Frolik’s future big question

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/03/2015 (4169 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, the Winnipeg Jets will now focus squarely on their 18-game stretch toward a coveted playoff spot.

While Jets management is universally getting a hearty slap on the back for their handiwork before the deadline — landing Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak, prospects Brendan Lemieux and Joel Armia and a late first-round draft pick in recent weeks — there is also some unresolved business that will continue to linger into spring and beyond.

Namely, what happens to the eight unrestricted free agents now on the roster in the days, weeks and months ahead?

And, in particular, what is the future in Jets colours for Michael Frolik — a valuable, versatile winger who is back on the team’s top line with Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little?

Frolik wasn’t dealt prior to the deadline, although his name came up in a lot of speculation, nor was he signed to an extension. Those conversations have gone on since last summer, when Frolik signed a one-year deal worth $3.3 million, and have presumably continued through the winter.

“I did have a conversation with Michael Frolik’s agent and did say, ‘Look, I’m not trading Michael. We’re going to have ample opportunity to have conversations and continue where things are at,’ ” said Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. “It was a good conversation, but I didn’t want to have any misconception out there that there was any possibility I was trading Michael at this point in time.”

When Cheveldayoff was asked whether he was actively trying to sign Frolik, his answer was cryptic and guarded.

“Actively? Yes, I did have a conversation with his agent and I told him where things were at as far as that goes,” said Cheveldayoff. “I wasn’t looking to use any leverage points or anything like that. Michael is a part of this team and a part of where this has gotten to and Drew Stafford is a part of this organization and going to be a part of where things get to… and Jiri Tlusty and Lee Stempniak.

“All these acquisitions, potentially UFAs, that’s all going to be factored into the question moving forward.”

So the question now becomes, how much cap room do the Jets have to re-sign some of their eight pending UFAs — Frolik, Stafford, Tlusty and Stempniak along with Jim Slater, Adam Pardy, Matt Halischuk and T.J. Galiardi, especially knowing contract extension discussions are also going to take place with mainstays Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien as well as young stars such as Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry?

Asked Monday about his situation for the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Frolik said: “I’m happy here. We’ve got a good thing going right now. Obviously, if the team’s rolling you want to be a part of it. I just want to play the game and not worry about that. These questions, this stuff is for my agent and for Chevy. I just worry about playing hockey. That’s my job.”

Interestingly, in the days ahead the Jets will also crank up their sales pitch to the newer UFAs they’d like to keep around beyond the playoff push. And that’s not an easy sell, given this town’s reputation across the league as the NHL’s frigid outpost.

“I’m happy here. We’ve got a good thing going right now. Obviously, if the team’s rolling you want to be a part of it.”

— Michael Frolik

It’s a question that came up with head coach Paul Maurice after practice Monday, whether the recent addition of three “rentals” in the last month — and the uncertainty surrounding Frolik — left a temporary feel to the reshaped of the roster.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

The Warm-Up

Winnipeg Jets Game Days

On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.

Sign up for The Warm-Up

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

“If you get the right kind of guy… Drew came in really excited to be here,” said Maurice. “He also knew a bunch of the guys. He’s playing hard and playing well for our team.

“It’s good for us as well because we want, and only want, players that want to play in Winnipeg. We’ve got a big chunk of them now, guys that don’t mind that it’s minus-15 because they like being in this city and they like being in this room. That’s really important to us.

“So, now you get some guys who are UFAs and they get to be in our room and see the good things about Winnipeg, the people… it’s easier then to convince those guys to stay,” Maurice continued. “They’re coming into a positive environment, we’ve got a great fan base here. It’s harder maybe to convince a player who maybe comes here once or twice a year, in July, this is a place you want to be.

“We get these guys in, we get them in a good room, they love playing hockey… buy a thicker coat. They’ll be all right if they like playing here. It’s a good place.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait