Central Powerhouse Officially Eyeing Trade With Metropolitan Rebuilder

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Pat Quinn
December 20, 2023 (10:16)

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The Central division has been wide open this season with only the Chicago Blackhawks looking to be the only team out of the running for a playoff spot. As of right now 10 points separate first in the division and seventh in the division, and all teams have played at least 30 games.

The Winnipeg Jets are in the thick of the battle remaining one point out of first place, but sitting in third with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars occupying first and second with 40 points a piece. Rumours have Winnipeg Jets scouts watching many Philadelphia Flyers games, as visa versa.

Jets want to add to their roster as injuries pile up

It is no secret the Winnipeg Jets would like to add all over the line up. Up front would be the biggest need, especially with top forward Kyle Connor out at least five more weeks. The team may be looking to add a defenseman as well as find a new home for Nate Schmidt who has been scratched quite a bit recently.

With a 18-9-3 record so far the Jets are doing much better than many anticipated in the off season, especially in lieu of the trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings. That deal appears to be a home run in Winnipeg's favour as: Alex Iaffalo has fit in on each line he has played; Gabe Vilardi (now healthy) is playing great on the top line and has as many goals as Dubois in much less games; and Rasmus Kupari started strong but has been injured for most of the season.

Jets scouts attending many Flyers games recently

Apparently, the Jets have been scouting a lot of Flyers games, with the Flyers doing the same to the Jets.

On the Flyers the likely culprits to be traded could be one of the three UFA defensemen: Marc Staal, Nick Seeler, or Sean Walker. Sean Walker would be the most costly of the bunch as he has brought his game to a new level since being acquired by the Flyers in the Cal Petersen salary dump trade.

A low key name that the Jets could be looking at could be Morgan Frost, who has been in Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella's dog house quite often this season. He could bolster the teams depth at centre and forward.

As Read On Over the Boards - Winnipeg Jets Scouts Caught Watching Eastern Conference Team as Trade Edges Closer