Jets play it cool as trade deadline nears

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This article was published 20/03/2022 (1279 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CHICAGO – After weeks of speculation, we’re finally about to get some concrete answers, as time ticks closer to Monday’s NHL’s trade deadline.

The Winnipeg Jets, after what’s been a disappointing and surprising 2021-22 regular season, given the year’s high expectations, have had a few players included in reports as potential trade targets. The Jets could also be buyers at the deadline, as general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, in a recent interview with TSN, only added fuel to the rumour fire by suggesting he might be looking for a middle-six forward. He noted that while the team’s future draft picks are at a minimum, he’d be open to moving prospects.

“Yes, you’re aware of the outside noise, rumours, and speculation. It’s part of the job,” Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey told the Free Press following Sunday’s morning skate at the United Center, ahead of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“It comes with the game and this time of year for every team. It’s something we’re all aware of. As a player, part of our job is being ready for anything – whether that’s for yourself or your teammates. We’re aware of it, but at the same time we’re fighting to stay relevant and close here.”

Much of the rumours have focused on forwards – and pending free agents – Andrew Copp and Paul Stastny, both of whom could be gone by the 2 p.m. cut-off. Both are key leaders in the locker room and players on the ice, and their departures would certainly throw a wrench in the club’s last-ditch effort to snag a playoff berth.

The Jets (28-24-10) entered Sunday’s action six points behind the Vegas Golden Knights, but have two games in hand, for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Dallas Stars (33-24-3) and Vancouver Canucks (30-26-7) are also currently ahead of Winnipeg, with the Jets having 20 regular-season games remaining to narrow the gap.

“Both guys that are a big part of our team. It is what it is,” Morrissey said when asked about Copp and Stastny. “There is really nothing you can do but handle what you can, handle your day, and support anyone that is being talked about in the media as well. That’s really all you can do.”

The fact Copp and Stastny participated in morning skate and were confirmed by interim head coach Dave Lowry to be playing against the Blackhawks, casted a bit of doubt as to whether either will be traded. But that certainly doesn’t rule it out completely, and with neither player confidently expected to re-sign in Winnipeg, the chance that either one could get injured might just be a risk Cheveldayoff is willing to take to get his team a much-needed victory over Chicago.

Given their current roster issues, the Jets also don’t have much of a choice but to play one of Copp and Stastny.

Winnipeg re-assigned forward Kristian Vesalainen to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose on Saturday and then found out Sunday morning that Adam Lowry tested positive for COVID-19. That forced the Jets centre into the league’s protocols, which rules him out action for a minimum of five days. With Lowry out, forward Jeff Malott arrived in Chicago after playing with the Moose all season, and will make his NHL debut.

The Jets could dress a seventh defenceman – Ville Heinola, recently called up from the Moose, is with the club – but there are no other forwards available to dress. Thus, if Winnipeg did hold Copp and Stastny out, they would have to play a man short.

“At the end of the day, we don’t make any of the decisions. We know we’re in a playoff race where we’re going to have to win 15 of the last 20 games of the season,” centre Pierre-Luc Dubois told the Free Press. “I know that it can be a stressful time of the year, where it’s not the easiest to just concentrate on playing but that’s what we have to do and what we have to concentrate on. Everything else is just out of our hands, really.”

It can be a stressful time for players, whether you’re a potential trade target or not. No player likes to see a teammate leave town, which only adds to the stress of having to win a majority of your games down the stretch in order to play meaningful hockey in the spring.

Dubois admitted he tends to ease his mind by indulging in retail therapy. He loves fashion and couldn’t help but blush when talking about how much clothes he purchases. He also likes to spoil his dog Georgia, a two-year old English Bulldog.

“It’s been tough sometimes. I like to get out, I like to try new things, new restaurants, new shopping and coffee shops, stuff like that,” Dubois said. “Everybody is different. Personally, I don’t read what people think about our team. If you want to get the best pulse on our team, you have it in the room.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton