When the Winnipeg Jets hit the ice next season, they might look either a little different or lot different; depending on who you speak to. I personally of am the opinion that both Evander Kane and Ondrej Pavelec will be in different jerseys come next year. The people at The Fourth Period website tend to agree.
Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Blake wheeler and Brian Little have all been mentioned at one time or another this season as being on the trading block. Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has always maintained that no player is safe if it would help to improve the team. Byfuglien will probably be back next season as will the rest of the original "core" that came over from Atlanta. But Pavelec, as a regular starting goaltender in the NHL is ranked 65th at last look. Sixty-fifth! There are 30 teams. There are 30 regular starters. How can one be ranked 65th!?
Rumors are starting now (at least in Winnipeg) that the Jets may swap Pavelec with the Toronto maple Leafs for James Reimer. Evander Kane was brought up repeatedly during the trade deadline and may be on his way out of town due to not only the Jets needs, but the perception-if only that-of his character has not been a favorable one since he arrived in Winnipeg.
Chris Thorburn, Toby Enstrom, Mark Stuart are also the subject of hard-working players that other teams could use to boost their rosters. Although I think Jets management would be hard-pressed to let a hockey player and leader Stuart go without a substantial return in a seasoned veteran.
It may be a different looking Winnipeg Jets roster when the opening face-off rolls around October 2014.
