Can Chevy work his magic once again?

The annual game of chicken is about to hit a crescendo for Kevin Cheveldayoff and the rest of the NHL general managers who wish to get involved in the annual swap meet.

The Winnipeg Jets enter the weekend atop the standings and are now less than week away from next Friday’s trade deadline. Continuity has been a major theme for a team that has already rattled off winning streaks of eight, seven and 11 games before the arrival of the final quarter of the NHL season.

How might that alter Cheveldayoff’s approach during the coming days?

The Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday before heading out on the road for a four-game trip, so while the work behind the scenes continues in earnest, decisions are on the horizon.

There’s been plenty of discussion and debate surrounding which way Cheveldayoff and company will go when it comes to roster augmentation.

DUMP & CHASE

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

While it’s clear the Jets have a good thing going when it comes to chemistry and cohesion, trying to win four rounds and 16 games during the Stanley Cup playoffs is a battle of attrition and at the very least, adding depth and talent would be welcome.

Whether it’s a big swing, bolstering the depth around the edges or somewhere in the middle, history has shown Cheveldayoff has made a habit of trying to improve his roster when the team looks like a contender.

Before we dive into some of the names that could be on the Jets’ wish list, one other subject that should be prominent is about whether or not players will be interested in coming to Winnipeg, whether they have trade protection or not. If you look at recent years, things have tended to work out pretty well for rental players that were acquired at the deadline.

Paul Stastny is often pointed to as the most impactful deadline acquisition in the 2018 playoff run for the Jets and there’s no denying his fit on the second line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine. He delivered the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Nashville Predators in the second round and finished with six goals and 15 points in 17 playoff outings.

The Jets narrowly missed keeping Stastny in the fold and he earned a three-year deal worth US$19.50 million with Vegas.

Sean Monahan was a great fit for the Jets last spring, even if he wasn’t as productive in the post-season. The Jets were interested in re-upping Monahan as well, but he ended up with a lucrative five-year deal worth US$27.5 million with Columbus.

Kevin Hayes didn’t have the same success as Stastny or Monahan, but that didn’t prevent him from signing a seven-year deal worth US$50 million with Philadelphia. Even Tyler Toffoli, who didn’t work out as planned either, inked a four-year deal with the San Jose Sharks worth US$24 million.

So, if you’re an agent looking to help raise the value of a client who needs a new contract, joining the Jets for several months could end up being quite profitable.

Back to the issue at hand, which is trying to decipher which way the Jets might lean when it comes to acquisitions.

KEN SAYS: Last season, after the Jets picked up Monahan, it looked like the organization was going to prioritize a defenceman — with former Manitoba Moose blue-liner Chris Tanev looking like a top target before he ended up going to the Dallas Stars.

With Cole Perfetti in the midst of an offensive funk that ultimately reached 23 games without a goal (and two assists during that span), the Jets chose to pivot and traded for Toffoli before adding Colin Miller to essentially be the seventh D-man.

Not taking a bigger swing on D ending up being a misstep, especially after Brenden Dillon was injured at the end of Game 3.

How do things compare right now?

Perfetti is playing some of the most consistent hockey of his career and is currently sixth in team scoring. There are no concerns about needing to replace him when the games get tougher.

Vladislav Namestnikov has done an admirable job of handling the second-line centre role and could continue to do so, but the Jets would become an even more dangerous team if they acquired someone to do that job and move the versatile Namestnikov down to the third or fourth line.

Adding a middle-six forward who could provide complementary scoring is an item on the to-do list, but the priority would be to upgrade the defence.

That doesn’t necessarily mean bringing in a top-four guy, but rather adding someone who can help the third pairing while also having the ability to move up the depth chart if necessary. Penalty-killing prowess and championship pedigree would be a bonus.

MIKE SAYS: I find myself at a bit of a crossroads when it comes to what I think the Jets should do.

On one hand, the championship window may never be more open than it is right now and they have ample cap space to weaponize. Go big or go home, right? Names such as Mikko Rantanen, Elias Pettersson, Dylan Cozens, Brock Nelson, Alex Tuch and Brayden Schenn, among others, are floating out there and would fit the bill up front. Same with Colton Parayko and Seth Jones on the blueline.

Jeff Roberson / The Associated Press files
The addition of Colton Parayko would bring a big, tough presence to the Jets blue line. — Jeff Roberson / The Associated Press files

The addition of Colton Parayko would bring a big, tough presence to the Jets blue line.

On the other hand, I think there’s merit to the idea of not messing too much with the chemistry of a talented and tight-knit group — one that has accumulated some calluses from recent playoff wounds of the last few years and seems eager to try to right the previous wrongs. I recently did a deep dive into the last 10 Cup winners and found the majority didn’t take home run swings at the deadline, instead opting for mostly solid singles. Less is often more, it would appear.

It’s a little easier to discuss what parts of an already solid foundation could use a bit of shoring up. I think a big, strong, physical defenceman (who is also mobile) is key. The Jets could use some more muscle, and the way the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators threw the body around against Winnipeg this week suggests that’s an area opponents may try to exploit especially in a playoff series.

Up front, you can never have enough secondary scoring, so a skater or two who could chip in while also helping with penalty killing and faceoffs would be welcome.

Winnipeg Jets trade deadline primer

Current cap space: $9,872,292

Projected cap space: $11,517,674

Draft capital:

2025: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7

2026: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Twelve intriguing candidates

D Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

Age: 31

59GP, 14G, 19A, 33P, 8PIM, 23:57TOI

Contract status: US$6.5 million AAV through 2029-30 with a full no-trade clause

The skinny: This would be a home run. He could slide in beside Team Canada 4 Nations partner Josh Morrissey on the top pair and give Winnipeg incredible depth at D. Imagine the Dylan’s — Samberg and DeMelo — as the second pair, with Neal Pionk on the third. Checks off every box: Big, mobile, mean, can help the PP and PK, championship pedigree. A perfect fit.

