Reconsider?

By: Mike Rifkin

The Winnipeg Jets are one of the more intriguing teams in the NHL this upcoming offseason. Centers Pierre – Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele, Winger Blake Wheeler, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have one year left on their contracts. 

Last week I wrote about how the Jets should approach this offseason (https://thesportsinsanitynetwork.com/2023/06/05/failure-to-launch/), and it all hinges on Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets have said, based on these potential moves, they wouldn’t be going through a rebuild, but is that the right approach? 

According to multiple reports, Hellebuyck is unwilling to sign an extension with the Jets, and Dubois has requested a trade. What they do with Wheeler, Scheifele, and Nino Niederreiter is to be determined, but the Jets must figure out their direction soon. If Hellebuyck is going to be moved, they have to consider the rebuild option.

Now they have pieces there for a new core. Kyle Connor has five 30-plus goal seasons and is under contract through 2026-27 at 7.14 million dollars per season. Josh Morrisey is under contract through 2028-29 at 6.25 million dollars per season. Adam Lowry is under contract through 2026-27 at 3.25 million dollars per season. Cole Perfetti is still on his entry-level contract. 

With all the news surrounding the Jets, they should consider a mini rebuild or retool on the fly. Another reason they should look into this is simple. The Central Division is a nightmare. The Stars just played in the Western Conference Finals and have the bulk of that team returning; the Avalanche won the Cup last year and still possess one of the best rosters in the NHL; the Wild have a solid team. The Blues and Predators are expected to be active during free agency and have draft capital they can use to make moves. The Blackhawks will draft Connor Bedard first overall and have plenty of cap space to use, and the Coyotes have draft capital and could make some fascinating moves. The Jets have been in the middle for years, and that is the worst place to be. If they decide to rebuild, as much as the fans might not like it, at least the team will have some direction. Again this is not a blow to the core situation. It’s just where everything lies in Winnipeg, and they have some decisions to make.