What would you do Wednesday: Pending UFA depth forwards
9 years ago
In this instalment of What Would You Do Wednesday, I want to
see what you, the readers, would do with the pending unrestricted free agent
forwards the Jets have.
see what you, the readers, would do with the pending unrestricted free agent
forwards the Jets have.
I want to do it a bit differently though by the option to sign one, trade one and cut one for the three potential forwards. Don’t hold
back and fight for what you believe in.
back and fight for what you believe in.
THE SCENARIO
As the 2015 NHL deadline approached, Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin
Cheveldayoff made huge news in the NHL when he finally loosened his grip on the
team and made a handful of trades to help better the team and provide the Jets
with some much needed depth.
Cheveldayoff made huge news in the NHL when he finally loosened his grip on the
team and made a handful of trades to help better the team and provide the Jets
with some much needed depth.
Cheveldayoff sent Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and an unsigned goaltending
prospect to the Buffalo Sabres for quite a handsome return. The Jets received
longtime Sabre and pending UFA Drew Stafford and underachieving towering
pointman Tyler Myers as immediate bodies for the roster, as well as a pair of
prospects in Joel Armia (16th overall pick in 2011) and Brendan
Lemieux (31st overall in 2014) and finally a first round pick in
this year’s draft.
prospect to the Buffalo Sabres for quite a handsome return. The Jets received
longtime Sabre and pending UFA Drew Stafford and underachieving towering
pointman Tyler Myers as immediate bodies for the roster, as well as a pair of
prospects in Joel Armia (16th overall pick in 2011) and Brendan
Lemieux (31st overall in 2014) and finally a first round pick in
this year’s draft.
So far in his time with the Jets Stafford has fit in nicely on
Winnipeg’s second line alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. In 21 games
Stafford has amassed 17 points (7g, 10a) and a +2. It is not yet known what
kind of money he is looking for in his new contract, but he can expect to make
somewhere in the ballpark in the 4 million he is making in his current
contract.
Winnipeg’s second line alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. In 21 games
Stafford has amassed 17 points (7g, 10a) and a +2. It is not yet known what
kind of money he is looking for in his new contract, but he can expect to make
somewhere in the ballpark in the 4 million he is making in his current
contract.
Next the Jets picked up a rental forward with some offensive
upside in the form of Jiri Tlusty from the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old
had put up 30 or more points in his last three seasons with the ‘Canes, and was
on pace for 30 before being dealt. The price of a third round pick in 2016 and
a conditional sixth round pick in 2015 seems like a fair trade for a young
forward who has spent his time on Winnipeg’s third and fourth lines. In 15
games the Czech-born forward has a 8 points (1g, 7a) for his new team. He can
expect a slight raise from his 2.95 million dollar contract that expires at the
end of the season, but he is still on the right side of 30 and can prove to be
valuable depth for the Jets in the future.
upside in the form of Jiri Tlusty from the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old
had put up 30 or more points in his last three seasons with the ‘Canes, and was
on pace for 30 before being dealt. The price of a third round pick in 2016 and
a conditional sixth round pick in 2015 seems like a fair trade for a young
forward who has spent his time on Winnipeg’s third and fourth lines. In 15
games the Czech-born forward has a 8 points (1g, 7a) for his new team. He can
expect a slight raise from his 2.95 million dollar contract that expires at the
end of the season, but he is still on the right side of 30 and can prove to be
valuable depth for the Jets in the future.
Finally, just a day before the deadline, Winnipeg acquired Lee
Stempniak from the New York Rangers for Carl Klingberg who had been toiling
away in the minors for years. Stempniak has been another low risk, high reward
move for Cheveldayoff and the Jets, playing on Winnipeg’s third line and once
again adding to the theme of this article, the team’s depth. The 32-year-old
has added six points (3g, 3a) in 13 games with his new club. Like Stafford, Tlusty Stempniak has an expiring contract and could be a bargain signing for
any team next season. His ability to play on any line, and even play a little
power play time, could prove very valuable for most teams next season.
Stempniak from the New York Rangers for Carl Klingberg who had been toiling
away in the minors for years. Stempniak has been another low risk, high reward
move for Cheveldayoff and the Jets, playing on Winnipeg’s third line and once
again adding to the theme of this article, the team’s depth. The 32-year-old
has added six points (3g, 3a) in 13 games with his new club. Like Stafford, Tlusty Stempniak has an expiring contract and could be a bargain signing for
any team next season. His ability to play on any line, and even play a little
power play time, could prove very valuable for most teams next season.
HOW IT WORKS
So now the decision is in your hands, which of these three
pending free agents are on your most wanted lists. You have to make a decision for
each of the three; you have to sign one to a new contract, with how much you
would pay him and how long the term is.
pending free agents are on your most wanted lists. You have to make a decision for
each of the three; you have to sign one to a new contract, with how much you
would pay him and how long the term is.
You have to trade one before the 2015 NHL draft in June. Be sure
to include what kind of a return you would want for him.
to include what kind of a return you would want for him.
And the third you let leave for free agency.
Don’t forget to explain why you made your decisions in the
comments below.
comments below.
Feel free to let us
know what you would do, you’re the GM, so you tell us in What Would You Do
Wednesday!
know what you would do, you’re the GM, so you tell us in What Would You Do
Wednesday!
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