The Winnipeg Jets head into the offseason looking to add skilled forwards to their roster in hopes of increasing their goal-scoring at 5-on-5 when the playoffs roll around.
The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli released his top 20 trade targets for the NHL offseason, and topping the list were Buffalo Sabres’ JJ Peterka and Minnesota Wild’s Marco Rossi.
The Jets will likely integrate Nikita Chibrikov into their lineup this season, whether it’s immediately after training camp or at some point in the season, an extended stint in the NHL is long overdue for the 22-year-old. He unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury, but the team hopes he’ll be a complete participant once training camp begins.
The pursuit of another young forward and the promotion of Chribrikov should not be affected by the choice Nikolaj Ehlers makes. Whether he’s on the roster or not, adding additional scoring is a must.
Rossi fits the needs of the Jets more than Peterka does, but both would be fantastic additions. Rossi would slot into the Jets’ second-line centre role like a glove and would be the perfect complement for Cole Perfetti and Ehlers. In 82 games this season, the 23-year-old scored 24 goals and 60 points. His production on the power play and at 5-on-5 was balanced, and he plays an effective two-way game. He’s a skilled playmaker who could run give-and-gos on the cycle with Perfetti and get Ehlers the puck to do damage off the rush.
Peterka is a winger, which could make the line combinations more complicated, but if Gabriel Vilardi and the Jets feel comfortable shifting him back into the middle of the ice, Peterka would be an outstanding acquisition.
Finding a player as talented as he is at just 23 years of age is almost unheard of, and although the Sabres have repeatedly mentioned they don’t plan on trading him, the indication is that they will have to move him unless negotiations take a pivot and he re-signs.
In 77 games, Peterka scored 27 goals and 68 points, tied for second on his team. His shot is lethal, but unlike other snipers, Peterka can create the space for himself to get his shot off. Skating on a line next to any of Kyle Connor, Ehlers, or Perfetti would provide him plenty of opportunities to show off his shot.
Both Rossi and Peterka averaged over 18:00 of ice time a night during the regular season, showing they are both capable of playing top-six minutes. They are also both restricted free agents in need of a contract, but with over $26M in cap space, the Jets shouldn’t have too much trouble fitting them under the salary cap even after making deals with Ehlers, Vilardi and Dylan Samberg.
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