The Winnipeg Jets add a surprising name to the trade block
The Winnipeg Jets are no doubt looking to make some major changes this summer after a disappointing season that saw them finish 6th in the Central Division with just 89 points.
According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli and TSN's Darren Dreger, the latest name on the trade block is Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who has two years left on his contract at $8.25M per season. And word on the street is that the Jets are willing to get creative in order to move him.
Per Seravalli, Wheeler, who has full trade protection until July 1st that reverts to partial trade protection in the final two seasons of his deal (player submits a 5-team trade list), would be willing to waive for a team outside of his list, provided that the interested party is in a city that he feels is a good fit for both his family and his career.
Wheeler will be 36 years of age by the time the 2022-23 season, but make no mistake, he still has plenty to offer - even at this advanced stage of his career. The Robbinsdale, Minnesota native notched 60 points in 65 games with the Jets last season, finishing at nearly a point per game for the third consecutive season. Prior the the last 3 seasons, Wheeler also finished with 91 points in back to back years in 2017-18 and again in 2018-19.
In terms of how "creative" the Jets are willing to be to move Wheeler out, it could mean a number of things. Perhaps they're willing to retain salary or maybe even take back a problem contract in order to facilitate a deal.
If the Jets truly are planning on moving their captain, it seems increasingly likely that we could see a rebuild in Winnipeg. To be fair, it's probably been coming for some time. It may have even been under way already, were it not for a 2020-21 season that saw a divisional re-alignment that placed the Jets in a North Division that was easily the weakest division in the NHL. To be honest, it was a bit of a red flag that the Jets finished the 2020-21 season going 3-7-0. It was the worst record over the final 10 games of any team in the North Division.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 22 | 242 ANSWERS The Winnipeg Jets add a surprising name to the trade block Will the Jets move their captain this year? | ||
| Yes, it makes sense | 100 | 41.3 % |
| No, they'll be better next season | 62 | 25.6 % |
| Don't care | 80 | 33.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
