NHL Trade Rumors: Jets Have Huge Decision To Make Soon
The stretch of ugly results and thin scoring behind the top names has forced Kevin Cheveldayoff into a decision that cannot wait much longer. If this group cannot find goals soon, the Jets either have to add help and chase the season, or start flipping expiring pieces before the market passes them by.
The Jets are currently dead last in the league with a 15-18-4 record (34 points). The next closest team is the Vancouver Canucks with 35 points.
That being said, there still is not much seperation between teams as we near the midway part of the season. The Jets are only seven points out of the second wild card spot, which the San Jose Sharks currently hold with a 19-17-3 record (41 points).
Winnipeg Jets trade deadline decision is closing fast
The case for buying is simple. This roster is not getting blown out every night, and the margins are tight enough to believe a real scorer could change the vibe.
The problem is cost.
The Jets have already moved a lot of draft capital in recent years, and finding a legit top six forward at this time of year usually means paying a premium. That's why the looming Olympic break is being framed as the last checkpoint.
If Winnipeg is still buried near the bottom by then, the “stay the course” message will really start sounding like a team in denial.
Jets trade targets if they decide to sell
If the Jets pivot to selling, they have options that do not require a total teardown. Veterans like Nino Niederreiter, Alex Iafallo, and Luke Schenn fit the exact deadline profile contenders want, and Winnipeg’s cap space gives them another angle.
They can retain money, absorb money, or act as a third party to make bigger deals work, which is how you squeeze out extra picks. That's the real leverage here. The Jets do not have to wave a white flag to get paid like a serious seller, and with pending UFAs also in the mix, Cheveldayoff can start restocking without pretending the current skid is fine.
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