Kevin Cheveldayoff, the General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets, faces a plethora of decisions in the offseason.
Among the intriguing choices is the management of the team’s defensive depth chart.
If Dylan Samberg signs a lengthy contract this summer, the defensive core for the Jets will likely comprise Samberg, Neal Pionk, Josh Morrissey, and Dylan DeMelo.
The situation becomes more intriguing thereafter. Colin Miller, Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, and Ville Heinola are all under contract for another year. Additionally, the future of Haydn Fleury and Elias Salomonsson adds complexity to the team’s defensive lineup.
While Winnipeg’s defensive prospects may not be abundant, there is currently no urgent need for reinforcements. The question arises whether it’s time to give players like Stanley and Heinola a chance to establish themselves in the NHL elsewhere.
With Stanley nearing unrestricted free agency and Heinola having more time before reaching that stage, Cheveldayoff must determine if trading these young veterans for assets that align better with the team’s timeline is a viable option.
It might be prudent to make such moves, especially considering the potential further decline in the players’ value in the upcoming seasons.
