Jets may trade 8th overall pick for specific, immediate help

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Jets may trade 8th overall pick for specific, immediate help originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Winnipeg Jets, coming off a disappointing 2025-26 season, are set to pick at No. 8 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.

That is, if they don't trade away that draft selection first.

That sounds like it's a real possibility. NHL insider David Pagnotta reports that Winnipeg is exploring such a move.

The Jets, Pagnotta writes, would want a second-line center or second-line winger in return for the eighth pick.

Whether that's a steep cost or not depends on how you view the Jets' immediate chances of contending, as well as what the team giving up the forward is able to do with the No. 8 pick.

This feels like it could be a bit rash for Winnipeg, but if they get the right player in return, it could work out nicely, too.

The risk with the Jets right now is that their veterans, after a tough season, start to think about asking out.

Connor Hellebuyck, the superstar goalie, has been involved in trade rumors, and the Jets don't seem to have any plans to make such a move.

But if Winnipeg's roster gets younger, more inexperienced and not immediately better, it could be tough for Hellebuyck to feel good about sticking around.

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The Jets are likely viewing a potential trade as a chance to contend with their current core of experienced players while also mitigating any thoughts about asking for a move out of town.

Something like this rumored deal would all come down to cost. Does Winnipeg view the player being offered as a top-six guy? And will the other team trade that player directly for the eighth overall pick? There's likely a match to be had somewhere, and the Jets have to find it.

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