Jets 2015 Trade Deadline: Jets on the Trading Block

As we approach the trade deadline, talk and rumours escalate. The Winnipeg Jets for the most part are looking to the future, but are not in a rebuild. This places the Jets in the position of not being major sellers, nor major buyers.

However, Kevin Cheveldayoff has always been open in saying that if given the chance to accelerate the process, he will.

Are there any Jets on the trading block? What other assets do the Jets have?

Burmistrov has already been reported as a potential trading chip. The twenty-three year-old centre has been rumoured wanting to return to the NHL, Jets or otherwise. As a 20 and 21 year-old, Burmistrov struggled in putting up points, but provided excellent value in being one of the Jets best Corsi players and an elite penalty killers. If NHL Equivalencies in points per game are to be trusted, Burmistrov’s point production ability has improved -as expected given his age- with an expected NHL point per game production similar or just under that of Michael Frolik.

As a player who performed poorly in production but highly in shot metrics, Burmistrov’s trade value likely undersells him. If there are any issues with the room however, it may be wise for Chevy to get what he can with Burmistrov. It would be difficult to see a cost-controlled RFA asset go for a rental, but may be worth it if the return could be for the longterm.

Postma is arguably the Jets fifth best healthy defender on the team. While there is a sharp cliff after Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tobias Enstrom, and Tyler Myers, Postma has performed superiorly to the lower-end fodder like Mark Stuart, Jay Harrison, and company. Still, Postma sits in the pressbox. The issue may be that three of the four ahead of him are right handed shots like young defender. It may be that Postma does not provide any penalty killing value and the Jets are full of power play performers. Whatever the reason, the twenty-six year-old has not been playing and may provide more value to another team than he does to the Jets.

Kevin Cheveldayoff and Craig Heisinger have been known to say a playoff team requires 10 or more NHL capable defenders due to injury coverage. For that reason the Jets may not move Postma. However, as a young and more-than-capable right hand shot, there may be some out there wanting to pay for the player.

The Jets are not tanking or rebuilding, so neither of these players will likely be sold just as rentals for picks. However, there is always the chance of a move like Chevy performed with Johnny Oduya. If Chevaldayoff feels like either of the players are unlikely to extend with Winnipeg and he feels as though he can replace them through other means (another trade or the waiver wire), then Chevy may pull the trigger.

With the Jets forward depth as shallow as it currently stands due to injuries, the probability of such a move is unlikely. Still there may be a contending team adamant over one the two and willing to overpay somewhat. Frolik historically influences shot-metrics in a positive manner and scores like a second line player. Stafford’s impact and defensive acumen is not as strong as Frolik but he scores reasonably enough as a middle six piece.

Unless the payment is overkill, the Jets will keep their top prospects as untouchables. These are the creme of the crop players like Nikolaj Ehlers, Nic Petan, Josh Morrissey, Eric Comrie, and Connor Hellebuyck. The rest however are likely fair game if Cheveldayoff believes the move speeds up the Jets process in arriving at their destination.

Managements comments in regards to Andrew Copp and the recent acquisition of Brendan Lemieux and Joel Armia make these prospects less likely for Cheveldayoff to let go. Scott Kosmachuk, JC Lipon, Axel Blomqvist, Chase De Leo, C.J. Franklin, and Jimmy Lodge are all B-prospects that given the right price could be part of a package. On the defensive end there is only Brendan Kichton, Tucker Poolman, and Jan Kostalek who carry any value.

Picks are not really “on the trading block” since picks are moved like liquid capital in NHL trades. The two first round picks probably opens up the possibility of using a second and/or third round pick in getting some talent. Again, the discussion is similar to the prospects. Chevy covets futures greatly, but is willing to separate them for a team looking more for the future, if the return better fits the Jets timeline.