Jets and Flames battling for Sens’ Stone on trade market!

The Winnipeg Jets have been quite vocal about wanting to bolster their offense ahead of the trade deadline in order to being an unbeatable contender this spring. While it was believed at first that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could seek a second-line centre in order to move Bryan Little down to the third line, TSN’s Darren Dreger revealed that he is looking for a top-six winger and could have found the best match in Ottawa Senators’ Mark Stone. 

Stone, a Winnipeg native, could be the acquisition of the deadline if the Jets can manage to convince Sens GM Pierre Dorion, who will be in town this week ahead of the contest between the two teams. The Jets and their farm team will be in action and he could take a closer look at some prospects to help the rebuild in Ottawa. 

“It is expected that Pierre Dorion is going to come in well in advance of that game on Saturday, so he’ll do some scouting of the Winnipeg Jets organization. Mark Stone, a Winnipeg native, would be a great fit for the Jets, but what’s the asking price if he hits the market?  Cheveldayoff is willing to be aggressive, I wouldn’t say he wants to go all in, especially if it means having to mortgage his future entirely.”

The Jets definitely need to step up in order to maximize their Stanley Cup chances this season and the addition of a boost up front would benefit the entire roster that was hoping to go back the Western Conference finals last spring. The Jets lost in five contests at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, who were beaten by the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup final. 

Last season at the trade deadline, the Jets made a splash by acquiring forward Paul Stastny from the St. Louis Blues in order to get their offensive skills going to make it as far as possible. We could get ready to see another splash in the coming weeks in Winnipeg.

However, the Calgary Flames might have something to say about their desire to land Stone. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Flames might also be in the mix to get the services of the Senators’ forward which should make for an interesting all-Canadian battle on the trade market. 

“We’ve talked before that the Vegas Golden Knights would be a team that would have interest in Mark Stone, the (Golden Knights assistant GM) Kelly McCrimmon connection, but what I would say is, watch out for the Calgary Flames as well,” added LeBrun on Tuesday’s edition of Insider Trading on TSN. 

“Now Brad Treliving, the (Flames) GM, has not made any serious inquiries with all the rentals, he’s analyzing the market and trying to figure out how he’s going to game plan it, but I believe for sure that the Flames, when the time is right, if Stone is made available by the Ottawa Senators will inquire to see what it will take to get him in their lineup.  So, some Canadian contenders perhaps clashing in terms of the services for Mark Stone.”

Stone remains unsigned for next season with the Senators, and though Ottawa might see him as the potential next team captain, the club might be forced to move him for a big return at the trade deadline to avoid losing him for nothing this summer during free agency.