Trade deadline Chevy’s time to shine

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This article was published 07/02/2025 (216 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is a delicate situation in which Kevin Cheveldayoff finds himself.

The general manager of the Winnipeg Jets recognizes with the NHL trade deadline just under one month away, his team is in position where making a move — or several — to help augment the roster absolutely looks like the right thing to do.

Since the Jets are entering the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off as the top team in the Western Conference and one of the best teams in the entire league, Cheveldayoff has the luxury of being fussy when it comes to the additions he might consider — or ultimately make.

He must also weigh the risks of what bringing in a player might do to the chemistry this team has built through 56 games.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel is in his third season with the organization, so he’s familiar with how Cheveldayoff does business.

What are those conversations like now that he’s the bench boss?

“You’re always looking at the market. Chevy is always talking to the other GMs, names are flying around all the time,” said Arniel.

“For us we like our hockey team, but if there’s somebody there that can make us a little bit better or a little bit deeper — our plan is to play a long time, play into June. You look at all the teams that have gone that way, they’ve had to go deep with their roster because of injuries and different things.

“So if there’s somebody that makes sense for our group, certainly we’ll talk about it. But that’s just Chevy doing his due diligence and seeing what’s available.”

It’s the time of year when the media is trying to connect the dots.

When a team has two scouts on the list at a certain game, could that mean discussions are in the works with one or both of the teams on the ice? Are they looking for a depth piece, a prospect or could Cheveldayoff be taking a swing for a home run.

When Cheveldayoff held his state-of-the-union address in Denver last month, he bristled at the use of “being all-in” and you can understand where he’s coming from.

The term definitely falls under the realm of being open to interpretation and GMs such as Cheveldayoff prefer to deal in absolutes.

The bigger issue is the definition means one thing to a fan base and can be another to the GM, who has one eye on the present and the other on the future.

Having a vision is essential, but the ability to adapt on the fly is critical when it comes to navigating the potholes on the road as the Jets and the other 31 teams approach March 7.

“We’re not sitting here going, ‘Oh, we’ve got to fill this hole, this hole and this hole.’ We’ve got a really good hockey team,” said Arniel. “But knowing Chevy, like I mentioned, if we can help with our depth or even whatever the scenario might end up being, if it makes us a better hockey club to give us a chance to win the Cup, that’s what we’re after.”

Finding the right fit is what every GM is looking for. Sometimes it works out, other times it doesn’t.

There are plenty of instances over the years when an under-the-radar deal is the one that has the biggest impact and the higher profile player just can’t seem to find his way with a new group.

Jets right-winger Mason Appleton was asked for his opinion Friday after the morning skate.

“You can say this is the best team in the league and I feel we’re in a really good spot. Or you could say that, you know, you try to add here or there,” said Appleton, who was reacquired by the Jets from the Seattle Kraken in March of 2022 and speaks from experience.

“It’s obviously not up to me, I’m not the GM, but our team is in a really good spot and this is the group that was pre-deadline last year for the most part and at this same time we found ourselves in first place as well. So I think we’ve got a really good team in this room. We’ll see where Chevy goes.”

The hockey world is watching and waiting for the answer.

Cheveldayoff has made a habit of keeping his cards close to the vest since he was named GM of the Jets back in 2011, so it’s worthwhile to take a look at the past when trying to predict what he do.

One thing we know is when the Jets are in the buyer category, they’ve taken the necessary swings to try and improve the hockey club.

So it stands to reason the Jets are going to do the same thing this time around, whether that means making a pre-emptive strike like Cheveldayoff did last season when he acquired Sean Monahan — or waiting until closer to the deadline as he did in 2018 when Paul Stastny proved to be the perfect addition.

Although Arniel is correct in his assessment the Jets don’t have many distinguishable holes to fill, there are areas on the roster that can be improved, most notably with the defence.

Nobody is doubting the depth, but if a team wants to win the 16 playoff games required to secure the Stanley Cup, the third pairing could still use a boost.

As for the forwards, the recent loss of captain Adam Lowry opened the door for Rasmus Kupari and David Gustafsson to enhance their roles and Vladislav Namestnikov has elevated his game in recent days as well.

That doesn’t preclude the Jets beating the bushes for another second-line centre, which has been the most prevalent trade piece acquired over the years.

While the Jets often look for players with term in their bigger deals, when it comes to the deadline, Cheveldayoff hasn’t been shy about making a move for a rental.

All to say that while a player with some term would be appealing in the right circumstance, the Jets won’t shy away from the rental market either.

Having the ability to be both picky and choosy means Cheveldayoff won’t make a panic buy in this complicated game of musical chairs.

Exercising the patient approach means some of his desired targets could be off the board, but it also means the Jets can accrue some additional cap space to take a bigger swing.

It also means a player or two might hit the market who aren’t expected to be there — which is exactly how Stastny became available in 2018.

These are some of the complex factors to be sorted through as the Jets prepare for what could be the most important reset in franchise history.

Around the glass

The 4 Nations Face-Off should be a tremendous event. While understanding that it’s merely the appetizer to the 2026 Olympics in Milan, it’s been way too long since NHL players have been involved in a best-on-best international event.

“Just for the whole league in general, it’s something that we’ve needed for a long time,” said Jets blue-liner Dylan DeMelo. “It’s going to be great for our sport.”

Tough to argue with that logic.

Predictions

Wiebe: Never mind the goaltending issues that many pundits are predicting Team Canada to have.

There’s plenty of high-end talent up front and on the back end and you can expect this group to be committed to playing the defensive structure that’s required to win the event.

While I’m not underestimating either Sweden or Finland, who have strong rosters, fans in North America are about to get what they want with a Canada vs United States final.

The Jets players that will be involved — goalie Connor Hellebuyck, left-winger Kyle Connor and D-man Josh Morrissey — should all play prominent roles.

I see overtime being required and Canada finding a way to get the job done in a hard-fought battle.

McIntyre: At the risk of coming across as a traitor, I’ve got the American club standing tall at the end by virtue of a thrilling victory over Canada in the final (no overtime required).

I think goaltending is going to be key in a short tournament such as this, and I’ve got a lot more confidence in Hellebuyck (and his two underlings) than any of the three Canadian netminders.

It’s a borderline crime that Washington’s Logan Thompson isn’t on the team, as he would be the clear-cut No. 1 in my opinion. Regardless of how it plays out, it should be a terrific event.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg