Jets Linked to Multiple Defensemen Prior to Trade Deadline

Ken Weibe of Sportsnet took a much closer look at what’s on the table as options for the Winnipeg Jets these next couple of weeks. Suggesting they’ve been linked to a few different options to improve their blue line, the scribe wonders how things have changed with teams the Jets had targeted still technically in the 2020-21 playoff race.

Specfically, Weibe wondered where the Jets will turn if their primary targets of Mattias Ekholm and David Savard are no longer available because both the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t guaranteed sellers. These were the two names most insiders had Winnipeg keying in on, but Nashville is said to be open to the idea of hanging onto Ekholm, while the Blue Jackets may need to keep Savard if they’re in postseason contention.

As such, Weibe writes, “Another player with term on his deal that could make sense for the Jets is Anaheim Ducks blue-liner Josh Manson.” Unlike the Blue Jackets and Predators, the Ducks are guaranteed to be sellers this season and it will simply be a matter of what they are comfortable moving. As for the Jets, Manson is an interesting target.

Related: Laine Likely to Ink Massive Extension With the Blue Jackets [Rumor]

"I think they need to swing for the fences with this one" – @snseanreynolds

Could you see Mattias Ekholm or Josh Manson with the @NHLJets at the trade deadline? @WiebesWorld and @snseanreynolds think the Jets need an upgrade on the blueline, do you?! ⬇️? pic.twitter.com/5MDOwZgNP5

— The Rod Pedersen Show (@RodPedersenShow) March 22, 2021

He’s 29 and has one season left at $4.1 million but he’s also run into recent injury troubles and that’s concerning for the Jets. While Winnipeg has some expiring contracts that make it possible to add a player with term, they also want someone who will help them make a push now.

At the same time, the Ducks have been said to opposed to moving Manson and that they really like the player.

A Second Backup Plan?

Wiebe notes that a backup name to monitor is Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres. With the Eric Staal trade and talk about Taylor Hall being moved, the Sabres are selling and the Jets have shown interest in Ristolainen previously. If the price has come down on the blueliner, he could be an option.

Wiebe writes:

Ristolainen endured an incredibly tough bout with COVID-19 and he’s the type of guy who could benefit from a fresh start and a new situation, similar to the place Tyler Myers found himself back in 2015 before he was included in the trade for Evander Kane.

And, if both of those plans fail and the Vancouver Canucks are out of the running, expect the Jets to kick tires on Travis Hamonic.

All in all, the Jets need help at the very top of their defense corps and they know it. Most scribes who cover the team extensively think the Jets might swing for the fences one more time and add a piece before the deadline in the hopes they can make another playoff run in 2021.

Next: 5 NHL Trades That Just Became Likely With Reduced Quarantine Rules