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This article was published 12/02/2015 (3872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not easy to feed two beasts, but Winnipeg Jets boss Kevin Cheveldayoff pulled of a mega-deal that sticks to both his draft-and-develop blueprint AND helps service the club’s push to the playoffs.

Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford were to join the Jets in Nashville from Buffalo and fill a hole and allow the club to move Dustin Byfuglien back to defence. That solves a short-term need.

And in landing two highly-rated picks — and a late first-round draft pick — Cheveldayoff continued to focus on stocking the prospect cupboard.

Here’s a look at the players headed to the Jets organization:

 

Tyler Myers, D

Age: 25

Ht: 6-8; Wt: 219

Born: Calgary, AB

This year: GP: 47, G: 4; A: 9; Pts: 13

Career numbers: GP: 365; G: 45; A: 106; Pts: 151.

Salary: Expires in 2019. Cap hit decreases from $5 million to $3 million over next four years.

Scouting report:

Has played in 365 NHL games, all with the Sabres, after they made him the 12th pick in the 2008 Draft… Won the Calder Trophy in 200910 as the NHL’s top rookie… Still seems like he needs to fill out more, but skates well for a big man. If he can find his game with a change of scenery — some are comparing his situation to Zdeno Chara — the Jets brass will be doing cartwheels down Portage Avenue.

 

 

Drew Stafford, RW

Age: 29

Ht.: 6-2 Wt: 214

Born: Milwaukee, WI

This year: GP: 50; G: 9; A: 15; Pts: 24

Career numbers: GP: 563; G: 145; A: 177, Pts: 322

Salary: Contract expires this summer, making him an UFA. Earning $4 million this season.

Scouting report: Posted 31 goals in 2010-11 and had 16 in 70 games last year… Former UND product was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, by the Sabres in 2004… Has a deft touch and some size, but has been labelled inconsistent over his career. Could be reinvigorated being in a playoff push again

 

 

 

 

PROSPECT:

Brendan Lemieux, LW

Age: 18

Ht.: 6-1; Wt.: 209

Born: Denver, CO

Current team: Barrie Colts

Scouting report: Drafted in the second round, 31st overall, by the Sabres last summer, but word is he had told the organization he would not be signing in Buffalo… Has 35 goals and 15 assists in 46 games this year with the Colts… A chip off the old block — his dad is Claude Lemieux and he brings a nasty edge to the game with a goal-scorer’s touch… Jets tried to move up to grab him in last year’s draft when he tumbled out of the first round to 31st.

 

 

Joel Armia, F

Age: 21

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 187

Born: Pori, Finland

This year (Rochester Americans, AHL): GP: 33; G: 10; A: 15; Pts. 25

 Scouting report: Drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2011 Draft… Suited up for his only NHL game with the Sabres on Dec. 23, 2014… Is having a solid season with the Amerks and may get a look by the Jets this spring, depending on the IceCaps’ situation… Possesses a good shot… Was on the Finnish squad for three world junior championships.

 

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait