Welcome to this latest edition of NHL Rumours at Last Word On Hockey. In this edition, the onus will be on the Winnipeg Jets and their trade deadline plans. In particular, two veteran defencemen could have become available, according to the latest chatter.

NHL Rumours: Jets Could Be Looking to Deal Veteran Blueliners as Team Gives Up on Season

Rumour: The Winnipeg Jets could be ready to deal two veteran defencemen at the trade deadline this season. According to insider David Pagnotta, Winnipeg could be looking to deal Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley.

Analysis: These NHL Rumours make sense as the Jets are pretty much out of the playoff chase at this point. While they haven’t officially raised the white flag on the season, that moment could come soon. Pagnotta declared that Stanley and Schenn could be on the move before the trade deadline in a January 28th piece in the Fourth Period.

“The Winnipeg Jets are expected to move Luke Schenn at some point before the trade deadline. He probably won’t be the only blueliner the team moves, as sources suggest to me that Logan Stanley is also a very likely candidate to be traded this season.”

The reasons for the moves are relatively straightforward. In Schenn’s case, NHL Rumours have picked up, as he’s an impending unrestricted free agent. The 36-year-old is finalising a three-year deal originally signed with the Nashville Predators.

Last season, the Predators moved Schenn to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who then flipped him to the Jets. He has been in Winnipeg this season, playing 40 games, scoring one goal and six points.

As for Stanley, Pagnotta stated that the Jets have not initiated negotiations on a contract extension. The 27-year-old is in the final year of a two-deal contract with a salary cap hit of $1.25 million. He has notched eight goals and 17 points in 53 games this season.

Plenty of Teams Looking for Blueline Depth

One of the major themes this season has been the search for blueline depth. Numerous teams are looking for solid defenders with affordable cap hits. That’s what makes Stanley and Scheen popular in recent NHL trade rumours.

Schenn was a part of Toronto Maple Leafs rumours for a while. But considering how the Maple Leafs are ready to sell, that situation could change.

Stanley, for his part, hasn’t really seem close to any teams at this point. Clubs like the Detroit Red Wings have been looking for help on defence, but it’s unclear if they’ll be kicking the tires on Stanley.

NHL Rumours should pick up in the coming weeks. Despite the Olympic hiatus that starts February 4th, teams should be working in the background to determine who could become available at the trade deadline following the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Teams looking to bolster their depth could look at Schenn and Stanley. The Jets, meanwhile, will be in the thick of things as they likely sell off whatever they can and retool for next season. Winnipeg is nine points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot and doesn’t look like it will have enough runway to make up the difference.

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