Winnipeg Jets Trade Rumors: Ondrej Pavelec & Dustin Byfuglien
Dec 23, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth (94) screens Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (31) while Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) defends during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Winnipeg Jets Trade Rumors: Could Ondrej Pavelec Land on the Trade Block Upon Return From Injury? Dustin Byfuglien Rumors Won’t Go Away
Many of the latest Winnipeg Jets trade rumors have swirled around Dustin Byfuglien and Travis Hamonic. It doesn’t sound like GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is willing to part ways with Jacob Trouba or Tyler Myers in an attempt to acquire him. As for Byfuglien, it’s starting to sound as if Winnipeg is unwilling to offer the length of term he’s seeking.
Nov 18, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) celebrates the victory with defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) against the Vancouver Canucks at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Winnipeg shouldn’t have a problem finding trade partners interested in Dustin Byfuglien, but most suitors will want to make sure he can be secured long-term before making any deal. Byfuglien is 30-years-old, carrying a $5.2 million dollar cap hit for 2015-16. He owns a modified no-trade clause, in which he can submit a 5-team no trade list at the beginning of each season. Winnipeg currently (Dec.4) holds more cap space than any other team with $11,504,170, putting them in an advantageous position for any potential trade.
Recently, the Jets lost their starting goaltender Ondrej Pavelec to injury, forcing Michael Hutchinson into the starter’s role. Winnipeg called up top goaltending prospect Connor Hellebuyck to backup Hutchinson. Michael Hutchinson had a few rough outings proceeding the Pavelec injury, prompting coach Paul Maurice to give young Connor Hellebuyck his first taste of NHL action. In two short games, Hellebuyck has provided a pair of excellent performances. This should come as little surprise given the performance he displayed at this past spring’s World Championships leading Team USA. It’s a small sample size at two games, but it may be time to start considering life without Ondrej Pavelec.
Pavelec carries a $3.9 million dollar cap hit, and is signed through 2016-17. He’s been with this organization since its losing days in Atlanta, showing improvement over time. He delivered a career-best performance in 2014-15, helping Winnipeg secure a playoff spot. But if there’s one thing we learnt from that playoff performance, it’s that Ondrej Pavelec isn’t the type of guy who can lead a team, and steal a playoff round. Pavelec is more of a 1A type of goalie, rather than a starter. The combination of Pavelec and Hutchinson makes for a quality tandem that can win you a lot of games. But, if you can’t get it done come postseason, it’s all for nothing.
Nov 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The evaluation window for Michael Hutchinson is still ongoing, with the jury still out on whether or not he projects to be a starter or 1A type goalie. Scouts have projected Connor Hellebuyck to be a quality starter, with the possibility of a 1A type netminder at worst. If you’re already featuring a pair of 1A goalies, and the worst case scenario with Hutchinson and Hellebuyck projects to be the same, why not move forward with the young duo?
People tend to forget that Winnipeg has another young man named Eric Comrie in the goaltending prospect mix, who also projects to be a decent netminder. You won’t win Stanley Cup’s in the NHL by playing it safe, sometimes as a GM, you need to roll the dice in certain scenarios.
Since Winnipeg has a wealth of cap space, accompanied with a fairly deep and talented team, the best case scenario in any trade would be upgrades. The Jets could potentially explore defensive upgrades, although prospect Josh Morrissey projects be a top four defenseman, and could be a full-time NHL’er in 2016-17. If Winnipeg is forced to replace Dustin Byfuglien, the Jets will need more than Josh Morrissey to fill that void. Up front, Winnipeg has some very skilled pieces, although they lack true elite talent. Instead, it’s a team full of border-line elite talent (Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Bryan Little, etc.), but Winnipeg lacks a true sniper or goal-scorer.
*any stats were obtained from NHL.com, while any contract/salary numbers were obtained from generalfanager
Next: Dustin Byfuglien/Ondrej Pavelec Trade Scenarios
Oct 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) skates during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Winnipeg Jets Trade Rumors: Ondrej Pavelec and Dustin Byfuglien Trade Scenarios
Boston Bruins
Sep 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) looks for the puck during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
There’d be no reason for Boston to target another goaltender, but the B’s could use an edgy defender such as Dustin Byfuglien to help fill that void left by Milan Lucic. For several years, the Bruins were considered the scariest and toughest team to play against. Boston still has a few tough customers, but they’d love to have a guy like Byfuglien to replace the aging Zdeno Chara.
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien to Boston for Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, and Alex Khokhlachev
Why not flip a couple pending free agents? At least that way, both teams get an opportunity to extend the player, if wanted. I’m sure Jets fans would want more than listed above, and it’s possible. The reason a deal could end looking something like this is because Winnipeg would need a defender of some sort in return. Khokhlachev is a small skilled-forward, but has struggled to find an identity with the Bruins. A change of scenery might be what this talented prospect needs.
