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Jets Need to Make Decisions on Defense; Mailbag Incoming

July 24, 2023, 3:52 PM ET [40 Comments]
Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Winnipeg Jets have had a decent off-season, making big changes up front and adding some goaltender depth, but their defensive group hasn't changed. With there still being some time left in the off-season, will the Jets look to make a move on the back end?

Josh Morrissey is a lock to return. After a massive breakout year, Morrissey has proven that he is the number one guy to lead that group and should be sticking around in Winnipeg for the foreseeable future as they avoid a full-out rebuild.

Outside of Morrissey, there are no players that are completely safe. Neal Pionk and Nate Schmidt both have significant cap hits and could be moved to gain some flexibility, though they don't necessarily need it right now.

Dylan Samberg is more than likely to remain a full-time NHL defenseman, but Ville Heinola, Declan Chisholm and Logan Stanley are also looking for their spots.

The Jets are currently running with a depth chart of:

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
Heinola-Chisholm
Stanley-Capobianco

It will be interesting to see how the Jets make things work. Heinola, while hasn't officially requested a trade like Leon Gawanke did, is getting frustrated with his lack of opportunity. He is tearing up the AHL but isn't given a consistent part on the NHL roster. If he doesn't get that chance this year, a trade request may be in his near future.

Chisholm is also getting pretty close to really looking for NHL minutes. He is still unsigned, and that may have implications on his waiver status. The Jets already lost one good defenseman due to their abundance as Montreal claimed Kovacevic last year, and he looked steady with the team.

Regardless of who you think should be in the top-six for defense, people are going to have to be moved or the team will be at risk of another waiver casualty.

I am going to be doing another mailbag, so get your questions in. The more creative the better. It can be anything about the Jets or anything else regarding the NHL. Leave your questions in the comment box, and some other things you would like to see during the offseason.
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