The Winnipeg Jets started the year 15-1-0 and haven’t looked back since. Their 11-3-1 record, over their last 15-game segment, has included an 11-game winning streak sandwiched between back-to-back losses.
At the beginning of February, I wrote an article outlining the strengths and potential weaknesses on the Jets roster. Winnipeg doesn’t have any glaring holes in their lineup, but the two areas that continue to stand out for me are their results in the face-off circle and their success rate on the penalty-kill, so I expect them to try to address those needs before the trade deadline this week.
If the Jets are looking to upgrade their lineup, it will cost them some draft capital and prospects. Here’s a look at what Winnipeg has to offer teams in trade:
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Watch Hockey Central Trade Deadline on Sportsnet
Sportsnet’s hockey news breakers, analysts and reporters will have coast-to-coast coverage of all the moves made ahead of this season’s NHL trade deadline. Full coverage on March 7 begins at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
PROSPECTS
The Jets have some intriguing prospects in their system. It’s difficult to imagine anyone being untouchable if the team feels they are acquiring significant upgrades in a middle-six forward or middle/bottom pairing defender, but it would certainly leave a future void if they included any of these names in a deal this week.
Elias Salomonsson, D, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds
Salomonsson is a rookie who is developing in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. The Jets selected Salomonsson in the second round (55th overall) at the 2022 draft in Montreal. He’s being deployed in all situations with the Moose and averaging over 20 minutes per game ice time
Salomonsson is a two-way defenceman and solid skater who possesses secondary offensive upside. He has a quick and accurate release from long range and has produced three goals and 16 assists so far this year. I appreciate his agility when walking the offensive blue line to open up shooting or passing lanes.
He’s adjusting to the smaller ice surface in North America, compared to Europe, and providing generally reliable defensive detail. I would like to see him gap up and play more physical at times, or use his long reach to kill more zone entries and contain opponents to the perimeter, but it takes time to develop and he’s still very young. Salomonsson doesn’t turn 21 until August.
Right shot defencemen are highly coveted assets. I’m positive teams will be inquiring about Salomonsson in trade discussions. He has significant upside and could end up a top four NHL defenceman for several years.
NHL Projection: A potential top four, two-way defenceman who can be used in all situations and provide secondary offence.
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Real Kyper’s Trade Board
Hockey Insider Nick Kypreos shares the latest intel on players who could be on the move ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
Brayden Yager, F, 6-foot, 170 pounds
The Jets did well to acquire Yager from the Pittsburgh Penguins in an off-season trade that sent former Jets first-round pick Rutger McGroarty to the Pens. Yager was originally selected 14th overall by Pittsburgh in 2023.
Yager’s game has evolved over the course of his four-year career in the WHL. When he first entered the league, I viewed him as more of a shooter than playmaker or play driver. He was named the WHL, and CHL, rookie of the year in 2022 after producing 34 goals and 25 assists. The following year he flipped the script offensively, producing more assists than goals (28 goals, 50 assists) and continues to display a knack for distributing the puck and driving play in transition. So far this year he has contributed 24 goals and 41 assists split between Moose Jaw and Lethbridge.
Yager was the captain of Team Canada at the World Juniors in Ottawa. The tournament didn’t produce the result Canadian fans were hoping for but Yager, in my opinion, was one of the more consistent forwards for Canada. He was tasked with matching up against top six forwards and used in a primary penalty-killing role. He chipped in three assists in five games.
I value the trajectory of Yager’s overall game. His skating is more powerful than it has ever been and his three-zone commitment is sound. He needs to add more weight and strength for the NHL game and will need a year in the AHL to adjust to the pro game, but I project Yager as a solution to the middle six / second line center position the Jets are searching for.
NHL Projection: A potential top-six forward who can be a shooter and a distributor while playing in all situations.
Brad Lambert, F, 6-foot, 183 pounds
The Jets selected Lambert with the 30th pick of the first round at the 2022 draft. His speed and skill have always stood out amongst his peer group but his development encountered some hurdles in North America. Lambert was challenged to round out his game by the Jets organization and sent to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds during his rookie campaign at the AHL level with the Moose. He made the move to full-time center and it has agreed with him. The freedom of having the entire length, and width, of the ice to manoeuvre fits his skill set.
The Moose have had a tough season. They currently sit last in the Central Division with a record of 18-30-1-2. Predictably, Lambert has taken a step back offensively this year compared to last. He produced 21 goals and 34 assists last season but so far this year he has contributed just four goals and 21 assists in 42 AHL games. Lambert has one assist in five NHL games this season.
The good news is Lambert has one goal and five assists in his most recent 10-game segment in the AHL. He’s averaging just shy of 17 minutes per game ice time. All of his shifts come at either even strength or on the power-play.
NHL Projection: A potential middle-six forward who could get some time on the power play.
Colby Barlow, F, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds
Winnipeg selected Barlow 18th overall in 2023. He’s a power style goal scorer who’s currently playing for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL.
Barlow is a player that seemed to physically mature before most of his peer group. He’s been a goal scorer at the OHL level since he entered the league. He’s contributed 30 goals and 24 assists this season and averages over 21 minutes per game. Barlow is deployed in all situations with the Generals, including on five-on-three penalty-killing. Over the course of his junior career he has posted 146 goals in 222 games played.
Barlow’s skating is an area that I have been monitoring closely. He’s deceptive in open ice and gets from point A to point B on time. Here’s a clip displaying his edge work and explosiveness. Most times the puck ends up in the back of the net when Barlow creates this kind of scoring chance. What impresses me is the fact that he is turning and exploding from his weak side in the sequence. He’s worked hard to improve his turns and overall agility.
NHL Projection: A potential middle six goal scorer who has the IQ to be deployed in a variety of roles.
DRAFT CAPITAL
Winnipeg has always strategized building their organization through a “draft and develop” model. They prefer home-grown talent over competing for players via free agency or trying to convince a player to waive his no trade clause to come to Winnipeg. The Jets have worked hard to build a culture on and off the ice in Winnipeg. It’s an “all for one and one for all” environment.
Here’s a look at Winnipeg’s draft board for the next three cycles:
The Jets currently sit atop the NHL standings with a 42-15-4 record. Their 2025 first-round pick could end up being the last pick in the first-round if all goes according to plan this spring. The depth of the upcoming draft class isn’t elite. It’s solid but not exceptional. If there was ever a time to sacrifice a first-round pick in a trade that assists with improving the small holes on the current roster, it’s this year.
