The Winnipeg Jets’s blue line is looking a heck of a lot better than it did a few months ago and one player deserves credit for making it happen.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way and acknowledge that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff clearly deserves credit but it was a veteran player who played a huge role in convincing Nate Schmidt to waive his no-trade clause and head east from Vancouver. Paul Stastny, who recently signed a one-year, $3.750 million deal himself, apparently was behind it all. The two played two seasons together for Vegas and are both American.
Darn right it’s Minnesota North! The 30-year-old is from St. Cloud so his hometown is really just right down the pond. Schmidt has four years remaining on his contract with a $5,950,000 AAV cap hit and is a much needed upgrade on the Jets’ back-end. After trading for both Schmidt and Brenden Dillion, the Jets lost both Tucker Poolman and Derek Forbort in free agency, who both were not cheap signings.
Well Jets fans, make sure to thank Paul if you happen to run into him in the city. For convincing Schmidty to come to Winnipeg and for re-signing on a pretty reasonable deal.
(H/T Patrick Johnston)