Calgary Flames
Nov 5, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Jiri Hudler (24) skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Calgary knows what they have in Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller, and Joni Ortio. If they had any hopes of seeing what Jon Gillies could do, that hope is now gone with the recent announcement of his season-ending injury. The Flames could be destined to be pick in the lottery draft, but it doesn’t change the fact that all hopes are on the shoulders of two prospects (Jon Gillies and Mason McDonald) moving forward.
Winnipeg Trades Ondrej Pavelec to Calgary for Mason Raymond, Jiri Hudler, and a prospect/or draft pick
Price tag sounds a little steep? Let’s not forget that Hudler becomes a free agent next summer, while Raymond carries an expensive $3.15 million dollar cap hit that includes a no-trade clause. Mason Raymond has struggled to stay in the lineup, and would likely welcome an opportunity with a new team.
Jiri Hudler isn’t quite the elite talent Winnipeg requires, but more pure skill in the lineup would help the NHL’s most undisciplined team. The Jets would have a window to evaluate how Hudler fits in, at which point they could decide whether to extend him, or let him walk into free agency.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Oct 14, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (7) attempts to play the puck against Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) in the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Senators won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sergei Bobrovsky was the worst goaltender to open the 2015-16 season, but has since started to find his game. Columbus has been featuring Curtis McElhinney as their backup for a while now, but it may be time for an upgrade. If Bobrovsky has someone pushing him for time in the crease, they may get better performances from their elite starter. Most teams nowadays feature two quality goaltenders anyways.
To make any deal work between Winnipeg and Columbus, one would imagine the Blue Jackets would also be seeking a defensive upgrade. If the pair could find a way to make a deal including both Dustin Byfuglien and Ondrej Pavelec, we could have a blockbuster deal on the horizon. Let’s explore a Byfuglien trade scenario at least:
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Stuart to Columbus for Cam Atkinson, Jack Johnson, and Dalton Prout
Obviously, no team is touching Dustin Byfuglien unless they have confidence in signing him to an extension. In Columbus, Byfuglien could step in and immediately be a number one logging top minutes. The price-tag to extend him will be expensive, but there’s only one Dustin Byfuglien in the NHL. There’s no other player that plays with his edge, that boasts his versatility. He’s the type of player that could help push Columbus deep into the playoffs.
It’s a hefty price-tag for Columbus to pay, with small-skilled forward Cam Atkinson being among fan favorites. He’s a quality second-liner that would immediately push Drew Stafford down the depth chart. Jack Johnson has been the centerpiece of the Blue Jackets back-end for a while now, but his tenure has been a shaky one. Johnson currently boasts the worst plus minus of any player since entering the NHL. A change of scenery for Johnson would be ideal, plus he wouldn’t need to log as many minutes in Winnipeg. Think of it as a Dion Phaneuf type scenario, where Jack Johnson may be best utilized playing a few less minutes/game.
Detroit Red Wings
Nov 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) goes after the puck in the first period against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With over $5 million dollars in cap space, you can never count out Detroit from any big name sweepstakes. Imagine sticking Dustin Byfuglien in the red and white to help push for a Stanley Cup? Getting Byfuglien to extend in hockey town would likely prove to be relatively easy, that’s of course if Detroit would even be interested.
Detroit has the luxury of NHL ready prospects down in Grand Rapids, which puts them in an advantageous position to make upgrades, if they feel they can make a deep run. The Red Wings could easily move a forward or two, call up Anthony Mantha, and likely wouldn’t skip a beat. The tricky part is figuring out what Winnipeg would be asking for in return.
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien to Detroit for Brendan Smith, Joakim Andersson, and Riley Sheahan
Hefty price tag to acquire Byfuglien? Perhaps, but Brendan Smith never materialized into what was expected, and Joakim Andersson is more of a bottom six forward throw-in. Riley Sheahan is an excellent young forward Detroit would love to keep, but sometimes you have to give a bit to receive. Whether it be Sheahan, or some other player, there’s one particular Detroit player Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would target to make a deal possible.
Edmonton Oilers
Nov 25, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) watches the play against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
If there’s one team in the NHL that could use the services of Dustin Byfuglien, it’s the Edmonton Oilers. It’s a team on the verge of taking that next big step in development, but they lack that true number one defender that can log big minutes. If Peter Chiarelli thought he could extend Byfuglien long-term, there might be a deal here. It’s always a little easier to deal with opposite conference teams though.
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien to Edmonton for Nikita Nikitin, Jordan Eberle, prospect and/or draft pick
The extra prospect and/or draft pick would be very important pieces to make a deal possible here. This is a scenario where Winnipeg can get extra value in those additional pieces by relieving Edmonton of the Nikitin salary.
Jordan Eberle could immediately step in and fill a hole on the top-line with the type of productive winger they need. Blake Wheeler would be much better suited on a second-line role, while pushing Drew Stafford to the third-line.
New York Islanders
Nov 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic (3) works to keep the puck as Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) challenges during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
GM Garth Snow seems pretty comfortable with his goaltending duo of Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss. But if memory serves correct, some of Halak’s highlight seasons came when he had someone pushing him for minutes in the crease (Halak/Price in Montreal, Halak/Elliott in St.Louis). Pavelec could serve as a 1A option to Jaroslav Halak, making for a decent second if Halak falters in the playoffs.
