Who should the jets target tanev vs walker discussion

Team: 2023-24 Winnipeg Jets

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 8, 2024

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

With the jets trading for Monahan it leaves them rook to make more moves as they have the cap space. A lock down 3rd pair rhd would be the top of my list on what they jets should be looking for along side a physical presence forward. This sparks the debate on who they should target?

There are 2 mainstream options in tanev and walker. They may go for a option that may be cheaper (dumba, carrier, Barrie, seeler, peeke, Lyubushkin etc) but for the sake of this agm I will explore the tanev vs walker angle. I most likely will make another agm focusing on some other potentially cheap options that were mentioned as well. Jets have the cap space at the tdl for both unretained so being over the cap is not important for this agm regardless of who they get.

So what does each of them bring
Tanev 34 year old 6'2 right shot 4.5m ufa 2024
1 goal 8 assists 9 points in 47 games +9
38 sog 20 hits 142 blk 19:41 ice time a game average
Staple on a pk with the blocks not really a major contributor for offense at 5v5 no pp time
Calgary looking for a 2nd and other asset/prospect

Walker 29 year old 5'11 right shot 2.65m ufa 2024
5 goals 13 assists 18 points in 51 games +8
84 sog 61 hits 72 blk 19:33 ice time a game average
Plays some pk but not the major guy, no consistent pp time but major player at 5v5 at offense and defensive play.
Philly is looking for a 1st round pick for walker, he may go for less but that's the price set

Looking at them side by side both have their advantages (tanev blocks, pk, fearless) (walker 5v5 play, secondary scoring from back end, cheaper contract). It's not hard to see why these guys are part of the rentals available and how they help a playoff team improve.

One thing I like about these players is that neither one is a player that costs an insane amount but both are players that can fit right into a contender. Not always about getting the best overall player at the deadline (hanifin, Chychrun, orlov etc) but the player that fits and makes the team better without changing the chemistry of the team.

All in all I do like walker better for the 5v5 play and contract (maybe another move again? Probably not but leaves room) but again he is slightly more expensive in asking price between 2nd and another asset for tanev and a 1st for walker.

Let me know what you think is the better player and who's the better acquisition. Interesting to see who these players go to and if the jets are a team that could go after either player.

Thanks

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