Anthony Travalgia: Unpacking a busy day in Winnipeg The Jets continued a successful week by trading for Paul Stastny and re-signing Nathan Beaulieu.

I'm sure a few guys on here must hate reading quotes like these....

Stastny

“Also being able to play under Paul [Maurice], I’ve always respected him as a coach and have nothing but good things to say and I felt that for the three-four months that I was there I learned and was able to adapt as a player. When you have someone like that you can always evolve and keep getting better.”

Beaulieu

“I believe in this staff and team. From Paul Maurice all the way down. The leadership of Blake Wheeler, it just feels like a good group, a good hockey team and for me to be a part of it is something I can’t turn down.”

All Chevy really did today was call guys who were already in his phone. He also did Vegas a solid by freeing up cap space for them to take a run at Pietrangelo and Hall. He essentially made a conference rival stronger.

Very happy with what the jets were able to accomplish with a bit of luck in Perfetti, and solid moves/signings. If they could get phili to retain some of ghost bear’s salary to bring him in as a 3rd pair/second PP defender, Chevy can kick his feet up and relax. I would have liked to see a more proven backup signed for the 1.5 that Brossoit got due to the likelihood of him having to start 25 games, but if he comes back into 18/19 form rather than 19/20... then that’ll work just dandy. Laine isn’t going anywhere. Go Jets Go.

I'm sure a few guys on here must hate reading quotes like these....

Stastny

“Also being able to play under Paul
- jetsnation[Maurice], I’ve always respected him as a coach and have nothing but good things to say and I felt that for the three-four months that I was there I learned and was able to adapt as a player. When you have someone like that you can always evolve and keep getting better.”

Beaulieu

“I believe in this staff and team. From Paul Maurice all the way down. The leadership of Blake Wheeler, it just feels like a good group, a good hockey team and for me to be a part of it is something I can’t turn down.”

What else are these guys going to say? They both want to play don't they?

All Chevy really did today was call guys who were already in his phone. He also did Vegas a solid by freeing up cap space for them to take a run at Pietrangelo and Hall. He essentially made a conference rival stronger.
- TheUltimateJet

I'm so sorry you have to go through life like this.

I'm so sorry you have to go through life like this.
- jetsnation

No need to apologize and I do sincerely appreciate the compassion.

I am just jealous of you. I wish I had a job at True North too.

Resigning Sbiza and Beauleu has dropped Samberg, Henola and Niku down the depth chart because Maurice loves his slower, less talented pylons. We couldn't win with these guys last season, but here they are again.

So do we think Chevy is finished with the defense or is he going to make another signing or trade for a dman?

As of now it's looking like this:

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Beaulieu-Poolman
Sbisa-Heinola
Niku

Hearing there may not be an AHL season so maybe they just leave Heinola in Finland to get a lot of ice time, no idea but it's a possibility I guess.

Is that defense good enough? Is it any better?

So do we think Chevy is finished with the defense or is he going to make another signing or trade for a dman?

As of now it's looking like this:

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Beaulieu-Poolman
Sbisa-Heinola
Niku

Hearing there may not be an AHL season so maybe they just leave Heinola in Finland to get a lot of ice time, no idea but it's a possibility I guess.

Is that defense good enough? Is it any better?
- JetFuel

Bringing back Demelo was very solid to not give up assets or break the bank for a reliable defender. I liked his fit, even if his offence was non-existent.

I think they’ll need a 2nd/3rd pairing D to make this an acceptable back end again. One or two homegrown talents will likely step up, but injuries have haunted us in the past... gotta be prepared.

Stastny was a smart pickup due to only 1 year of commitment. He fills Little’s spot (better) for an extra million. Then he’s a rental for assets if the season is a writeoff, or he’s off the books if need be to make room for more Laine contract $... especially if Perfetti comes out swinging and is worthy of a role in 21/22

Perfetti falling to us at 10th = Awesome.

The Demelo signing was great, though I might have liked the number to have been 2-2.5 million per.

Disappointed on a few fronts, though. . . .

I know Winnipeg is not a draw as far as attracting most UFA's, but I still really wanted the Jets to add a player like Granlund (Nashville) or Wennberg--rather than trading for Stastny--to see how they fair in the 2C hole. There are/were also several attainable UFA defensemen I thought would be worth targeting.

But I have to abandon the idea that Winnipeg can improve in any dramatic way through free agency--accept that they build through the draft and through trades--and therein lies some additional disappointments. . . .

