The Jets hold a six-point lead over Dallas for first in the Western Conference, so you can expect them to go big-game hunting ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.
The Winnipeg Jets have levied one of the best starts to a season in NHL history into a massive lead for first place in the Western Conference and top seed heading into the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at what the Jets can add at the trade deadline to give them the best possible shot at a long playoff run.
2025 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker: Latest moves, updates and rumours
Targets
The Jets have an elite top line, a solid defensive core, arguably the best third-line in the league and undoubtedly this year’s Vezina Trophy winner in Connor Hellebuyck. So, what do they need to add? In a perfect world, a bonafide No. 2 centre completes this roster.
Brock Nelson is a dream target, but there will be a lot of competition. Nelson has managed to be a 20-goal scorer on an Islanders team that struggles offensively and he’s a responsible penalty-killer with a career-high 52.8 face-off winning percentage.
An off-the-board pickup could be Josh Norris from Ottawa. He’s a bit of a reclamation project after injuries derailed the start of his career, but he’s already hit 20 goals this season and he was a 35-goal scorer a few years ago. Plus, if it works out, Winnipeg has a 25-year-old centre signed longterm, so it solves their 2C question for good.
If the Jets want to stick with Vladislav Namestnikov as their 2C, they could pivot to landing a player like Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who is winning nearly 60 per cent of his draws this season. His $5 million cap hit is pricey for a bottom-six centre, but if the Islanders are willing to retain some money, he provides cost certainty for next year.
First round picks
Winnipeg has their first-round draft picks in 2025 and 2026 to play with. Next year’s draft is projected to be stronger, so the 2025 pick is almost certainly going to be moved.
Elias Salomonsson is a non-starter unless you’re talking about an impact player signed longterm. Salomonsson is playing over 20 minutes a night in his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose and it’s expected he’ll be the face of the Jets blue line in a few years.
Brayden Yager is a more likely trade chip to get dealt. He has 74 points in 48 WHL games this season and he’s a strong two-way centre. Yager came over in the Rutger McGroarty trade and genuinely seems like he wants to play in Winnipeg, so the Jets won’t move him unless it makes sense for the future.
