2024-01-17 13:55:00
The first-overall Winnipeg Jets are reportedly looking for a center and some more depth on the blue line as the March 8 trade deadline draws closer.
TSN insider Darren Dreger notes the Jets are looking for an “affordable solution” as the team looks to improve its roster.
“It’s hard to criticize a team that’s near the top of the National Hockey League, but every club has its wish list. So if you’re Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets, maybe you’re looking at adding a center,” Dreger said Tuesday on the show Insider Trading. “The center market hasn’t been fully revealed yet, and it probably will be closer to the trade deadline, but if there’s an opportunity, and if it’s affordable, then yes, the Jets will seek to do something in this direction. They would also like to add a depth defender. This is what all the competing teams want.
“But in the meantime, they got Kyle Connor back and they can’t wait to see the chemistry develop between Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. »
Last week, only two centers appeared on TSN’s list of most attractive players on the market: Sean Monahan of the Montreal Canadiens, who was third, and Anaheim Ducks veteran Adam Henrique, at 19th. Both forwards could become unrestricted free agents this summer, with Monahan earning an average annual salary of $1.985 million and Henrique earning $5.825 million.
The Jets bounced back Tuesday with a 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders, three days after the Philadelphia Flyers ended Winnipeg’s 14-game series with at least one point. Connor, who had been sidelined since Dec. 10, scored a goal in his return against the Islanders, getting 19:03 of ice time.
Winnipeg is on track to reach the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons and will attempt to advance past the second round for the first time since 2018.
The Jets are expected to have $5.4M of room under the salary cap at the deadline, according to CapFriendly.
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#NHL #Jets #depth #center #defenseman