pionk if Chycrun is involved), the rights to K. Vesalainen, C. Lucius, M. Appleton, J. Harkins, M. Barron, D. Gustafsson, H. Nikkanen, and our 2024 2nd.

But, as I stated at the start, let's find out first if we're a contender or pretender before any major moves!
- grahamzky

Contenders make moves, pretenders do not!

Contenders make moves, pretenders do not!
- TheUltimateJet

Truer words were never spoken!

Contenders make moves, pretenders do not!
- TheUltimateJet

Pretenders and teams with Chevyseasonoff as their GM.

He won't trade any defensemen, he had a whole off-season to do it.

Dream trade with San Jose:

Karlsson (at 8.5)
Meier

For

Heinola
Wheeler
2023 1st
Lucius
Add whatever you need to tbh
- Rexypoo

This is the kind of deal that can show the fan base the Jets are serious about being contenders for the next few years especially if they get Meier on a long term term when they make the trade.
And maybe even convince PLD to sign here also.

Contenders make moves, pretenders do not!
- TheUltimateJet

S. Reinhart would be on my wanted list. So would J. Toews ( faceoffs, leadership) , Timo, Meier, and Troy Terry. All come from teams who are struggling. Debrincat is also an RFA at the season's end.

Some might argue Tuch or Atkinson. I'm not so sure about the grit level there. Maybe ?

S. Reinhart would be on my wanted list. So would J. Toews ( faceoffs, leadership) , Timo, Meier, and Troy Terry. All come from teams who are struggling. Debrincat is also an RFA at the season's end.

Some might argue Tuch or Atkinson. I'm not so sure about the grit level there. Maybe ?
- jetsnation

Besides others mentioned, Terry and Debrincat would be great additions. Do you think they would be available?

Besides others mentioned, Terry and Debrincat would be great additions. Do you think they would be available?
- grahamzky

Doubtful really, b/c they are part of the future for their respective teams. However, when your trading young talent like Heinola and maybe a draft pick for another team's young talent then maybe there is a deal to be had.

Great game! Wheeler has always been a slow starter, not saying he has found the fountain of youth but sure is good to get him going and contributing, which can get him in the happy zone after being stripped of captaincy

I like what bones is doing so far.

Where did 2.0 go? I used to enjoy his posts and think he should come back!!

Great game! Wheeler has always been a slow starter, not saying he has found the fountain of youth but sure is good to get him going and contributing, which can get him in the happy zone after being stripped of captaincy

I like what bones is doing so far.
- Old Flopper

10 points for that new line. Hard to argue after seeing them together the last two games.

Solid effort for the Jets last night. The end result never really seemed to be in doubt. It begs the age-old question of " if it ain't broke then why fix it ". Watching the third and fourth line work so hard game after game and then bringing some new guy in on a trade isn't always great for locker-room chemistry so there will be some delicate intricacies to any trade.

I certainly don't think guys like Toews or Meier would be looked on negatively but there are others I would question. Certainly, a guy like Nylander might be frowned upon by the Jet's locker room.

Jets are contenders in this year's NHL. It is time to go all-in!

Future is never promised, and this is the year to load up. I think the Jets should go hard after Karlsson and Meir. Trade away Heinola, Lucius, Stanley and whatever else to get them.

The incredible thing about the Jets this year is how much the penalty kill has improved. It's also incredible to see how badly the Panthers penalty kill has become. I wonder why that is the case. Jets consistently finished in the bottom 10 for PK under Maurice. This year they are top 10. Coaching has made a difference.

WOW. Kris Letang just has a stroke !!!

Certainly, we all cheer for him on his road to recovery!

As for the Pens , that a guy who chews up 24 minutes of ice time per game and a key guy on the PP. Another team who suddenly needs defensive help.

Jets are contenders in this year's NHL. It is time to go all-in!

Future is never promised, and this is the year to load up. I think the Jets should go hard after Karlsson and Meir. Trade away Heinola, Lucius, Stanley and whatever else to get them.

The incredible thing about the Jets this year is how much the penalty kill has improved. It's also incredible to see how badly the Panthers penalty kill has become. I wonder why that is the case. Jets consistently finished in the bottom 10 for PK under Maurice. This year they are top 10. Coaching has made a difference.
- TheUltimateJet

And you know what irks my pile?....... is that PoMo had to "quit" to force the mgmt to do something. Apparently PoMo tried to quit the summer ahead of his last year and Chevy convinced him to stay. So, when someone comes to quit, and they know their time is over, and should have been over 1 to 2 years prior, and mgmt says, Oh pls stay, I will make a few trades yada, yada, then you know mgmt is clueless.

I like PoMo but his respect for older players and his Don Cherry style of "not embarrassing the competition in a game like last nite" has no place in todays NHL. Maybe it did in the 80's or 90's, but not in the fast paced NHL of today.

You have to have these players playing the same whether they are up 5 goals or down five goals. Pedal to metal for 60. I like PoMo, but he is a dinosaur.