January 5, 2024 | 7:45pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
JETS LOOKING TO BOLSTER CENTRE POSITION?
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff
As the Winnipeg Jets battle for the top seed in the Central Division, having four won straight, management may be looking for options to deepen their roster over the next two months leading up to the trade deadline.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has some salary cap space to play with, and as the days move forward the team will continue to accrue more cap flexibility.
At the start of the season, the belief was the Jets would look to eventually improve their blueline, but it appears the club might shift its focus to potentially adding a second-line centre in the coming weeks.
During Friday’s edition of “NHL Tonight” on NHL Network, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported the Jets are looking to bolster the middle of the ice and are one of the teams interested in Calgary Flames pivot Elias Lindholm, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
“Going into the season, there was some word that maybe they would address the blueline (this season), but with that structure and how they’re playing defensively, and with the All-Star performance of Connor Hellebuyck, they may veer in the direction of a second-line centre,” Pagnotta said.
“Don’t be surprised if Elias Lindholm is a guy they get a little more involved in. There’s some interest right now.”
In addition to Winnipeg, the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins are among the teams also interested in Lindholm and more suitors will surely become known over the next few weeks.
Cheveldayoff could scour the league for additional options up the middle and might also express some interest in Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique, who is also playing on an expiring contract.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see, especially if they remain in the hunt come a month from now, the Winnipeg Jets to be active and looking at that 2C position.”