Reason Jets Still Have a Handful of Defensive Trade Targets
The Dallas Stars emerged as a significant threat to the Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division, as demonstrated by their recent acquisition of Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday evening, utilizing draft picks and prospects in the exchange.
Responding to this move, the Jets took action by securing Sean Monahan in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick. The uncertainty surrounding the sixth defense spot, currently held by Nate Schmidt and Logan Stanley, prompts speculation that the Jets may redirect their focus to bolstering their defensive lineup in the remaining eight days before the trade deadline. Despite the top right-handed option being taken by a division rival, there remain several high-quality alternatives for the Jets to consider targeting.
Sean Walker – Philadelphia Flyers
Now that Tanev has been traded, Sean Walker from the Philadelphia Flyers emerges as the premier right-handed defenseman available. Should the Jets aim to bolster their top four, Walker presents as an ideal candidate—a skilled puck mover with robust defensive metrics this season. At 29 years old and set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA), it appears negotiations for an extension between him and the Flyers are stalled.
Walker has contributed 22 points across 60 games for the Flyers this season. Rick Bowness recently emphasized their meticulous tracking of scoring chances for and against among Jets players, a practice likely to persist in assessing potential acquisitions. Presently, Walker maintains a 55.19% expected goals percentage (xG%) and controls 50.87% of scoring chances (SCF%) at even-strength, as per Natural Stat Trick.
Given Walker’s status as the top available option, demand is expected to drive up his acquisition cost as the deadline approaches. The Edmonton Oilers are prominently linked to Walker and could emerge as contenders for his services.
The addition of Walker could significantly enhance the Jets’ top four, potentially tipping the scales in their favor. Conversely, if he were to join a Western Conference rival like the Oilers, it could pose a challenge for the Jets in the playoffs.
Alexandre Carrier – Nashville Predators
Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators emerges as a notable candidate to monitor as the trade deadline approaches. At 27 years old, he’s a right-handed defenseman set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With a manageable $2.5 million cap hit, acquiring him for the Jets’ blue line wouldn’t necessitate as many assets as acquiring Walker.
Similar to Walker, bringing in Carrier would strengthen the Jets’ middle pairing and potentially displace either Schmidt or Stanley from the lineup. Pairing Carrier with Pionk on the third line alongside Dylan Samberg could significantly enhance the team’s performance, especially considering their impressive 64.2 percent expected goals percentage in over 100 five-on-five minutes played together this season.
However, a key consideration regarding Carrier’s availability is the Predators’ current position holding the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, coupled with their recent winning streak. Nonetheless, as demonstrated last season with the Nino Niederreiter trade to Winnipeg, the Predators may still be open to trading assets despite their standing in the league.
Moreover, acquiring Carrier would likely be more cost-effective than obtaining Walker, which is advantageous for the Jets, given that they’ve already traded away their 2024 first-round draft pick. Among the options discussed in this analysis, Carrier appears to be the most probable acquisition, considering his comparative affordability, pending free agent status, and the need for a right-handed shot on the team.
Jakob Chychrun – Ottawa Senators
Jakob Chychrun, previously with the Ottawa Senators, was acquired by them around this time last season. Despite having multiple years remaining on his contract, his name is persistently appearing on trade discussions. Although he doesn’t shoot right-handed, Chychrun possesses versatility on the blue-line, capable of playing on either side, and would serve as a puck-moving defenseman within the Winnipeg Jets’ top-four lineup.
During the previous Trade Deadline, he was traded for a first-round pick and two second-round picks. With a cap hit of $4.6 million for this season and the next, he becomes an attractive asset for numerous contenders. The absence of the Jets’ 2024 first-round pick might hinder their pursuit of him.
Although he’s the least probable option among the alternatives, acquiring Chychrun would provide the Jets with a highly skilled puck-moving defenseman, augmenting their power-play options. Additionally, he brings an offensive prowess that enables him to join rushes and create numerical advantages during even-strength play.
Jets Will Be Looking to Add Before March 8 Trade Deadline
Many supporters of the Jets are speculating about potential moves before the March 8th Trade Deadline. Despite the Monahan trade, I’ve consistently held the belief that they’re inclined to strengthen their defense. Walker, Carrier, and Chychrun stand out as viable options for them to explore in potential deals. The Montreal Canadiens’ 2024 second-round pick, acquired through the Gabriel Vilardi – Pierre-Luc Dubois trade with the Los Angeles Kings, could be a significant asset in any negotiations.
In the meantime, the Jets are facing a hectic schedule, with 16 games scheduled in March within a span of 30 days, including a challenging five-game road trip towards the end of the month. They’ll heavily rely on their depth, which has been crucial throughout the year. Post-Trade Deadline, their roster might see further enhancement, particularly with the addition of another defenseman.