Team: 2023-24 Winnipeg Jets

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 3, 2024

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This team is really tough to predict right now when it comes to trade deadline moves. Their depth pieces have been playing their system incredibly well recently, and it is tough to imagine moving AJF and Toninato off of the fourth line. (I'm sure that production will dip, but right now they are driving a ton of our offensive play.)

These aren't trades, so much as observations that I am making related to potential lineup moves:

1. I want to see a 3rd line of: Iafallo - Lowry - Niederreiter
This line would out-compete most in the NHL, and would be a huge threat to have on the 3rd line. I believe Nino should really be on our 2nd line today, but it would be a great sign if we had the pieces in place to push him to the 3rd line after the deadline.

2. (Obvious warning) We need to move players out if we are going to bring in some new roster players. I would argue that our depth can certainly be upgraded, but the waiver wire would kill us. We can't be sending players like Appleton, Barron, Chisolm or Staley through waivers with no return.

3. Appleton has a skillset that is better suited for a 4th line + penalty kill. I know we were all "wow'd" by this line earlier in the year, but the production has significantly dropped off, and players like Nino need better linemates to get to their potential in this lineup.

4. Despite his recent surge of production, I think Namestnikov can't be our 2nd line center - there are way too many better players available that can get more out of the 2nd line wingers than Namestnikov has. I know he deserves better than a 4th line role, but on a cup contending team, it's a good problem to have.

5. I know I am going to regret this take, but our team metrics without Kyle Connor in the lineup are better in (checks notes) every way. You will not see me advocating for a trade for a player that can score like Connor does, but I believe he is one of the few players remaining in the lineup that doesn't seem to play to the new systems very well. I can imagine a world in which he gets bumped to the 2nd line when he is healthy, and I wouldn't mind seeing what happens if he stays there.

6. I know we are sick of hearing the same thing every year, but we still don't really have a confident 2nd line C in our lineup. (At least one that Bones trusts enough to put in that position.) This seams like the logical move at trade deadline, and if KC is going to be on that line, it has to be someone that is defensively responsible that can set up plays.

7. I know we all love to talk down on Schmidt, but his play this year has been fantastic alongside Samberg. Despite my maaaasive bias and love for Heinola, I can't see us benefiting from taking Schmidt out of the lineup based on his play this year. Which brings us to:

8. Heinola. What to do with Heinola when he returns. I believe Heinola would instantly become our 2nd best puck moving D in this lineup, an area that we are in dire need of (see PP stats and cry with me.) Would we benefit from seeing a few games with Dillon the bench to get a look at where Heinola is at?

Let me know what you think in the comments!