Winnipeg Jets Down To 5 Or Fewer Trade Options For Mark Scheifele

As the Winnipeg Jets go through a retooling and try to stay competitive, they still have lots of work yet to do. Pierre-Luc Dubois was just the first pin to drop as the team is still working the lines to trade Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele. At this point, centers are a bit more in demand than goaltenders and Scheifele will be cheaper for a team to acquire. But since free agency has come and the rush is over, most teams have their rosters generally set, making it now more difficult for the Jets to make a trade.

The Jets' options are running low for places they can send Scheifele that make sense at this point in the offseason. Two teams tighter on cap who are competitive and need a good top-six center are the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild. Both of these teams have enough cap space to bring in Scheifele at $6 million for one season and it would be worth it with the center depth both appear to lack.

The other three teams that could potentially have room and a need are the Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ottawa Senators. The Predators have undergone significant changes, but look to still be trying to make the playoffs. They currently have Ryan O'Reilly and Cody Glass as the top two centers, so adding Scheifele to the mix would make a huge difference.

With moving one of their many defensemen, the Blue Jackets would have the cap space in order to fit Scheifele in. Center depth has been their obvious weak spot and even with drafting Adam Fantilli, there are some question marks around whether he will play in the NHL yet. For a team that would like to drastically improve, a legitimate top-six center like Scheifele would benefit the forwards.

As for the Senators, if DeBrincat is moved, there is a possibility that the team just adds the best player available for one season and hope he re-ups. Scheifele is more experienced and recorded six consecutive point-per-game seasons before last season. The Jets must decide soon if they want to move Scheifele for a good price and not lose him for nothing next offseason.