NHL Rumors: Two Jets Forwards Becoming Trade Candidates
A team that entered the year trying to extend a competitive window now looks stuck in neutral, and that’s turning a few veteran contracts into talking points around the league.
Two names, in particular, are beginning to surface in quiet trade chatter: Gustav Nyquist and Jonathan Toews. Neither was signed with the intention of being moved, but the way this season has unfolded has changed the math.
Nyquist was brought in as a low-risk, short-term bet on offense and experience. It hasn’t worked. Through 25 games, he has just seven assists and no goals, and his role has steadily shrunk. He’s been scratched, pushed down the lineup, and rarely looks like a driver of play. At 36, he’s not the all-around winger he once was, but his resume still matters.
He’s a proven playoff performer, a capable passer, and someone contenders trust in structured systems. The fact he’s on a one-year, $3.25 million deal with no trade protection makes him an easy piece to move if the Jets decide to pivot. The return won’t mirror what Nashville once fetched for him, but there would be interest.
"If you're worried that you can't attract future Tanner Pearson's or future Gustav Nyquist's... that's a pretty interesting hill to sort of die on in my eyes." - @mikemcintyrewpg discussed the #NHLJets potentially being reluctant to waive players for "optics" reasons. pic.twitter.com/m81xPoqhn3
— Winnipeg Sports Talk (@SportsTalkWPG) December 19, 2025
Toews is a more complicated conversation. His return to Winnipeg was built on optimism, his leadership, a homecoming, and the hope that he could still handle meaningful minutes down the middle. Instead, he’s struggled to keep pace. Through 34 games, he has nine points, a minus-13 rating, and has slid all the way to the fourth line, occasionally even shifting to the wing. It’s the lowest production of his career, and it’s been impossible to ignore.
The Jets understood there was risk in signing a 37-year-old who hadn’t played in two seasons. What they didn’t expect was how quickly the fit would unravel. Toews still brings leadership and experience, but the on-ice impact just hasn’t been there, and his contract structure complicates things further with bonuses tied to games played. He also holds a no-move clause, meaning any trade would require his approval.
Time flies when you're having fun 🤩
— NHL (@NHL) December 18, 2025
Congrats on 1,100 career NHL games, Jonathan Toews! pic.twitter.com/Iwsm7ASeZ0
Given the emotional weight of returning home, it’s unlikely he pushes for a move unless the season truly slips away. Still, if Winnipeg finds itself out of the race, it wouldn’t be shocking to see both sides at least talk through options.
The Jets have gone from a strong start to looking slow, disjointed, and thin beyond their top core. If management comes to the conclusion that a turnaround isn’t coming, moving veteran contracts for flexibility and future assets starts to make sense.
The Jets are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games, and are currently sitting five points out of the second wild card spot (held by the San Jose Sharks).
Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
