How The Winnipeg Jets Can Fix Their D-Core

   

To start off, I would like to say where their defense core went all wrong. The Winnipeg Jets had a very mediocre defense core last season and then this season it has just not been very good. 

One needs to think about the quality of talent that the Winnipeg Jets lost, they lost Jacob Trouba who was a great offensive defenseman at the tail end of his career in Winnipeg. In his final season in the Peg, he had a career-high of 50 points that season. The American defender, Trouba, was traded for reasons that aren’t one hundred percent confirmed but I believe it was due to dispute over contract terms and some degrading chemistry with his teammates. The Jets acquired Neal Pionk and the 20th overall selection in the 2019 Draft which they originally had but traded it back to the Rangers for Kevin Hayes.

The Jets also lost Tyler Myers, a former Calder winner, who was a crucial second-pairing defenseman for the team in his five years in the organization. The 6”8’ defender was acquired by the Jets in the Evander Kane deal, which sent Myers along with first-rounder (Jack Roslovic), Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, and Brendan Lemieux for the aforementioned Kane, Bogosian, and Jason Kasdorf. Winnipeg lost Myers in free agency after signing a 5 year 6 million dollar contract with the Vancouver Canucks.

Yet another one of the defensemen that the Jets just couldn't keep around was Ben Chariot who was a solid bottom pairing defenseman who could eat up minutes when needed. A punishing defender, Chariot, signed with the Montreal Canadiens this past offseason.  

To make matters worse, an integral part of their d-core was also lost in Dustin Byfuglien. Big Buff voluntarily sat out this season and has his contract terminated by the team after failing to report to team doctors or training camp. The hard-hitting defenseman played parts of eight seasons for the Jets and put up over 350 points for the team.

Those are the problems, here are four solutions for the Winnipeg Jets to improve their D-Core. 

1.  Free Agency

One candidate that I would love to see in a Jets Uniform is Calgary Flames defender Troy Brodie. Brodie is a pending UFA and his previous Cap Hit was 4.3 Million Dollars. Troy Brodie is a perfect two-way defender who would slot in perfectly with either Pionk or Dylan DeMelo. Brodie had 19 points on a struggling Calgary Flames team that just couldn't hit their stride. 

Another possible candidate is Toronto Maple Leafs defender Tyson Barrie. Signing Barrie might put the Jets in a cap-crunch considering they need to sign a 2nd line center as well. The former 3rd round pick would ask between $5-6 million, a price potentially too steep for the Jets. Under Head Coach Mike Babcock, Barrie was evidently struggling but seemed to catch lightning after the firing of Babs, and the hiring of Sheldon Keefe.

2. In The System

The Jets have some impressive defensive prospects in the minors and in Europe, including the likes Dylan Samberg, Ville Heinola, Simon Lundmark, Declan Chisholm, and Giovanni Vallati ( Prospect Profiles too come). 

3. Draft

The Jets could potentially acquire a future defensive prospect depending on how well they do in these playoffs. If they get a late first I would recommend maybe Jeremie Poirier or Kaiden Guhle. If it is an early draft pick then they should pick a centerman like Connor Zary or Anton Lundell. Then if it's an early pick they could and should go for a defenseman in the 2nd round. Some possible options are Justin Barron and Mitch Miller. 

4. Trade

The final option for the Jets to improve their D-Core is via a trade. A good option would be an under-performing player such as Shayne Gostisbehere who’s seen his point production drop by more than half over two seasons, but with a high return prospective. Another feasible option would be to take on a more veteran defenseman, for example, Marc-Edouard Vlasic with a 50% salary retention. This course of action would add depth to their blueline without hurting their wallet.

~Brody Neufeld, BTH