Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Made Savvy Moves at the Deadline

The Winnipeg Jets continue to fly under the radar—no pun intended. At the same time, the Jets sit tied for first place in the Central Division. However, considering the start of the season, Kevin Cheveldayoff has done a great job constructing the Jets’ soaring this high.

This season for Winnipeg could have gone in a completely different direction. It has been well documented that the Jets entering the 2023-24 season will be different. The question was how different. Blake Wheeler was not coming back. Pierre-Luc Dubois wanted out. There were questions about the futures of Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Kyle Connor, especially Connor because he stated he did not want to be a part of a rebuild.

However, Cheveldayoff got his players to buy into the message and philosophy of what he was building in Winnipeg. It all starts with the return he gets in the Dubois trade. Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a pick. Adam Lowry is named captain.

“Well, I think again, it goes back to having those exit meetings at the end of last season, having some transparency, having some urgency to let those guys know that we’re still in it to win and being able to make the trade that we did to bring in Iafallo, Vilardi, Kupari, and a pick, and so this is our direction,” Cheveldayoff said.

However, the big news was Scheifele and Hellebuyck’s commitment to stay long-term to help bring a championship to Winnipeg.

“I think this organization has been very transparent about that is that we want to win,” Cheveldayoff continued. “I think that we’re fortunate to get a couple of our key stakeholder players, you know, signed at the beginning of training camp, and those guys like Sheifele and Hellebuyck helped lay the foundation for us.”

It has been challenging for the Jets this season. They have had their fair share of ups and downs. Still, Head coach Rick Bowness sometimes called his players out for poor performances, similar to last year. But unlike last year, their play never dipped to the levels it did, and they just hung on to get into the playoffs. The players believe in the system and will work hard every night. There are nights off under Bowness.

Bowness must be away from the team for the second time this season. Scott Arniel has taken over on the road trip. But that has not stopped the Winnipeg Jets. They continue to roll. There was a reason Kevin Cheveldayoff added pieces at the NHL Trade Deadline. He believed in this club.

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There is a feeling around the Jets that they could win a Stanley Cup this season. This is Winnipeg’s best chance since 2018. But it will be hard. However, there was a reason Cheveldayoff went out and acquired Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli, and Colin Miller. His Winnipeg Jets are in a position to win.

Cheveldayoff’s first savvy move is to add depth down the middle. He acquires Sean Monahan from Montreal. There was a lot of talk of giving up a first-round pick for Monahan, but all Monahan has done is score eight goals and 15 points in 20 games since games to the Jets. Also, he has given them stability down the middle. Monahan also took the Jets’ power play from 15th to 2nd. What a game-changer.

Then there is his running buddy from junior Tyler Toffoli. The Jets acquire Toffoli and Miller from the Devils to add the trade deadline. Toffoli has recorded four goals in five games with the Jets. Another savvy move by Cheveldayoff. Toffoli has been the perfect fit for the Winnipeg Jets. He knew what he needed and went out and got it.

Instead of having two good lines, he has a four-line team. Certain players are situated better, and the Jets’ top-six is set. Monahan, Toffoli, and Nikolaj Ehlers have been excellent together. Teams can’t just worry about Scheifele and Connor anymore.

“Certainly, I don’t know that it was set out to be planned that way, but I’m certainly happy about the way it all unfolded,” Cheveldayoff said. “Again, we identified pretty early there that we wanted to try and acquire a centerman, and Monty has been, all of that for us and having the ability to get Toffoli at the deadline was something that is a wish. That wish came true.”

Again, the message and buy-in from players coming into a new situation has shown a change in culture in Winnipeg. Now, players want to be there instead of wishing to leave.

“I think the real benefit of it was when we did make the trade for Toffoli, one of the first guys that was calling him was Monahan because they had that connection, and to hear Monahan say like we have a good team and then literally the words out of Tyler’s mouth was we have a good team like you had that buy-in,” Cheveldayoff continued.

It also helps to have the best goalie in the NHL right now, Connor Hellebuyck. Having Laurent Brossoit behind Hellebuyck has helped him have nights off and stay sharp throughout the season. The Jets are not running Hellebuyck out every night now, so he will be fresh for the playoffs.

Team defense is also a big part of the Jets’ success. Kevin Cheveldayoff rounded out a pretty good defensive unit. Of course, their penalty kill numbers could improve, but each five-man unit is buying into playing defense, which is why they are successful.

General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has put together a good hockey team, and the Winnipeg Jets will no longer be flying under the radar as the playoffs inch closer.