Can We Call It A Rebuild?

If you're a follower of this blog, you likely know that I have zero confidence in Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff's ability to "retool" this team to the point where it can be a contender again. His inability to see past the faults of his team was a large factor in my lack of confidence, but his defence of the people who appeared to be causing those faults was also a large ingredient in my lack of faith for the man responsible for building a winner in Winnipeg. With star players demanding an out this spring, it looked almost certain that the Jets were headed for a complete overhaul. But maybe something has changed in Chevy since the calendar flipped to June because his efforts today show a smarter, more astute GM than what had been previously seen over the last few seasons.

The Winnipeg Jets traded Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings today, getting restricted free agent winger Gabe Vilardi, restricted free agent forward Rasmus Kupari, left-winger Alex Iafallo, and a 2024 second-round pick previously owned by Montreal back in the deal for Winnipeg's 1B centerman. While Iafallo is 29 and under contract until 2026, Vilardi and Kupari are both 23 with some team control, and both should fit in nicely on the Jets' roster if and when Chevy presents them with new contracts.

Dare I say Chevy did well?

I'm quick to pump the brakes when it comes to awarding him the early candidacy for GM of the Year, but, if he can sign Vilardi and Kupari to deals, this trade upgrades the Jets in a number of areas that Dubois simply won't match. In 63 games last season, Vilardi scored 23 goals and 41 points. Iafallo played 59 games where he scored 14 times in a 36-point season, and Kupari played 66 games where he had three goals in a 15-point campaign. While it's true that Chevy is now down a star centerman with Dubois heading to southern California, there will be opportunities for all three of the players coming back to capitalize with a number of potential holes on the Jets' roster.

If the rumours of Blake Wheeler's buyout are true, there will be a winger spot in the top-six that can be filled. Vilardi seems like the right man for the job based on his goal output over the last few seasons. If Vladislav Namestnikov opts to move on through free agency this summer, a third-line spot with opportunities to play up the lineup opens up for Iafallo. Kupari could easily earn himself a spot on Winnipeg's fourth line with the likes of Saku Maenalanen, Karson Kuhlman, and Sam Gagner all unrestricted free agents. In short, this move gives Chevy all sorts of options.

Of course, playing the games will be a different story as each of these players will need to do their parts, but the return when it comes to potential is very good for parting with one player who, at times, seemed like he wanted to be anywhere else but a hockey rink. Dubois' new contract with Los Angeles will certainly put the focus on him in La-La-Land, but Vilardi's arrival in Winnipeg could be the very replacement that the Jets needed with Blake Wheeler's potential departure as Vilardi has an excellent shot, great vision, and can play the front of the net or the bumer as Dubois did on the power-play.

What might make Jets fan salivate a little more over this trade is that Iafallo and Vilardi played together for a portion of the season with the Kings last season, and they looked good playing on opposite wings. If the Jets can get the Ehlers-Connor combination rolling, they may have two top-six winger pairings that can carry this team back to the playoffs in a year where it was expected they'd take a step back.

For the first time in a long time, I have an ember of interest that has been lit when it comes to following the Winnipeg Jets. With Chevy telling reporters that he may not be done yet, the likes of Wheeler, Scheifele, and Hellebuyck might still be up in the air when it comes to Kevin Ceveldayoff having conversations with any of the other 31 GMs. While I reserve the right to optimistic about this Jets team on June 27, I am excited that we may be seeing Chevy finally address the biggest elephant in the room: team culture.

By removing some of the players who, by head coach Rick Bowness's own words, "had no pushback" in the Vegas series in this year's playoffs, Chevy might be able to change the outlook of this group. Yes, there are players who still need to be moved to continue that transformation, but bringing in younger, hungrier guys who want to score and win will change that dynamic. If Chevy can move the likes of Scheifele, Wheeler, and Hellebuyck and bring back similar hauls like he did from Los Angeles, the culture in the room will change.

It's far too premature to say the Jets are back in the running for a Central Division title, but this trade could be the turning point to future success. Vilardi, Iafallo, and Kupari are good players who can find homes with the Jets as key players, and who knows what can come of that if the Jets start playing fun, uptempo hockey that other players start to notice. Putting the "Win" back in Winnipeg might take a few seasons if the current stars are traded, but new stars will emerge and push this team to new heights once again, causing fans to flock to Canada Life Centre once more.

Everyone loves a winner, so we might as well call this summer of trades and free agency what it truly is, even if Kevin Cheveldayoff refuses to use the word. We're in rebuild mode, folks, and it started off with a bang!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!