Since when is buying out your near PPG captain the best idea?

Buying out Wheeler?!
Didn’t see that one coming.
Devils will take him.

Wheeler didn’t decline throughout the season defensively at-least, he got overused, offensively sure, but that cap hit isn’t gonna cause Winnipeg to implode. Also I’d rather Logan Stanley over Dylan DeMelo,

If Wheeler didn't have a $8M+ contract at the age of 34 I would keep him too. But his play has been declining big time since he signed that deal. Yes he is close to a PPG statistically speaking but alot of those points have come in the way of empty net goals or on the power play where we have had an advantage. If you look at his advanced stats he starts alot in the offensive zone and still has a bad plus/minus. I know plus/ minus doesnt mean alot with advanced stats but if you combine that he starts in the offensive zone over 60% of the time he shouldn't have a -17 rating.

Wheeler is straight up bad now. At least Morrissey I think that their is still something their but Wheeler is done

Why would you pick Stanley over Demelo? Because Stanley is younger and bigger? The guy can't skate. Also he was protected playing 3rd pairing minutes against weaker oppostion. Demelo was playing alot with Morrissey on the top pairing. The Jets also have 2 better LHD prospects in Heinola and Samberg that are going to need playing time next year. Stanley is going to find himself on the outside looking in.

OTT accepts

I think Morrissey needs to be playing with a 4-5 star defenseman for him to play to his potential. He was really good with Trouba and with Buff. So sign a Hamilton or bring in Seth Jones and I think Morrissey elevates his game to what it once was. But now playing with guys like Beauleiu, Poolman and Demelo. side bar Demelo is a great defenseman but he isnt a 4-5 star defenseman. He is a great 2nd or 3rd pairing guy and even play on the top pairing but Morrissey seems like he doesnt like playing with him.

We need more homers… this is downright embarrassing

Like what? Give some examples. I'm interested to hear what you have in mind.

Stanley was Arguably Winnipeg’s most stable Defenceman throughout the season. Even if he was playing vs weaker lines, he’s NHL ready, if I’m Winnipeg I’d give a pick up for Seattle to not take him

And for the Rakell deal, Anaheim declines, Yeah Copp might’ve been better than Rakell this year, one good season doesn’t mean he’s more valuable than a player who’s had multiple good seasons and just had a down year and is still young, I’d wait one more year before you this deal makes any logical sense to Anaheim

The Jets aren't trading Niku for a waiver wire goalie they don't need and there is probably no chance Copp is moved for a rental and a 4th liner the Jets don't need.

Wheeler is done?

So first I would like to say in this situation this deal would only be made if Wheeler isn't on the Jets anymore which is unlikely. Second, I think this deal makes sense for Anaheim. Rakell is a UFA after this season. So with the direction that the Ducks are going they are shaping up for a rebuild. Getting a guy like Copp now I believe is more than they are going to get during the season or at the trade deadline. The Ducks would be able to have more years of control to a guy that is 2 years younger in Copp. I don't see Rakell being a Duck by the end of the season. Now this all depends on how his year goes. With Heinen it seems from what I have been seeing and reading that he just ins't living up to expections in Anaheim so he might be on his way out. So bringing in a guy like Harkins who is cheaper and would play the same role as Heinen makes sense.

How do they not need a goalie? Brossoit is a UFA who made $1.5M last year so he will probably sign for the same or a little bit more. Forsberg is a cheap back up. Save any money you can with this flat cap. Copp I think is going to sign for close to $4M. I think Chevy is going to bring in a rental at some point this season. So why not at the beginning of the season so the player can go through camp with the team? Heinen has played like a 4th line player while in Anaheim but he played like a middle 6 guy when he was in Boston. Maybe a change of scenery will be good for him. Perhaps even playing for a playoff team will boost him as well. Worth taking a shot in my opinion.

When Stanley was on the ice against stronger/ faster skaters he struggled big time. There was many times in the playoff series against Edmonton that he looked like he wasn't even close to NHL ready. He had a great season I'm not taking that away from him. Like I said before when I look at Heinola and Samberg I just dont know where Stanley fits in. All the scouting reports on Samberg is that he is a big body, strong skater, bomb of a shot, strong 2 way defenseman. The only postive things I have read about Logan is that he is big and intimidating with a big shot.

Better off seeing what happens with Broissoit or Berdin first rather that throw away assets on a waiver level replacement. Sure, Broissoit will be paid more, he's better. If he doesn't come back, it's easy to find a Forsberg level player for free.

Copp is Winnipeg's most valuable trade chip, why waste his value on a 4th line plug when you can acquire a similar or better player as a UFA? Or give Copp up for a rental to add to their deepest position? It makes far more sense to trade Copp for something that actually helps the team rather than throw him away on a player you've heard of and was good once 4 or 5 years ago.

You're right that you could find a Forsberg for free somewhere else. But let's be honest Niku is never going to play for Winnipeg as long as Maurice is the head coach. So why not just free him and get a real good backup in return. I would rather bring in insurance in Forsberg before knowing what Broissoit is going to do. Also there is a very slim but realistic chance that Seattle picks Berdin.