D Brandon Carlo, Boston Bruins

Age: 28

59GP, 1G, 8A, 9P, 22PIM, 18:41TOI

Contract status: US$4.1 million AAV through 2026-27 , has a modified no-trade clause

The skinny: A defence-first defender, Carlo would bring size (6-5, 220 pounds) and tenacity to a back end looking for more of it. Carlo has recorded 100-plus hits in five of his eight previous NHL seasons. He’s playing for an organization that prides itself on the winning culture it has built, but with the team looking for a bit of a reset, the term on his deal makes him very appealing for a team like the Jets.

D Jamie Oleksiak, Seattle Kraken

Age: 32

60GP, 4G, 9A, 13P, 14PIM, 19:01TOI

Contract status: US$4.6 million AAV through 2025-26.

The skinny: The Jets have coveted this player in the past and there remains big interest. The 6-7, 252-pound left-shot from Toronto needs a fresh start and would represent a big upgrade in a third pairing role and help with the PK.

D Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers

Age: 30

57GP, 4G, 15A, 19P, 12PIM, 20:31TOI

Contract status: US$5.1 million AAV through 2027-28.

The skinny: Like Oleksiak, someone the Jets have had previous interest and it helps that the eighth-round pick from 2013 is a right-shot signed for two more years. His offence has trended down in recent years, but he appears to have discovered his strong defensive game this year.

D Luke Schenn, Nashville Predators

Age: 35

58GP, 1G, 4A, 5P, 41PIM, 15:30TOI

Contract status: US$2.75 million AAV through 2025-26.

The skinny: Schenn checks a lot of boxes. He would upgrade the right side and bring a physical presence. He also has the ability to block shots and keep the front of the net clear and won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Can take on a heavier load if necessary, much like he did when playing nearly 18 minutes against the Jets on Thursday when Roman Josi was out due to injury.

D Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks

Age: 26

60GP, 5G, 6A, 11P, 32PIM, 20:52TOI

Contract status: US$3.25 million AAV through 2025-26.

The skinny: A hard-nosed blue-liner who brings some additional puck-moving ability. His willingness to compete and battle was on display on Monday when the Sharks were in Winnipeg. He’s emerged as a leader with the Sharks and could benefit from a change of scenery. Similar to when Tyler Myers arrived from the Buffalo Sabres after enduring a lot of losing, Ferraro would likely feel rejuvenated by joining a contender. He’s been leaned on heavily, with nearly 64 per cent of his shifts starting in the defensive zone.

LW Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

Age: 36

60GP, 21G, 26A, 47P, 62PIM

Contract status: US$6.125 million with modified no-trade clause (eight team no-trade list), pending UFA

The skinny: The captain of the Bruins has made it known he prefers to stay put and an extension is still possible, but perhaps the organization chooses to move him for assets and Marchand returns to Beantown in the summer as a UFA. This would represent a big swing for the Jets and Marchand showed recently at the 4 Nations Face-Off that he’s still able to elevate his game when the stakes are high. He’s ultra-competitive, productive and knows how to win.

C Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators

Age: 34

55GP, 14G, 21A, 35P, 11PIM, 18:53TOI

Contract status: US$4.5 million AAV through 2026-27.

The skinny: A prime candidate for the 2C role, O’Reilly is a Selke Trophy winner for his defensive awareness and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 when the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup. He’s incredibly smart, outstanding in the faceoff circle, does the little things right, goes to the hard areas and can be used in all situations. This would be a home run like acquiring Stastny was — perhaps more so because he has term left on his deal.

RW Oliver Bjorkstrand, Seattle Kraken

Age: 29

59GP, 15G, 20A, 35P, 14PIM, 15:27TOI

Contract status: US$5.4 million AAV through 2025-26.

The skinny: This one is intriguing for a couple reasons. He’s got a ton of skill and would be a nice fit in the middle six of the lineup, especially as a right-shot. He’s also a good friend of Nikolaj Ehlers and signed for another year.

F Yanni Gourde, Seattle Kraken

Age: 33

35GP, 6G, 10A, 16P, 36PIM, 15:34TOI

Contract status: US$5.167 million, pending UFA

The skinny: Being on long-term injured-reserve complicates any deal for Gourde, as it’s unclear whether he will return to action before the playoffs arrive. He’s a Stanley Cup champion from his time with the Lightning and he’s the type of versatile player that has been able to thrive with the Jets. He can play centre or wing and comfortably move up and down the lineup. A dogged penalty killer who plays incredibly hard and has shown the ability to deliver in big moments.

LW Brandon Tanev, Seattle Kraken

Age: 33

58GP, 9G, 8A, 17P, 8PIM, 14:02TOI

Contract status: US$3.5 million, pending UFA

The skinny: We’ve come to the reunion part of our list. A fan favourite from his previous stint here, Tanev brings speed and grit and energy and physicality while eating pucks for breakfast. He’d also bring back some serious 2018 playoff vibes which can’t hurt, right?

RW Joel Armia, Montreal Canadiens

Age: 31

59GP, 10G, 14A, 24P, 16PIM, 14:38TOI

Contract status: US$3.4 million, pending UFA

The skinny: Similar to Tanev, he would be a huge help on the PK and is a known commodity to the organization, which previously acquired him from Buffalo in the Evander Kane trade nearly a decade ago.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @wiebesworld

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg

Ken Wiebe
Reporter

Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer.