Jets Mailbag & Deep Look at Acquiring Monahan
Also, a look at Kevin Cheveldayoff trading a 1st rounder, reactions to the trade & more!
Welcome to the THW Winnipeg Jets Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Jets writers.
In today’s edition, we have a look at the pros and cons of the Monahan trade, immediate takeaways from it, how it is a rarity to see Cheveldayoff make a splash like he did, and more!
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Now on to the good stuff…
Jets Mailbag: Monahan, Trade Asset Options, & Heinola’s Return
February 5, 2024 by Connor Hrabchak
Welcome to another edition of THW’s Winnipeg Jets Mailbag series. The NHL’s All-Star weekend has come to an end, and over the break, the Winnipeg Jets made their move. Sean Monahan is a Winnipeg Jet, as he was acquired in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round pick.
Monahan will be integrated into the lineup over the next couple of days of practice before likely making his debut on Feb. 6. As the Jets resume their on-ice activities, I offered up a mailbag on Twitter/X, and the fans responded with great questions to help tee up the back half of the season.
Pros & Cons of Jets Trading for Sean Monahan
February 3, 2024 by Brian Finlayson
It was announced on Feb. 2. that the Winnipeg Jets acquired Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadians in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round pick. Monahan was a player many had on their radar as a target for the Jets to help solidify their center depth.
The center market has clearly accelerated after the Vancouver Canucks traded for Elias Lindholm on Jan. 31, and without waiting too long, Jets’ General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed a need before other teams could snag him. It was a steep cost for a player like Monahan, but it appears as if the Jets are serious about improving the team after sending out a first-round pick.
Cheveldayoff Puts Faith in Jets With Rare Trade of 1st-Round Pick
February 3, 2024 by Declan Schroeder
The Winnipeg Jets organization and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff treat their future first-round draft picks like gold, things that have inherent value and are to be protected fiercely; things to be dealt away only when the return is high or when assets now outweigh potential assets later.
Cheveldayoff, on Friday, Feb. 2, traded one of those picks, sending his first-rounder in the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft to the Montreal Canadiens (along with a conditional third-round 2027 pick) in exchange for centre Sean Monahan.
Cheveldayoff does not have a long record of trading away first-round picks, preferring instead to use them to build the core of his team. In his 12 seasons as GM, he has made 15 first-round selections and prior to the Monahan trade, dealt a first-rounder only four times. Him doing so should speak loudly to the team about his faith in them, but also his expectations.
3 Takeaways from Winnipeg Jets’ Sean Monahan Trade
February 2, 2024 by Connor Hrabchak
The Winnipeg Jets have made their move, and they made it early, acquiring Sean Monahan for a first-round pick and conditional third over the All-Star Break. This fits a clear need in the Jets’ lineup at second-line centre, gives Rick Bowness another faceoff taker, and could even result in more ice time going forward for Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers.
With Mark Scheifele out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, the offence cratered and they failed to maintain their top spot in the Western Conference. Now with Scheifele likely to return after the break, and with Monahan in the fold, the Jets’ centre depth looks to be taking a big step forward. Here are three initial takeaways from the trade.