Jets make splashes at RHL Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is always an exciting time of year in the RHL. GMs are always out wheeling and dealing to either gear up for the final playoff push or to maximize the return on their pending unrestricted free agents and beginning to look towards the offseason. For the first time in WPG GM rbkgoalr’s tenure, the team finds itself firmly in the push playoffs, marking themselves as true “buyers” for the first time. “It’s a nice feeling being in this position, especially after the 2020-2021 season ending as a massive underachievement,” GM rbk stated at his post deadline presser. “ We are very excited about this team’s potential down the stretch and in the playoffs and we feel the moves we made are indicative of that feeling.”

After an unusually quiet first five months of the 2021-2022 season on the trade market, the Jets ramped up their efforts to fine tune and tweak their roster in hopes of maximizing the performance on the ice. Below is a review of the Jet’s trade activity leading up to and including deadline day.

2/25/2022 - Jets receive Erik Gudbanson. Sharks receive Zach Sanford: this move corresponds with the trade acquiring Sam Gagner outlined below. GM rbk stated at the time that this move was filling out the bottom defensive pairing while also opening cap flexibility for future moves. Gudbranson slots in on the bottom defensive pairing at a very reasonable $1m cap hit that expires in 2023. The contract is also two-way so that in event its needed, he can be demoted to the Manitoba Moose. 

2/25/2022 - Jets acquire Ryan Murphy and Sam Gagner. Maple Leaf receive Dylan DeMelo and Ben Street: another move to increase cap flexibility while filling out the bottom six forward lines. This move corresponds with the acquisition of Gudbranson. GM LedTesso needed to send Murphy as a “throw in” to this deal, and GM rbk immediately option Murphy to Manitoba afte clearing waivers. 

2/25/2022 - Jets acquire Pekka Rinne. Penguins receive Brad Theissan and 2022 4th round pick: with Tuukka Rask quickly approaching the 65 game goalie limit, GM rbk wanted a veteran backup to take late season starts, rather than relying on the young netminder Adin Hill. As a result, Hill was sent to Manitoba where he finish the season playing everyday.

3/6/2022 - Jets acquire Brandon Tanev. Coyotes acquire Conor Sheary: in a swap of unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, the Jets were looking to save a little against the salary cap while continuing to improve their 3rd line. Tanev’s defensive ability will be counted on down the stretch and in the playoffs.

3/10/2022 - Jets acquire Seth Jones and 2023 4th round pick. Hurricanes receive Brandon Carlo, Morgan Geekie, and 2023 1st round pick: in the Jet’s blockbuster move, the team finds the true #1 defenseman its been searching for for the last two years. Jones offensive and defensive abilities will be leaned on heavily down the stretch. GM rbk acknowledged that the price was high, but Jones’ modest contract for the rest of this year and next was something he could not pass up.

3/10/2022 - Jets acquire Scott Mayfield, 2023 3rd round pick, 2023 5th round pick. Canucks acquire Derek Forbort, Connor Clifton, and 2023 7th round pick: in a move mainly motivated by salary cap constraints, the Jets acquired a veteran, cost controlled defenseman in Mayfield while clearing out some salary cap hits in Forbort and Clifton. The decision did not come lightly as Derek Forbort’s defensive abilities were strong, but the deal had to be made given the previous moves that occurred. Mayfield slots into the bottom pairing play along aside also newly acquired Erik Gudbranson.

It was a busy two weeks for GM rbk, opening dialogue with every GM in the league at one point or another (except ANA given the strenuous relationship there with GM VideoJ). RBK had hinted at not wanting to stand pat for awhile, but after seeing the other moves by NSH and DAL and tightness in the race for the top of the central, he felt he owed it to this years edition of the Jets to put them in the best situation to succeed. To end his presser earlier today, RBK was quoted as saying, “We have a tight battle at the top of the division with rivals COL and NSH. You also can’t count out those pesky Stars either. We needed to ensure we continue our ascent. Looking to the Pacific, you always have to watch out for the Ducks. I want to be clear: it’s not because VideoJ is a good GM. I think anybody would be good if they inherited the situation he did, the talent on that roster is not something to disregard.” As he walked out, he could be heard saying under his breath, “Kuemper” with a large chuckle.