Jacob Billington: August Update: Mailbag, RFA Updates, What to expect this month

Gustafsson doesn't have arbitration rights so he can't file.

I wonder what the hold up is with him getting signed, maybe he's asked for trade? Seems strange that he isn't signed yet.

I think it would be beneficial for the jets to trade a veteran defenceman for a forward that is signed for a couple of seasons. It may be more efficient than overpaying for a UFA.

I think it would be beneficial for the jets to trade a veteran defenceman for a forward that is signed for a couple of seasons. It may be more efficient than overpaying for a UFA.
- Kunit

I agree, except for the fact that Zach Aston-Reese, Sonny Milano, Evan Rodrigues and Tyler Motte are still UFAs. They won't be very expensive, and could be really good value signings.

On terms of a trade, I don't see Chevy looking to trade Morrissey, Pionk or DeMelo, but Dillon could fetch a decent forward, maybe someone like Vilardi or Turcotte could be in play from LA.

They have so many high-end young guys that they don't have room for. Byfield, Kupari, Vilardi, Kaliyev, Turcotte, are all knocking on the door, and they don't have space for all of them

The Jets should try and trade soft Demelo, ultra soft Schmidt, mistake machine Dillon, and even Pionk. This team needs to move on from these mistake prone d-men. Other then Dillon the other 3 rarely hit and Pionk only bumps opponents which the team calls hits. With Heinola expected to make the team this year his offensive skill will replace Pionk, who could bring a good young physical 3rd line forward in return. Samberg is ready and with Stanley hopefully playing with the same partner in a real defensive system the defense should be vastly improved.

Appleton signed, 3 years × $2.17M per season.

Shouldn't be too hard for him to live up to that contract but we'll see.

I think it would be beneficial for the jets to trade a veteran defenceman for a forward that is signed for a couple of seasons. It may be more efficient than overpaying for a UFA.
- Kunit

I agree that a ufa tends to be an overpayment and reduces opportunities for internal development.

It will be interesting to see what apples fall from the trees after teams finalize rosters to be cap compliant going in to camp. It makes sense to wait for those opportunities to maximize trade value for players Chevy has decided to move.

I think we will start the season with Dillon in the lineup, maybe he gets moved next summer or ‘24 deadline. Schmidt will be tough to move, don’t think it will happen this year.