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Published on June 30, 2024 • 4 minutes reading
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The Winnipeg Jets head to the open market on Monday with some extra cash to spend.
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Kevin Cheveldayoff cleared $3.2 million under the salary cap on Sunday after the general manager placed defenseman Nate Schmidt on unconditional waivers, a precursor to buying out the 32-year-old fan favorite.
The move increased Cheveldayoff’s free-agency kitty to just under $12 million while freeing up a spot on the right side of the blue line that the team will look to address.
The Jets enter Monday with several needs, including strengthening their second-line center position, strengthening their defense and finding a backup netminder behind two-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.
They also need to set aside money for their five restricted free agents who need new contracts this summer.
Cole Perfetti tops the list, with an expected two-year, $3 million deal.
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David Gustafsson, Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola and Simon Lundmark — Winnipeg’s other RFAs — will also need deals. All five received their qualifying offers on Sunday.
Additional space can be created if Nikolaj Ehlers is transferred. Depending on the proceeds, this could add another $6 million to the treasury.
Cheveldayoff appeared to temper the Ehlers trade talk during the NHL Draft last weekend, comparing it to similar speculation made last summer about Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck, both of whom signed long-term deals with the Jets.
Trading someone like Ehlers or disgruntled prospect Rutger McGroarty could also help the Jets address an issue.
There is still much to be seen on both fronts.
Let’s take a look at Winnipeg’s cap and who they could target on Monday.
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Cap space: $11,986,309 (per cap friendly)
Grid size: 17/23
Committed to Forward: 12 – $43,622,024 (49.6% of limit)
Dedicated to Defense: 4 – $18,425,000 (20%)
Dedicated to goalkeepers: 1 – $8,500,000 (9.7%)
Forward
Unless the Jets plan to hand over the reins to Brad Lambert or move Perfetti back to his natural position, Cheveldayoff will need to find someone to fill the void at center on the second line.
Given what we know, the Jets have attempted to negotiate an extension with Monahan, whom they acquired in February, so it appears that promoting Lambert or moving Perfetti off the wing is not Plan A.
Monahan stabilized the team’s second line, provided scoring, was a useful addition on special teams and was a reliable option on the faceoff.
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AFP Analytics, which forecasts player contracts, predicts Monahan’s next deal will be around $5.3 million.
If a deal can’t be reached, the Jets could shift their focus to 30-year-old Chandler Stephenson and his projected AAV of $5.6 million.
Stephenson enters the UFA market on Monday after four seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights.
He is best known for his impressive run that helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup two seasons ago, scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists in 22 games.
Stephenson is a late bloomer and had two straight 60-point seasons before dropping to 51 in 75 games last season as Vegas struggled for much of the season.
Other options: C Alex Wennberg ($3.8 million)
Defense
Buying out Schmidt could put Winnipeg back in the spotlight for a bigger name on the free agent list.
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Brandon Montour, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce top a list of players likely to receive significant pay raises, putting them out of Winnipeg’s reach.
One name the Jets could consider is Matt Roy, who is headed to the free agent market after six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.
The Detroit resident checks all the boxes for Winnipeg’s Blue Line.
He’s big – 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds – is a right-handed shooter, is defensively responsible, plays physical and can add a touch of offense.
The 29-year-old’s expected deal is for five years with an AAV of $5.8 million.
Finally, Alexandre Carrier is Nashville and is a cheaper alternative with a price tag of around $3 million.
The 27-year-old right winger plays a physical game despite his 5-foot-11, 174-pound frame and blocks a lot of shots. He would be a good option as a third-pairing guy with rookie Heinola.
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Other options: RHD Sean Walker ($4.6 million)
Goalkeeper
The return of Eric Comrie makes a lot of sense.
He thrived under Winnipeg goaltending coach Wade Flaherty, will make the league minimum ($775,000) next year, and understands what it means to be Hellebuyck’s backup.
Cheveldayoff told reporters at the draft that they are looking for someone who can handle a lighter load. Comrie has done this before and has been able to produce solid numbers with little work.
If not the former Jet, Winnipegger Chris Driedger is another option.
He played most of last season in the American Hockey League, but as a reserve player in his NHL career his numbers are solid: a 31-24-5 record, a 2.45 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage .
Like Comrie, Driedger is expected to make the league minimum wage.
Other options: Jack Campbell ($775,000)
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