Team: 2022-23 Winnipeg Jets

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 15, 2022

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I can't ignore this window of opportunity.
If the Jet's are willing to trade for Jesse Puljujarvi, should they do it VERY SOON before the Roster Freeze on Dec. 19th, or even still by Dec. 27th? I say this Mainly because Sam Gagner has played 992 NHL Games. The Oilers could celebrate Sam Gagner's 1000th NHL Game, who was an old fan favourite and still talked highly of.
Sam Gagner was drafted 6th Overall by the Oilers in 2007...Had 317 Points in 542 Games for the Oilers between 2007-08 to 2013-14, 2018-19 year, and 2019-20 seasons. Sam Gagner and the Oilers can possibly reach Gagner's 600th game and 400th point Milestones with the Oilers Franchise before he retires.
The Oilers have 8 games until their New Year's match-up against the Jet's and the Jet's have 9 games until the New Year's Match-up. So Gagner could possibly play his 1000th Game with Oilers fans in the building on New Year's Eve.
*(Dec. 15) The Jet's and Oilers have a game today, which would be Gagner's 993 NHL Game. If they both make the trade tonight, Gagner would be able to play the rest of the OIlers 7 games of the Year and Celebrate his 1000th game on New Year's Eve with the Jets in the building.
OR - Both the Jet's and Oiler's have 3 games between Dec. 27 and Dec. and New Year's Eve. BUT the Jet's have an extra game, so if they Healthy Scratch for *One Game*, Gagner could still play his 1000th game in the OIler's building. Whether that's still with the Jet's or playing with the team that Drafted Gagner 6th Overall in 2007.
The Stars could definitely align. Which is why I couldn't ignore this window of opportunity... I tried...

I believe Jesse Puljujarvi would be worth it. That's why I tried my best to read the Jet's situation and tried making Trades for Puljujarvi. Also maybe a "low-key" smaller market like Winnipeg could be a very good fit for Jesse Puljujarvi, he would be away from lots of noise. And could focus on returning his love for the Game that allowed him to be Drafted 4th Overall. Winnipeg would treat Puljujarvi good, especially if Puljujarvi embraces Winnipeg. Winnipeg would embrace Puljujarvi. We don't need Puljujarvi to be pressured to be a super-star, we're already blessed with those. We just need Puljujarvi to be Puljujarvi and return his passion for the Game. If he breaks out, that only benefits Winnipeg a lot.

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Initially before moving a spot for Puljujarvi, I mostly took more focus on the RFA's over UFA's (UFA's could still be in the Lineup Due to Injuries).
After 8 more games or 27 days(Jan. 11), the Jet's should send Stenlund back to the AHL so that he could get Quality Minutes and build more Chemistry with Future Jets. Since Stenlund passed Waivers already, we can use that advantage of by-passing waivers and save a depth player from Waivers.
I also suggest sending Barron to the AHL, ONLY because his Waivers Exemption is very valuable. He still has 13 games Waivers Exempt and could save a Depth player(Waivers) for the Jets. Barron could get top line minutes, top special teams minutes with a good Moose team to play with and build his game and abilities. Could also help the Moose and gain chemistry with Future Jets. I also suggest swapping out Samberg and Heinola(Samberg can swap back.) Since Samberg still has 37 games Waivers exempt and could give Heinola some good looks to build his game within the Jets new system. Use the Waivers Exempt advantage while it's there. Now could be the best time to make a move !!!

Now it gets interesting, because I don't know what the Jet's want to do with Kyle Capobianco.
If there were "No Injuries" the Jet's would have to either Send both Barron's and Samberg's/Heinola's spot down to have room. Or risk losing one of the RFA's Stenlund, AJ-F, Capobianco or Eyssimont. I would choose risking Capobianco because Chisolm or Gawanke could take Capobianco's spot in the Depth chart. But I would also like to avoid that possibility and use both Barron's and Samberg's/Heinola's spot. Which is why I stress the importance of using Morgan Barron's and Samberg's Waivers Exemption Advantage.
Since Stanley and Appleton are possibly still a few months, that leaves 2 spots open. And a 3rd spot for a bit while Ehlers still out for 3-4 weeks, we don't have to worry about Waivers for any players at the moment.
A trade for Puljujarvi would be worth it before things get too desperate and Teams make the price difficult to fathom.
I added Gagner to the Puljujarvi Trade because he was Drafted 6th Overall in 2007. Had 317 Points in 542 Games for the Oilers between 2007-08 to 2013-14, 2018-19 year, and 2019-20 seasons. Then possibly Sam Gagner and the Oilers can reach Gagner's 600th game and 400th point Milestones with the Oilers Franchise before he retires.

4 Penalties vs Panthers there was 178:33(178.55) for Forwards. And 114:54(114.9) for the D. = 293:27 Team Total time.
3 Penalties vs Ducks there was 177:19(177.317) for Forwards. And 116:41(116.683) for the D. = 294:00 Team Total time.
2 Penalties vs CHI there was 179:54(179.9) for Forwards. And 116:27(116.45) for the D. = 296:21 Team Total time.
Based on near time averages I use 178 min for Forwards, and 116 min for D. Which is 294:00 Total time. (11-7?)

I understand the struggles Puljujarvi is going through and that he's probably only a 3rd liner at best. I put Puljujarvi on the 1st line to give him a better opportunity to rejuvenate his skills and confidence. Giving Puljujarvi a 2nd chance.
With Puljujarvi I reccommend this line up;

Connor-Dubois-Ehlers/*Puljujarvi *OR -Puljujarvi/*Ehlers
(19 min)(18 min)(11 min)/*(7 min) (9 min)/*(9 min)
Perfetti-Scheifele-Wheeler
(16 min)(19 min)(16 min)
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
(13 min)(15 min)(13 min)
Gustafsson-Stenlund-Puljujarvi/*Ehlers *OR -Ehlers/*Puljujarvi
(10 min)(9 min)(5 min)/*(7 min) (9 min)/*(3 min)
Harkins

Keep it Simple. When Ehlers is on the Ice, you let him play.
Ehlers takes 2 shifts in a row on the First Line, his 3rd Shift will be playing with the Bottom 6's transition and will help the Bottom 6 create more opportunities. Puljujarvi will take the 3rd Shift on the First Line.
*OR
You let Puljujarvi start with the First Line and Switch every other shift with Ehlers on the First Line.

Simplicity is an important key. It might look difficult trying to fit in 2 different players in a Lineup rotation, but keep that Simple mindset. It could work very well and it could be very effective that Teams wouldn't have an answer to.
Teams would have to worry about Ehlers on the 4th line in the game and won't be able to afford to match a high caliber Top 6-9 player against Ehlers ability to influence the game with his Speed and Abilities.
They would also have to worry about the Top 6 and Top 9 that can be Very Dominant. Teams will just have to ride it out against us, but we can learn to effectively understand our game, and when we can hit teams hard. It's us vs. them and we don't play to disappoint ourselves. We play to WIn every single time.
Forgot about QO's but have completed the Finalized Projection. #TrueNorth #FuelledByPassion #WeAreWinnipeg. <3

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