It's trade deadline day and although I don't expect the Winnipeg Jets to make any major trades, there will probably be a few minor leaguers heading out of St. Johns where the Jets AHL affiliate, the Ice Caps reside.
If the Jets do move anyone off of their roster, I expect it to be who the so-called experts pick; Johnny Oduya, Tanner Glass or Kyle Wellwood. Wellwood leaving would surprise me and I'd hate to see him go as I enjoy his work ethic and creativity, yet that would be the reasons he could be moved. Oduya is a smart, mobile defenseman and certainly does not deserve the flak he has received from Jets fans in the city. They still can't let go his turnovers in Game One against Montreal. If it wasn't for his age, I think Chris Mason would be decent trade bait for a team looking for a solid back goalie. I'm glad he's not going anywhere. I like him, both on and off the ice. I think the most obvious Jet that would be trade bait with a prospect for perhaps draft picks in return would be Nik Antropov. His size hasn't been utilized on the Jets as much as it should be. Maybe it would be somewhere else.
Some people are wondering if, or indeed are demanding that, the Jets trade the future for quick results now. A lot of people want a "rental" player. Someone who may help the team for a playoff run, but won't be around at the start of next season and someone who you'd have to give up a young prospect for. Players that you'd think that wouldn't be moved and are fan-favourites? Dustin Bufuglien comes to mind. Tobias Enstrom and Jim Slater are others.
Some are saying that the Jets should trade one of their best players or draft picks (or both) for a superstar such as the available (as of this writing) Rick Nash. Sure, if you want to trade away your own future. The current member of the Jets that aren't going anywhere are the obvious ones. Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Ondjre Pavelec shouldn't expect to be leaving Winnipeg anytime soon.
Updates (Jets deals only) will be added if there are any.
One hour and 45 minutes till the deadline.
UPDATE: 1:10 pm
Johnny Oduya has been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for second and third-round draft picks in the 2013 Entry Draft.
