It would be crazy to think that one mistake and missing a few playoff games could lead to a change of scenery for a player as good as Winnipeg Jets’ forward Mark Scheifele. But, this weekend, the forward’s name appeared in trade rumors for the first time. Larry Brooks — who is fairly plugged in on this sort of thing — noted that the New York Rangers would be interested in Scheifele should he become available.
Though it goes without saying, it will be said anyway: If Mark Scheifele somehow becomes available out of Winnipeg, he is the player for whom the Rangers empty the cupboard, and the guy in Buffalo becomes Jack Who?
In other words, should the Jets decide to go in another direction and move Scheifele, the Rangers would immediately drop any pursuit for center Jack Eichel and focus all of their attention on the Jet forward, doing almost whatever it takes to land him in a deal.
The Rangers, wouldn’t be the only team with interest if Scheifele shakes loose, especially since he has three years left on a deal that pays $6.125 million per season.
Why Would Jets Trade Scheifele?
If you’re wondering why the Jets would decide it better to move forward with Scheifele not a part of their future, us too. Sure, it’s not a good look when you take an incredibly stupid charging penalty and miss three games, not being able to help your team ward off elimination. This is now the second year in a row where Scheifele hasn’t been able to help his team come playoff time (last year he was injured).
There’s also the fact that the Jets badly need help on their blue line and are stacked with depth at forward. Scheifele would be an attractive trade piece and easily get the Jets the assets they need on defense.
Still, this is better-than point-per-game player and someone who contributes in the playoffs when he’s playing. It’s a big trade that the Jets are bound to lose. He would arguably be the better player dealt in any deal and the Rangers certainly aren’t the team who can offer up a blueliner of equal star power, unless they send back Adam Fox, which isn’t happening.
Even though you can never say never, let’s call this one speculation on the part of Brooks and suggest the odds of this type of trade happening are slim to none.
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