Jets Rumors: Winnipeg GM Could Make Huge Splash Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Winnipeg Jets are a Stanley Cup contender this season and expect to see GM Kevin Cheveldayoff try to upgrade his roster ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. The Jets have been one of the best teams all season long and management knows this may be the season they finally go deep in the playoffs, so the current team deserves to be rewarded because of their potential.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote on the Jets in his latest 32 Thoughts, and laid out what Cheveldayoff could be up to ahead of the deadline: 

One thing is for sure: the Jets believe in Hellebuyck. They believe he gives them a chance to win. They see it as their duty not to fall apart in front of him. Cheveldayoff’s taken big swings before, and you can feel the excitement among the fanbase at the possibility of another. He has to navigate what’s available to him, and will undoubtedly research the sexiest options. But what if those are impossible, due to trade protection or lack of true supply?

I see another possible path. The most mobile, lengthy, physical, nasty defender he can find — fitting the profile of recent Stanley Cup champions who were loaded with them. One or two forwards to make your group a little deeper.

The Jets currently have $11.5 million in deadline cap space, and own their 2025 first-round pick, which is certainly in play. Meanwhile trade candidates include Rasmus Kupari, David Gusstafsson, Ville Heinola, and prospects Colby Barlow and Brayden Yager.

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