Signs point to a blockbuster trade between the Jets and the Senators.

Jets finally going all in?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Signs point to a blockbuster trade between the Jets and the Senators.
Daniel Lea/CSM/Zuma

The Winnipeg Jets have been serious Stanley Cup contenders for at least the past two seasons now but as a budget franchise they have largely maintained the status quo during each and every season, rarely going for the big move ahead of the National Hockey League's trade deadline. Sure you could argue that the addition of a player like Paul Stastny was a big move, and it certainly paid off big time for the Jets, but the Jets have nearly really been in the mix for that tier 1 type of player at the deadline. 

Well for all you fans in Winnipeg that may be frustrated that your organization has continuously operated as a budget team the 2018 - 2019 NHL regular season may finally be the season in which the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff finally go all in and make their big push for a Stanley Cup championship. According to a recent report from NHL insider Craig Custance of The Athletic, the Jets are now in prime position to take a big run at arguably the best available player ahead of the NHL trade deadline, Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone.

This seems to be more than just a rumor at this time as well, Custance pointed to some very interesting evidence that would appear to suggest that both these teams have, at the very least, had serious conversations about making this trade a reality. According to Custance both the Senators and the Jets were spotted scouting each other last week, on the same night, in spite of the fact that they were not playing anywhere near one another. Additionally the man who was in Winnipeg was none other than Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion himself.

From Custance:

But it was noteworthy that Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion was in Winnipeg on Thursday on the same night the Jets had a couple scouts, including assistant GM Larry Simmons, in Detroit where the Senators were playing. There certainly seems to be a fit between a Jets team that has the assets and appetite to make a big move and a Senators team that needs a big return, if they ultimately trade Stone.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this rumor however was the quote that Custance received from an NHL executive that is in no way related to this trade. An NHL executive who clearly feels that if the Jets add Stone they will be one hell of a threat in the playoffs. 

“The last thing these guys need is a talented forward,” said a Western Conference executive about the possibility of the Jets acquiring Stone, with only a hint of jealousy. “He’ll be great wherever he goes. He drives the offense.”

This would of course be a blockbuster trade for the Jets and it would be even more so if they managed to find a way to convince Stone to remain in Winnipeg for the long term, potentially making them a very serious threat to win the Stanley Cup for several more seasons to come. It would be a dream scenario for fans in Winnipeg, and it doesn't sound like it's too far from potentially becoming a reality.

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