DALLAS — They went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NHL.
They clawed back after allowing the first goal, building a 2-1 lead before eventually falling behind 3-2 in the latter stages of the third period on a nifty individual effort from Mikko Rantanen.
As it turns out, the Winnipeg Jets weren’t ready for another regulation defeat, finding a way to score with the goalie on the bench for an extra attacker for the first time all season (after giving up 10 empty-net goals).
JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Logan Stanley (left) scored the equalizer late Monday against the Dallas Stars. The Jets banked a valuable point by pushing overtime.
In the three-on-three session, Jets centre Mark Scheifele cruised in on a breakaway with the game on his stick, only to be thwarted by Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger.
Back came the Stars and there was Thomas Harley potting the OT winner, just like he did in Game 6 of the second round series last May.
This time, the tough loss didn’t send the Jets home for the summer. But in leaving a valuable point on the table, the Jets uphill climb to stay in the Western Conference playoff chase took another shot to the gut.
Instead of making up ground, the Jets rally was just good enough to remain within nine points of the second wild-card berth.
The Jets are back in action on Wednesday at Canada Life Centre in what will be the final game before the Olympic break.
With the NHL roster freeze set to kick in at 2 p.m. CT on Wednesday and running until 10:59 p.m. CT on Feb. 24, all signs point to the Jets big decisions coming in the days leading up to the Mar. 6 NHL trade deadline (barring a phone call, of course).
The issue Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is faced with is a complex one.
Having watched the team he constructed put together a 7-3-3 record during the past 13 games, recency bias might encourage him to give this group a chance to sort things out during the final 27 games of the regular season.
The issue there is that there are eight pending unrestricted free agents on the active roster, which means there could be an opportunity to recoup some of the draft capital that was used on previous runs.
When Cheveldayoff has said in the past that he needs to have one eye on the present and one eye on the future, this is when he needs to take his own advice.
No, that doesn’t mean holding a full-on fire sale.
What it does mean is finding the best packages available for the bulk of those pending UFAs — at least the ones he can’t sign to a contract extension prior to the Mar. 6 deadline.
While it’s important to remember the Jets have exclusive negotiating rights until July 1, Cheveldayoff can’t really run the risk of waiting things out like he did with Nikolaj Ehlers last summer.
JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
There are rumblings that Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews plans to discuss waiving his no-movement clause during the NHL Olympic break.
One of the big decisions that is on the horizon revolves around defenceman Logan Stanley — knowing that he’s on the verge of becoming a UFA for the first time in his career.
Stanley was in an unfamiliar situation on Monday night, tapped on the shoulder by head coach Scott Arniel to jump over the boards with the Jets looking for the equalizer and the net empty.
“He’s earned the opportunity to be out there,” said Arniel.
Stanley wasn’t just out there, he made an impact on the outcome, pinching down and directing a shot toward the net that changed direction off Rantanen and beat Oettinger with 1:43 to go in regulation time for what was his ninth goal of the season.
‘He’s done a really good job this year of contributing a ton of offence for us.’
“You can see some of the stuff he’s really been working on, creating chances coming down the wall, the poise with the puck,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry, asked about the offensive growth Stanley has shown this season. “I know it was a fortunate bounce on the goal, but to get it through, to get that lane, he’s done a really good job this year of contributing a ton of offence for us.”
That offence Stanley has contributed — even with the unsustainable shooting percentage heater he’s been on — would be difficult to replace. But he’s going to be attractive to a number of contenders given his US$1.25 million contract.
The Detroit Red Wings are believed to be one of several contenders that might have some interest, which makes sense when you consider they’re preparing for their first foray back into the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2016.
Defenceman Luke Schenn and winger Tanner Pearson (who has scored all seven of his goals at even strength) are guys with championship pedigree that should garner some interest.
On that front, Winnipegger Jonathan Toews is an intriguing candidate as well.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that the Jets and Toews’ representatives plan to discuss the prospect of him waiving his no-movement clause during the Olympic break.
Although Toews’ offensive numbers have dipped after a strong start coming out of the Christmas break, he would be appealing to teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning — two of the clubs that showed interest during the summer before the three-time Stanley Cup champion chose to sign with his hometown team.
Part of Toews’ motivation for coming back was to take another run at a title and for a guy who hasn’t appeared in the playoffs since 2020, there would probably be some appeal to join a team with a little more secure spot in the standings.
JULIO CORTEZ / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck hit the ice after giving up the game-winning goal to the Dallas Stars during overtime in Monday’s game in Dallas.
Cole Koepke has found his game in the second half, adding some important offensive contributions on the fourth line to his ferocious forechecking and physical play.
Koepke’s willingness to go to the hard areas and secondary scoring ability will appeal to playoff teams looking to add depth, though you could make the case those qualities are why the Jets might want to extend him as well.
Despite not scoring in 34 games this season, Gustav Nyquist has been moved prior to the deadline on three prior occasions, so it’s possible he could be dealt again, even as an insurance policy.
Defenceman Colin Miller remains sidelined with a knee issue, though he should be healthy before the end of the regular season. And given the league-wide shortage of right-handed shooting blue-liners with playoff experience, don’t be surprised to see him attract attention.
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Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
That brings us to goalie Eric Comrie, who is playing his best hockey of the season, having allowed a total of three goals during his past three starts.
Comrie is an obvious candidate for an extension, but you can also expect teams looking for goaltending depth to be calling to check on his availability.
Whether or not Cheveldayoff considers other moves for players with term on their contracts remains to be seen, but there’s enough evidence to say with authority that this roster needs an upgrade in talent moving forward.
That’s what makes the next month and change so important in determining the direction of the Jets’ franchise.
winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe
Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.
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