Winnipeg Jets' Best Trade Of The Past Year

The Winnipeg Jets have made two trades in the past year and both have been beneficial for their playoff hopes this season. They are holding onto eighth place in the conference and the two additions before the trade deadline have played a part in keeping them in the playoff picture.

The Jets first acquired Nino Niederreiter for a second round pick before bringing in Vladislav Namestnikov for a fourth round pick. Niederreiter is the player that should have cost more to acquire as he is a solid second line winger. He had 18 goals and 28 points in 56 games for the Nashville Predators before the trade and has six goals and 10 points in 17 games since the trade. At a cap hit of $4 million AAV for this season and next, this could be seen as good or a problem, depending on how the summer goes.

As for Namestnikov, the Jets have gotten the most out of him and his cap hit is nearly one quarter of Niederreiter's this season. Namestnikov had just six goals and 15 points in 57 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning before being flipped by the San Jose Sharks and landing with the Jets. He is averaging three-plus more minutes per game in Winnipeg this season and has two goals and nine points in 15 games. For his value and cap hit, their second trade is the best the Jets have made this year.

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