Too much on Labanc imo.

Kase is a wild shout though. I like it.

I like what you're thinking re: the offer sheet for Kase and sending Labanc to Winnipeg.

I'm concerned that Driedger is going to be Scott Darling 2: Electric Boogaloo though. He was able to perform largely due to Weegar, Forsling, and Ekblad (prior to his injury) in front and I'm concerned about paying that much for him given the trouble our defensemen had last season. Moreover, we could easily land a proven starter like Mrazek or Ullmark for just a bit more so I think it'll be worth our while to spend a bit extra for a proven commodity (even if Driedger is one of the more exciting FA targets).

Also, curious about your decision to bury Jones in the minors than outright buying him out, since a buyout will save us more in cap space.

Labanc trade wasn’t my idea as I said, but a Jets fan made it and I liked it. Better value than Labanc for Kerfoot and a 3rd lol

And yeah Kase could be a sneaky good signing if he can stay healthy. He’s really good at both ends of the ice 5 v. 5

Not sure how Wenny would do with our coaching staff, but frankly I'd rather have him and find a better coach

I get your reservations about Driedger and with the amount of games he’s played it is a bit of a gamble. But with Ullmarks injuries and Mrazek’s sorta inconsistent play I’d say they’re risk in both of them as well. Both Ullmark and Mrazek are around average in terms of stats. There’s nothing wrong with average, but with Driedger, he could still very well pan out to be a well-above average tendy. I think that’s a fine risk to take. With that being said, Ullmark and Mrazek are next on my list as well though so if it was one of them, I’d have no problems.

Oh and with Jones, my thought process is just: If you aren't in dire need of the cap space buying him out will provide, just bury him. It is more sustainable in the long term, and doable with some smart investments in the short term.

I'm trying to convince myself that there's still a chance for Bob to not suck, but my gut feeling is telling me to prepare for the worst regarding coaching next season.

I can't see this being a front burner trade idea for the Jets. The glaring need is on defence and if the Jets are going to spend some quality assets -- 1st, Harkins, Berdin; though Niku is expendable -- they should first look to spend those kind of assets (plus a roster player) in some sort of package for a top 4 D as opposed to forwards. In terms of a trade for defense, I don't think the Jets and Sharks are good trade partners.

Yeah I definitely understand. Like I mentioned, I just saw the trade and liked it. Guys like Berdin and Harkins aren't integral at all, so if they were breaking points, I wouldn't have a problem taking them out.

And I mean, Simek could be available if you consider him a top-4 defenseman? (although a defense-only one) But I doubt a player of his caliber is what the Jets are looking for.

But yeah if it's not a trade that makes sense for the Jets in terms of addressing their needs, then it's just probably not gonna happen.

I didn't watch many Sharks game this season so I don't have a view on Simek. In terms of Jets prospects/picks, I suspect all but Perfetti and Heinola are likely available for the right return, as the Jets have 3 years of Scheifele and Hellebuyck on good contracts so the team shouldn't squander that opportunity.

I mean Simek is fine to be honest. He kind of strikes me as a Jan Rutta type where he’s maybe a #4 defenseman at most on his own but if you throw him with the right partner (like maybe Pionk or Morissey) he could thrive. Like Hedman-Rutta, Simek did his best on the left side while playing with Burns a year and a half ago.

Simek is reportedly on the block so he wouldn’t cost much I don’t think. I like him but I dunno if he’s high-end enough for Winnipeg.

And yeah Perfetti and Heinola should be 100% untouchable lol