If the Islanders had confidence in signing Dustin Byfuglien to an extension, New York and Winnipeg could pull off a blockbuster deal that would honor Travis Hamonic’s request of being close to home. Hamonic’s hometown is in Manitoba, Canada, just south of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien, Chris Thorburn, prospect and/or draft pick to NY Islanders for Travis Hamonic and Nikolay Kulemin
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Listen, Hamonic is a great defenseman locked in with solid term at a low cap hit, but those reasons don’t make him better than higher quality defenders, as some experts have suggested. The perception is that trading Hamonic for a pending FA would make zero sense, and perhaps that’s true. But, Dustin Byfuglien isn’t likely to be a rental. Any team trading for him will make extreme efforts to extend him. So ask yourself, would your attitude change if Byfuglien had long-term left on his contract?
Even if you still believe Hamonic garners more trade value, consider the fact that a deal resembling the above would consist of Winnipeg taking back an unwanted overpaid contract in Kulemin. The extra value that New York is generating from the trade above is solely due to the risk of absorbing an impending free agent.
Philadelphia Flyers
Oct 30, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) shoots the puck during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Philly could conceivably be interested in both Byfuglien and Pavelec. Although the interest in Pavelec could come further down the road when Michal Neuvirth reverts his play back to what we know him to be. Even if Neuvirth managed to stay consistent throughout the year, Steve Mason has been somewhat inconsistent and unreliable himself.
Dustin Byfuglien and the Philadelphia Flyers would be a perfect relationship, with a style of play suited for Philly’s rich history. The Flyers have a few too many NHL quality defenders on their roster, but lack that true number one. Mark Streit has been an excellent top pair defender, but he’s needs a little more talent to play with on the back-end. Dustin would likely be open to signing an extension in Philadelphia, but the Flyers have been a cap strapped team for a while now. For any deal to work between these two teams, Winnipeg would need to absorb some unwanted salary.
Winnipeg Trades Dustin Byfuglien and Adam Lowry to Philadelphia for Andrew MacDonald and Brayden Schenn
There’s nothing more Philadelphia would love then to rid themselves of the Andrew MacDonald contract. He’s making $5 million/year with the contract currently buried, and MacDonald in the AHL still counting for $4.05 million against the cap. Philly also has a luxury of several centers on its roster, with Schenn looking for a pay raise from his $2.5 million dollar cap hit next summer.
Adding a player such as Adam Lowry, Anthony Peluso, or Chris Thorburn could be enough to push a deal over the top. Lowry plays a hard-nosed tough style reminiscent of long-time Flyers teams, so he could be a natural fit. Instead of Schenn, the Flyers could offer pending free-agent Sam Gagner and Matt Read, but that might not be enough to interest Winnipeg.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Nov 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Roman Polak (46) skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Colorado 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto would probably love to have Dustin Byfuglien, but he simply wouldn’t work there because of their plan, and the money/term. Ondrej Pavelec isn’t exactly ideal to their plans either, but the Maple Leafs weren’t expecting a goaltending issue. Pavelec wouldn’t be a long-term solution for Toronto, but simply a short-term answer while they find their goalie of the future.
The re-build plan in Toronto was given a lengthy timetable for completion, but if there’s one thing we’ve learnt in today’s NHL, it’s that teams can get very good rather quickly. We saw it with the Calgary Flames last season, and we’re seeing it again with Arizona and New Jersey in 2015-16. The first step to earning a playoff position is by featuring a quality starting goaltender. No one would expect Pavelec to come in and lead Toronto on a deep playoff run, but he’d certainly make them more competitive.
Winnipeg Trades Ondrej Pavelec and Brendan Lemieux to Toronto for Daniel Winnik, Peter Holland and Roman Polak
It should be assumed that Toronto would be interested in acquiring a prospect or draft pick in any deal such as the one above. Playing a similar style to that of Leafs prospect Brendan Leipsic, Lemieux would be a natural fit for what Toronto is trying to build.
Both Winnik and Polak are unsung hero’s on the Maple Leafs. Each provide skills that could be highly beneficial in the postseason. Winnik has blossomed over the past few seasons, showing he can contribute in any role asked of him. Polak is a tough, physical defender, sometimes criticized for his decision-making. Regardless, he’d still be an upgrade on several Jets defenders.
Next: NHL's Worst Contract Clauses
Obviously the proposed trades above are merely speculation given knowledge on team needs and cap situations. For each scenario above, there are several possible trade combinations of different players.
Recent rumors suggest Dustin Byfuglien will not finish the season in Winnipeg, with the team unwilling to pay his asking price. So it’s not longer a question of “if”, but “when” and “who”? If Connor Hellebuyck continues to provide strong performances, is it possible that Ondrej Pavelec ends up on the trade block by the time he returns? Winnipeg has some tough decisions to make in 2015-16, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens moving forward.