The Winnipeg Jets and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff don't often find themselves associated with NHL trade rumors - even less often do they find themselves the subject, or at the center of, such rumors.
But it seems that the recent lower-body injury suffered by forward Evander Kane, which will sideline him until at least February, coupled with the team's currently tenuous grasp on a playoff spot, has forced Cheveldayoff's hand when it comes to the trade front.
"They were already looking to try and add a forward after trading for a defenseman right before the Christmas break, but that need before the break was for more of a Top-9 nine guy, like a third line player. That need now, with the injury to Kane, has changed," said TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun on a recent episode of Edmonton's TSN 1260 as transcribed by NicholsOnHockey.com.
The team, already facing a plethora of injuries to their blueline, traded for depth defenseman Jay Harrison earlier this month.
Now, with Kane's injury and the team's already limited offensive production - they're currently 22nd in the league in goals per game (2.49) and 21st in power play conversion percentage (16.5) - and the fact that they're in the lead for an NHL Wild Card spot, has pushed Cheveldayoff to amp up his search and switch his focus to acquiring a top-6 forward.
"If there's any way, and they're scouring the market as we speak, if there's any way in the next few weeks to add a Top-6 forward, that would be the plan for the Winnipeg Jets because they want to get in," said LeBrun. "They haven't played a playoff game yet since they moved to Winnipeg. They believe in the mojo that they've got going right now, and they want to capitalize on it. I'll look for him, I think Cheveldayoff will try to make a move."
Sitting at 19-11-7 after 37 games, the Jets are very much still in the postseason picture. For Winnipeg fans desperate for a playoff appearance, the hope is surely that Cheveldayoff can pull off some type of deal to improve the team's position for a potential Stanley Cup run.
