Just like last year at the trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets have loaded up with some center depth as they’ve traded for center Kevin Hayes from the New York Rangers.

Hayes is a 6’5″ center who can also play some wing and has been a strong top six forward for the Rangers since his debut in 2014. He does have size, but uses it more for leverage than rugged physical play. He’s a pending UFA this summer and it’s tough to see the Jets having the room re-sign him for the 5+ million he would likely ask for, so this is purely a rental type situation.

As for the price, it’s a reasonable one for the Jets as that 1st round pick will be in the mid 20’s (if not a bit lower) and forward Brendan Lemieux who really did impress while in his last run with the Jets while Nik Ehlers was injured.

The Jets “conditional pick” has turned out to be a fourth round pick should the Jets win the Stanley Cup with Hayes in the lineup.

This deal more than likely means the Jets are out of the running for Mark Stone out of Ottawa, but they might not be done as a left handed defenseman is still high up on the shopping list, especially after the injury to Josh Morrissey last night.

Stay tuned…