I like Stastny, and if Chevy saw no other play, or solution for the second-line center position that appealed to him as much as bringing him back, then I am happy he was acquired. I hope Stastny can be close to the same player that he was for the Jets a few years ago. But Vegas has been a thorn in Winnipeg's side when it comes to the players they have tried to trade for and/or sign--including Stastny, himself--and I would have liked to have seen Cheveldayoff extract more from Vegas while "doing them a favor" by removing 6.5 million from their books. At the least, I would have been happier if the 4th round pick was FROM Vegas, and not TO Vegas. . . But I guess when the team you're dealing with understands what you're needing and that you face challenges meeting that need, Winnipeg did pretty well, all things considered. But still disappointing.

But in relation to trades, I am also frustrated when it comes to the defense . . . Where was Winnipeg on the Ryan Murray front? A 5th Round pick for top 4 D-man! Isn't he what Winnipeg is seeking, also? Yes I know he's injury prone but he's 27 or 28 and a solid contributor, to be sure. I would have been happy to see him line up behind Morrissey on the LD depth chart, giving Niku, Samberg, Heinola time to develop and/or some healthy competition for 3rd pair D minutes.

The Jets can't be happy with their D-core at present, can they? I like Pionk, Demelo, and Poolman on the right side, but none of them is a 1st pairing defender. On the left, Morrissey is a lock but then what? . . . Whether you choose to play the kids (Niku, Samberg, Heinola) or the plugs (Beaulieu, Sbisa), how can Winnipeg expect to compete better defensively than they did last year?

I hope we see more in the coming days. Go Jets!

Stastny should still be able to comfortably play a third line role, but he is far removed from being a top-6 forward on a playoff team. He remains an adequate player, but he is a buy-out candidate for almost any other team at this price point.

The larger issue however remains the Defense. It is inexcusable to waste over 6 million on a bygone forward while the defense remains decrepit, riddle with replacement level talent.

Stastny should still be able to comfortably play a third line role, but he is far removed from being a top-6 forward on a playoff team. He remains an adequate player, but he is a buy-out candidate for almost any other team at this price point.

The larger issue however remains the Defense. It is inexcusable to waste over 6 million on a bygone forward while the defense remains decrepit, riddle with replacement level talent.


- Jackie Daytona

I agree the defence was horrendous last year,
But Demelo helped and I believe if given the chance so to can Samberg and Heinola.

Perhaps Murray had a no trade to Winnipeg. Not sure, just a thought.

Perhaps Murray had a no trade to Winnipeg. Not sure, just a thought.
- justsaying

Murray has no trade protection at all, Columbus could've traded him to any team in the league.

Perhaps Murray had a no trade to Winnipeg. Not sure, just a thought.
- justsaying

I'm sure there are a lot of signed players and UFA's who have Winnipeg on the "no trade list", especially USA born players. It's not an easy job for Chevy to convince UFA's to come to Winnipeg. I would. think Edmonton and Ottawa currently have a similar problem.

Its also not easy finding chemistry with Laine and Ehlers. Chevy can't just gamble that guys like Turris or Wenneberg are going to work. Hayes is a good center but just didn't fit on that line. They are expensive gambles to make so knowing that Stastny is already a good fit and likes the Jets organization . A good win until Perfetti is ready and Little is ready to come back. It's basically a wash cap-wise since the Little contract is now eligible for LTIR. View it as a trade.....Stastny for Little.

Naysayers are wrong saying we are helping out Vegas, a conference rival. Firstly, we don't play Vegas that often during the regular season, and in the playoffs its usually a third-round matchup. Secondly, the Vegas franchise IMHO is now in a downward trajectory, and if it wasn't for rebuilds in LA and Anaheim I would think they wouldn't make the playoffs this coming season. Finally, and most importantly, if the Jets didn't grab Stastny , then some other team would have in a very similar type deal, and that cap would still come off the books. Its effectively a $5.5 MM deal for Stastny.

Its not anybody's fault that the Jets lost out to the Flames in round one. You can't lose your two top stars to injury and expect to win that series. The same goes for Little's injury or Buff's ankle. In the end, we somehow ended up with Perfetti, who is bound to be a star for the Jets for many years to come. I see the future as very bright.

I just read the Murat Ates excellent article on the value of Stastny as well as the cap space remaining, Perfetti, etc. Well worth reading. Like I said..... the future looks bright. Chevy making the right moves.

https://theathletic.com/2...w-too/?source=weeklyemail

Someone in the comments on an athletic article suggested with islanders cap issues and Pulock being an RFA we offer up Pionk for Pulock. We’d have to add a sweetener but Lou should be tempted by this and no way they sign Pulock for the 3 million Pionk is making and getting Barzal signed is the priority there.

