{"id":456088,"date":"2026-02-12T21:57:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T21:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/456088\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T21:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T21:57:28","slug":"trade-deadline-primer-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/456088\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade Deadline Primer: Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that the Olympic break is out of the way, the NHL is sliding right back into chaos with the trade deadline almost here. And the Jets? They\u2019re in a weird spot. Last year, they looked like they were building toward something big after snagging the Presidents\u2019 Trophy. This year\u2026 not so much. Things just never clicked, and now they\u2019re one of those teams everyone expects to sell a bit and reset.<\/p>\n

The Jets\u2019 Status at the Trade Deadline: Sellers<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s call it what it is: the Jets aren\u2019t making the playoffs unless something wild happens. Sitting at 22-26-8 with basically no momentum, and with their playoff odds down around five percent, it\u2019s pretty clear where this is heading. They\u2019ve got veterans on expiring deals<\/a>, they\u2019re below .500, and there\u2019s no real reason to push all-in just to maybe sneak in. Selling isn\u2019t giving up\u2014it\u2019s just being realistic about where things are right now.<\/p>\n

Jets\u2019 Salary Cap Space<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one advantage Winnipeg has going into the deadline, it\u2019s money to play with. They\u2019ve got around $17.44 million in space, which is a ton at this time of year. And because they haven\u2019t used any retention slots yet, they can get creative. Want to retain salary to bump up a return? Easy. Want to help a couple of other teams make a deal happen and grab an extra pick? Sure. They actually have room to do things other teams can\u2019t, which puts them in a sneaky good position for a team that\u2019s selling.<\/p>\n

Jets\u2019 Trade Chips<\/p>\n

The Jets do have pieces that teams will ask about. Here are the three most likely subjects:<\/p>\n

Logan Stanley<\/a> is probably at the top of that list. He\u2019s a UFA, he\u2019s having his best season, and he\u2019s huge. Big defencemen who are playing well always get attention. Wouldn\u2019t be shocking if multiple teams start circling.<\/p>\n

Luke Schenn<\/a> hasn\u2019t had the smoothest year, but GMs love veterans who block shots and don\u2019t complain about their role. Someone always talks themselves into a guy like him.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Toews<\/a> is interesting. The offence has dipped, but he can still help on draws and in tight playoff games. If he\u2019s open to waiving his clause, there will absolutely be teams calling.<\/p>\n

\"JonathanJonathan Toews, of the Winnipeg Jets.<\/p>\n

Gustav Nyquist<\/a> hasn\u2019t been lighting it up, but he\u2019s still a depth scorer who might appeal to a contender looking for a low-risk add.<\/p>\n

What Are They Buying?<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, it\u2019s pretty clear what Winnipeg needs. Like a lot of other teams, they need a legit second-line center and more scoring help, especially in that middle part of the lineup. They hoped Toews could fill some of that gap, but it just didn\u2019t pan out the way they expected. They need someone who can take pressure off their top guys and spread the offence around a bit.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line for the Jets<\/p>\n

The Jets aren\u2019t in the spot they wanted to be, but this deadline is actually a chance to reset the whole picture. Move the right veterans, stock up on assets, and suddenly next season doesn\u2019t look so far away. It\u2019s not the exciting \u201cbig push\u201d scenario fans love, but it might be exactly what they need right now.<\/p>\n

Related: Winnipeg Jets: Tough Year, but a Big Bounce-Back Coming?<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

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