Report: Jets looking to move extra defender to make room for Nicks

Bob McKenzie reported that the Winnipeg Jets are looking to move a defender in a trade before trying to push one through waivers.

What does this mean for the Jets moving forward?

According to McKenzie, both of the Jets Nicks -Petan and Ehlers- have impressed the Jets’ management enough for both to stick around the roster as the season begins.

A team’s 23-man roster requires 12 forwards, 6 defenders, and 2 goaltenders. This leaves room for three extra players to dress into the pressbox.

Earlier, Paul Maurice hinted the Jets might use all three of their extra roster positions on defenders.

The Jets’ have currently ten NHL defenders on contract, with Jacob Trouba being the only non-one-way contract who would receive a paycut in the AHL.

The top-six looks to be set with Tobias Enstrom, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot, Dustin Byfuglien, Mark Stuart, and Trouba. With Grant Clitsome to be moved to IR, using all three extra positions prevented the Jets from exposing any of their defenders to waivers.

The Manitoba Moose playing in the same city makes moving a player to and from the AHL easy if injury coverage is ever required.

With Petan and Ehlers forcing their way onto the roster, it appears that the Jets will be running 13 forwards, which also suggests JC Lipon will be re-assigned to the AHL.

The only question left unanswered is where the 13th forward position will go. Will the Jets keep the pugilistic specialist Anthony Peluso, or will he be waived to make room for PTO Thomas Raffl?