I would love this move!!!!

Someone in the comments on an athletic article suggested with islanders cap issues and Pulock being an RFA we offer up Pionk for Pulock. We’d have to add a sweetener but Lou should be tempted by this and no way they sign Pulock for the 3 million Pionk is making and getting Barzal signed is the priority there.

I would love this move!!!!
- Ross77

Me too

I'm sure there are a lot of signed players and UFA's who have Winnipeg on the "no trade list", especially USA born players. It's not an easy job for Chevy to convince UFA's to come to Winnipeg. I would. think Edmonton and Ottawa currently have a similar problem.

Its also not easy finding chemistry with Laine and Ehlers. Chevy can't just gamble that guys like Turris or Wenneberg are going to work. Hayes is a good center but just didn't fit on that line. They are expensive gambles to make so knowing that Stastny is already a good fit and likes the Jets organization . A good win until Perfetti is ready and Little is ready to come back. It's basically a wash cap-wise since the Little contract is now eligible for LTIR. View it as a trade.....Stastny for Little.

Naysayers are wrong saying we are helping out Vegas, a conference rival. Firstly, we don't play Vegas that often during the regular season, and in the playoffs its usually a third-round matchup. Secondly, the Vegas franchise IMHO is now in a downward trajectory, and if it wasn't for rebuilds in LA and Anaheim I would think they wouldn't make the playoffs this coming season. Finally, and most importantly, if the Jets didn't grab Stastny , then some other team would have in a very similar type deal, and that cap would still come off the books. Its effectively a $5.5 MM deal for Stastny.

Its not anybody's fault that the Jets lost out to the Flames in round one. You can't lose your two top stars to injury and expect to win that series. The same goes for Little's injury or Buff's ankle. In the end, we somehow ended up with Perfetti, who is bound to be a star for the Jets for many years to come. I see the future as very bright.
- jetsnation

Said like a True North company man!

Someone in the comments on an athletic article suggested with islanders cap issues and Pulock being an RFA we offer up Pionk for Pulock. We’d have to add a sweetener but Lou should be tempted by this and no way they sign Pulock for the 3 million Pionk is making and getting Barzal signed is the priority there.

I would love this move!!!!
- Ross77

This would be a move a true GM would make!

Perhaps Murray had a no trade to Winnipeg. Not sure, just a thought.
- justsaying

No movement clauses are formalities. Sure Winnipeg is considered to be the least desirable location to play in. Realistically speaking how many players stay in the cities they play in, during the offseason and furthermore players are only playing 4 months of the year in Winnipeg.

Chevy now has made two trades for players that had Winnipeg as part of their no movement locations: Tyler Myers and Paul Stastny. since Chevy rarely makes trades or uses his phone, we are unsure as to how many other players would waive their NMC's to come to Winnipeg.

Someone in the comments on an athletic article suggested with islanders cap issues and Pulock being an RFA we offer up Pionk for Pulock. We’d have to add a sweetener but Lou should be tempted by this and no way they sign Pulock for the 3 million Pionk is making and getting Barzal signed is the priority there.

I would love this move!!!!
- Ross77

I also like the idea. Chevy has said he wants one more Dman but with only $3MM in readily available cap space, a trade is his only real option. I don't see Sanberg playing much this year. Heinola is still only 19 and likely needs one more year. Niku is limited trade bait. So yes...Pionk for RFA Pulock does make sense from both a cap perspective and as a defensive improvement.

Someone in the comments on an athletic article suggested with islanders cap issues and Pulock being an RFA we offer up Pionk for Pulock. We’d have to add a sweetener but Lou should be tempted by this and no way they sign Pulock for the 3 million Pionk is making and getting Barzal signed is the priority there.

I would love this move!!!!
- Ross77

Nice size, thick Dauphin boy on the D sounds good. He will definatley need to get paid more than the 2 mill he got last contract.

What does his next contract look like? What would be the sweetner?

This would be a move a true GM would make!
- TheUltimateJet

Maybe you prefer that Chevy thinks well into the future and loads up on 2024 and 2028 first-round draft picks in order to grab future superstars players such as Connor Bedard and Kaden Galatiuk or Roman Marcotte.

In the old days this was possible but the problem these days is most GM's guard those first-round picks with their life, just on the odd chance they might end of with a franchise-changing player. Usually, any trades involving 1st round picks now have conditional clauses in them.