A hopeful Dallas Stars fan holds up a sign trying to recruit Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley amidst NHL trade deadline rumors, right as he delivers a hit on a Stars player.
The writing isn’t just on the wall for the Winnipeg Jets; it’s practically painted on the ice at the Canada Life Centre. Sitting 10 points out of a Wild Card spot, the reality is stark: this is a lost season. But for General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, the failure of the collective group presents a unique, urgent opportunity regarding one specific player.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, massive defenseman Logan Stanley is “very likely” to be moved before the deadline. It sounds counterintuitive—why trade a 26-year-old approaching his prime who is finally having a breakout season? The answer lies not in his performance, but in the dangerous economics of his next contract. With zero formal negotiations taking place, the silence speaks volumes. The Jets aren’t just looking to sell; they are looking to avoid a cap disaster, and Stanley’s sudden offensive explosion has created the perfect storm to maximize a return.
If you have been watching the Winnipeg Jets closely this season, you know this isn’t the same Logan Stanley we saw struggling for ice time three years ago. We are finally seeing the player the Jets envisioned when they drafted him. He has transformed from a depth piece into a legitimate full-time presence on the blueline.
The numbers don’t lie. Stanley has shattered his personal bests, posting eight goals and 17 points in 52 games. For context, he had never scored more than a single goal in any previous season. He is averaging 16:32 of ice time—a full minute higher than his career average—and has even earned trust on the power play.
The “Chara Effect” and Market Value
Here is where the expert insight comes in: In the modern NHL, you cannot teach size. At 6’7″, Stanley brings a physical element that becomes currency in the playoffs. He has 83 hits, 62 blocks, and a career-high 95 penalty minutes this season. Playoff contenders are obsessed with “heavy” hockey, and they will overpay for a defenseman who can clear the crease and drop the gloves.
However, the Jets have a math problem. Stanley is currently on a sweetheart deal ($1.25M AAV), but rumors suggest his camp is eyeing a raise in the $4M to $5M range.
Let’s be honest: Is Logan Stanley a $5 million defenseman? On a contending team with a strict cap structure, probably not. While his 8 goals are impressive, shooting percentages for defensive defensemen tend to regress. If Winnipeg signs him to a long-term deal at that number, it could become an anchor the moment his offensive production dips back to normal levels.
Why Selling High is the Only Move
Pagnotta reports that “there is going to be a lot of interest” due to his current cap hit. This is the definition of asset management. The Jets have a player whose value is at an all-time high, playing on an expiring contract, demanding a salary that doesn’t fit the team’s long-term restructure.
By trading him now, Winnipeg targets a contender desperate for size (think Dallas, Edmonton, or Detroit). They can likely fetch a 2nd round pick and a prospect—a return that was unimaginable for Stanley just 12 months ago. It will hurt to lose the physicality, but keeping him and overpaying, or losing him for nothing in free agency, would be the far greater error.
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