I'm confused how RW or LW is our deepest position? If you meant Anaheim they could use a guy like Copp who can play LW with guys like Zegras or Steel. if you meant the Jets Rakell and Heinen are wingers and in this situation Wheeler is bought out so the Jets would need to replace a RW. Rakell fits that role. Also LW needs to be addressed as well. When I look into the advanced stats on Heinen while he was in Boston he was starting most of his shifts in the offensive zone and he put up good numbers. Especially when he was playing with Krejci, and Coyle. Goes to Anaheim and he plays with Henrique, Lundestrum. So why not take a chance on him especially if Anaheim is willing to give him up?

I don't mind giving Niku to someone who will play him, I'iid rather just not get back something that has no value in return. A goalie like Forsberg is easy to find. If you want Forsberg that bad, just pick him up on waivers when he gets there.

The Jets still have Connor, Ehlers, Vesalainen and Perfetti who will likely at least start as a winger. That's what I mean. The Jets have more depth there than they do on defense. So why take the most valuable trade piece the Jets have and use it to obtain a rental winger on the decline and a plug 4th line winger? I'd rather the Jets give Ves a real chance than a declining winger that hasn't been good for a few years now. Heinen on his own should only cost a 6th or 7th if you have your heart set on adding a plug. The two together don't have the value to require the Jets best trade piece in return.

Why not use Copp you get a defenseman that we need infinitely more than a winger?

He’s just not good anymore

Nope
guy put up back to back 90 point seasons at 6 mill cap hit and when he got a raise Jet fans were expecting 100 points

That is a good point. I guess I just like the trade because I would know that I would be getting a backup goalie at that cap number and not have to gamble in signing a UFA goalie. Speaking of backup goalies, What would be your thought about the Jets going after a guy like Rittich? I don't think he would be a starter anymore.

I am a huge fan of Vesalainen and Perfetti. I also really like them playing the wing. My thoughts are that Perfetti starts the season with the Moose. With Ves I really hope there is another level to him and he can fit in the top 6. I think he has the skills for it, but with POMO will he give the kid the chance? POMO seems to not like playing the kids or just bring them up slowly. Which as a fan is really frustrating.

If you were to trade Copp where would you trade him to? Would it be part of a package to get Seth Jones?

Rittich would be a maybe for me. I think he'll probably want more than the Jets should pay. I'd just wait and see how things shake out after the XD and free agency starts.

I agree with your frustration on playing the kids. I don't think will change much though, unless Chipman and Chevy decide to put a unified foot down and push for youth.

As far as who I would trade Copp for, I don't know. First off it will depend on whether or not and for how much Copp will or won't sign for. If he is willing to sign for a reasonable dollar and term, I'd like the Jets to keep him.

If the Jets were to trade Copp though, I wouldn't personally target Jones as I don't think he'll re-sign in Winnipeg. I'd rather the Jets wait and see where Jones wants to go and then see who becomes available from that team clearing out the cap space to fit an extended Jones in. Between that and the XD, I think some unexpected players may become available and that is who I would want the Jets to target.

Yeah I think some crazy team is going to give him around the same he is making right now. Probably a little less but the guy is still only 28 and some team will sign him for more than the Jets can afford. Yeah being patient would be a good thing because Berdin seems to be ready to take the next step and play some NHL games. He looked really good in the AHL. So give the guy a chance. You have one of the top 5 goalies in the league so having this kid as your backup would be safe.

I don't think Chipman or Chevy have the balls to make a tough decision like that and put their foot down. It seems a little too friendly in that front office for anything big to happen. It blows me away that year after year the team has had the talent but settle for mediocrity. The Jets are going to waste their prime years with Ehlers, Schief, Helleuyck, Connor, Lowry and now PLD as a core when it could have been almost dynasty worthy. In all the years the Jets have been back in Winnipeg they haven't made a tough decision that would better the team and bring them to the next level. Firing Noel needed to happen. That team was real bad.

I would really love to keep Copp. But I think he is going to be asking for $4M+. I don't see him as a top 6 forward. He is perfect on the wing with Lowry on the 3rd line. I really hope he sees himself in that role and how good he is in that role. But unfortunately with most players it takes them till they are older than Copp to figure out they are nothing more than a role player and not a top 6 forward who is a highly skilled player who can put up big points. The one example I can think of is Eric Fehr. I know him personally so I know that he struggled big time coming out of junior into the AHL/ NHL level and he wasn't producing like he was in junior. But when he fought through injury in Winnipeg and went to Finland to play he realized that he wasn't that goal scorer/ point producer that he was in junior so he worked hella hard at his defensive game and he became a great role player and won a Stanley Cup.

If the Jets were to trade Copp I would be really happy the Jets traded for Jones. If Jones accepted the trade to Winnipeg I would sign him to a max deal right away. BUT if the Jets make that happen then I would hope they dont make a big push for Hamilton. My plan would be make a big push for Hamilton and swing big. Like the deal I proposed in this situation. If the Jets miss on that then I would circle back to Jones and see what could happen there. If Pionk wasn't an RFA would you rather have Pionk or Jones? I'm just guessing that if a deal were to happen for Jones Pionk might have to be part of the pieces.