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This article was published 20/06/2023 (843 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s been all talk and no action so far for the Winnipeg Jets this offseason. Which, naturally, leads to further discussion, debate and speculation about the lack of activity.

That’s likely about to change. The next seven to 10 days could — SHOULD — be among the busiest and most important in franchise history. And the buzz surrounding the so-called “core four” players who might be on the move is heating up.

Here’s the latest on what I know, and what I think.

1) Pierre-Luc Dubois

It’s no secret his days with the Jets are numbered. He has no desire to sign a long-term extension, which his agent has made clear to the organization. His reasons why are not nearly as transparent — but the bottom line is he’s going to be traded.

As a pending restricted free agent this summer, Dubois needs a new deal. The 24-year-old is said to be seeking something in the range of US$9 million a year, which is quite an ambitious ask for a guy with a career-high 63 points. But you’re paying for tantalizing potential, along with the expectation the salary cap takes a significant jump in the coming years.

Reports that the Quebec product is open to joining teams in addition to his hometown Habs is good news for Winnipeg, as is the fact the Los Angeles Kings have made an aggressive play for the power centre. A package that would bring one of Quinton Byfield (L.A.), Gabe Vilardi (L.A.) or Kirby Dach (Montreal) would certainly make sense for the Jets. But is that realistic?

I’m still somewhat skeptical that it really isn’t “Montreal or bust” for Dubois, which would eliminate the kind of bidding war that could drive the return up and really box Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff into a corner.

Regardless, Winnipeg can’t risk losing Dubois for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s going to be flipped, and I expect it to happen prior to the start of the NHL Draft next Wednesday. A sign-and-trade, where the Jets ink him to a maximum eight-year deal that the team acquiring him has agreed to, is the likely route.

What the Jets get back — we know they have a preference for players who can help them compete immediately, rather than prospects or draft picks that could be years away — should set the course for the rest of this all-important summer.

 

2) Connor Hellebuyck

Just like Dubois, it’s been widely reported Hellebuyck wants out. The three-time Vezina Trophy finalist (and 2019 winner) has made it clear he wants to win a Stanley Cup, and he clearly doesn’t see that happening with Winnipeg soon.

There are numerous teams — Los Angeles, Edmonton, New Jersey, Buffalo, Detroit and Carolina among them — who are in the market for an upgrade in the crease and might just feel someone of Hellebuyck’s calibre could get them to the next level.

Now is the time to move Hellebuyck. With the Michigan product set to be a UFA next summer, it would be a nearly unprecedented scenario to go into next season with him in the fold and then flip him at the trade deadline. What if the Jets were in a playoff spot (thanks, in large part no doubt, to Hellebuyck)? That would be quite the message to send to your fan base. But you’re not going to let him walk for nothing.

A Hellebuyck trade would obviously create a huge hole, one that can’t immediately be filled internally. Either doing so via trade, or on July 1 free agency, is the play, which is why I expect this matter to come to a head very shortly.

 

3) Mark Scheifele

You’d be hard-pressed to find many examples of teams who have both of their top centres on the market at the same time, but here we are.

A change of scenery is likely best for both Scheifele and the team that made him its first-ever draft pick in 2011, and there’s no question many squads could use a point-per-game player such as Scheifele despite some defensive indifference at times which drives coaches (see Paul Maurice, Dave Lowry and, most recently, Rick Bowness) bonkers.

I’ve heard this week that the Boston Bruins are sniffing around Scheifele as they look for replacements for Patrice Bergeron, who might retire.

As a UFA next summer, Scheifele should have plenty of motivation to play for his next contract, which will likely be his last. One name connected to Scheifele talk is 24-year-old Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who could fill what is likely going to become a pressing need in Winnipeg.

Could the Jets and Scheifele still find a way to stay together, at least for a few more months (keeping him until the trade deadline, for example)? I suppose anything’s possible, but it really feels like it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid and move on.

There should be plenty of competition for his services. Carolina is another team to keep a close eye on. The New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche, too.

 

4) Blake Wheeler

Organizational loyalty to the former captain runs deep, and we’ve been reminded of that in recent weeks. The 36-year-old Minnesotan was nominated by the team for the King Clancy Award, entertained fans last weekend at a fishing derby as part of a fundraiser, is set to play in August on a sponsor’s exemption in the Manitoba Open, and was the feature of a recent new contest where the winner will get to spend part of a game day with him next season.

Obviously, they could substitute another player in, but does that sound like someone they’re planning to buy out prior to next Friday’s deadline (as has been widely speculated) or trade, where a sweetener in the form of a draft pick, prospect or major salary retention would be required?

Wheeler no longer wears the “C” but still wields plenty of power. Just look at how so many players, in the exit-day interviews following their first-round playoff elimination to the Vegas Golden Knights, still referred to him as the unofficial leader.

He only has one year left on his deal that pays him US$8.250 million, but if the team is really looking to change the culture, it feels like that can’t truly happen until the Wheeler chapter is closed.

 

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All of the above doesn’t even begin to touch the blue line, which needs to be another area of focus. Including current RFAs Dylan Samberg and Logan Stanley, the Jets have eight defencemen under one-way deals for next year. They also have promising young blue-liners in Ville Heinola and Declan Chisholm knocking on the door for work. And, they also have the need to upgrade a unit that clearly wasn’t good enough.

Moving one or more established, high-price pieces could create both cap space and opportunity. Nate Schmidt and Neal Pionk come to mind, while Brenden Dillon and Dylan DeMelo both just have one year left before they can become UFAs.

With so many balls in the air, Winnipeg has become the talk of the NHL this off-season. It shouldn’t be long before that gets replaced by a dizzying display of action.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg