The Winnipeg Jets were huge winners at the NHL Trade Deadline. They did tidy business before the deadline, hours before the deadline, and also minutes before. They ticked off all the boxes of what they needed and also got two players that were two of the best players available at the NHL deadline. Let’s look at who they got and how good of fit they will be.
The Winnipeg Jets beat everyone but the Vancouver Canucks to the punch, when they acquired Sean Monahan from Montreal on February 2nd. The Jets gave up their 2024 first round pick as well as a conditional 2027 third round pick. The condition being that if the Jets win the Stanley Cup, the Canadiens would get the pick. Not a bad price. If you want more of a break down of the trade check out this article here.
Now that has been a little over a month we can see how well he has fit into the Jets lineup. Through 13 games with the Jets, Monahan has scored 8 goals and has 1 assist. He has primarily played as the Jets second line center and has not looked out of place. When on the market, the hockey world were not sure if he could be a second line center for a contender, for good reason though. He has proven he definitely can play there and can succeed.
Where he has helped the Jets the most is on the powerplay. Monahan is one the best players to play in the bumper position on the powerplay. When acquired, Winnipeg’s’ powerplay was very cold. Monahan seems to have at least lit a small fire since joining the team. He will continue to play on the powerplay and the Jets powerplay should just get better when Vilardi gets back as well as with their other acquisition upfront.
The Winnipeg Jets acquired Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils at the deadline. The price was the Jets 2024 third round pick, and a 2025 second round pick. Toffoli was a highly sought after player at the NHL Trade Deadline. He ended up being #4 on the Area 51 NHL Targets Board. The Devils were only making him available closer towards the deadline due to the Devils still battling for a playoff spot.
Toffoli has played 61 games so far this season, tallying 44 points, 26 goals and 18 assists. He has been hot as of late with 15 points in last 18 games. He was acquired by the Devils in the summer when the Flames traded him for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 3rd round pick. Toffoli will now be on his fourth team in the past two years.
Where the newly acquired winger will fit in the lineup is something I do not think even Rick Bowness knows for sure. The obvious fit is on Sean Monahan’s wing, as Toffoli is a top 6 winger. The big question when it comes to where he fits is who will jive with his playing style. Toffoli is elite off the rush ranking ninth in 5-on-5 rush shots. He also, like Monahan, is very good at creating high danger chances. The combo of Monahan and Toffoli may be a match made in heaven when it comes to their playing style.
The Winnipeg Jets acquired Colin Miller for a 2026 4th round pick. The Jets needed to pick up a defenseman to compliment the D-core that they already have in Winnipeg. Colin Miller was not a player that anyone had on their trade targets board which is typical for Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Miller pick up makes a lot of sense for the Jets when you look at their needs.
Through the first 41games of the year for Miller, he has four goals and four assists. He has averaged 15:15 minutes of ice time and is a plus 10. Miller is solid defenseman and may be one of the best third pairing d-men in the league. While you may scoff at that, third paring defenseman matter when it comes to the playoffs. At the end of the day though, he is a third paring guy that will not have a big impact on the game, but that is exactly what you want from those third paring players.
Overall, Winnipeg did an amazing job at the deadline and leading up to it. The Jets got everything they need to make a deep run in the playoffs and should be a very hard out. Winnipeg has returned as a cup contender after a down season last year, even though they made the playoffs. Kevin Cheveldayoff should be in the running for GM of the Year if the Jets do well in the playoffs. Time will tell as a lot of the Western Conference made moves. It is a great time to be a hockey fan, as things are about to heat up after the NHL Trade Deadline!
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