The expectation in Winnipeg is that each normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Rick Bowness might be again with the workforce subsequent season. That leaves a number of questions in regards to the roster, particularly, what occurs with the Jets’ core 4: Blake Wheeler, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Mark Scheifele, and Connor Hellebuyck. All 4 may change into unrestricted free brokers in the summer season of 2024, and there’s already discuss that a minimum of a number of of these gamers could be content material with transferring on this summer season.
Rumors have surrounded Pierre-Luc Dubois for months. The sentiment is that he’ll wind up with the Montreal Canadiens sooner or later, however how rapidly stays to be seen. And, the Habs received’t be the one ones kicking tires on his availability, in accordance to Murat Ates of The Athletic.
Ates writes that the Canadiens are nonetheless the favorites to land Dubois, but additionally instructed a workforce out of the East (one that’s in New York) and the Los Angeles Kings have curiosity. He explains:
I can’t say this with certainty however I don’t assume money goes to be the primary sticking level for Pierre-Luc Dubois. I feel the choice he makes this summer season (and subsequent) might be about his life-style on and off the ice. He strikes me as a considerate, clever one that values the life he will get to stay away from the rink, too. This contains household time, offseason adventures, eating places, trend and extra.
When it comes to Blake Wheeler, Michael Russo and Eric Duhatschek write, “The common thinking at this point is that Wheeler will be gone, and he’d probably be fine with that at this point.” They add that he’s received one other season on his present deal at $8.25 million and that received’t be a simple contract to commerce, particularly at age 36. He was stripped of his captaincy this previous offseason and he referred to as out his coach for ripping the gamers –ones who confirmed an actual lack of urgency — in the media. Wheeler is on the high of the record when it comes to gamers which have earned their popularity as ones with no pushback and that received’t bode nicely for any workforce which may contemplate taking up the final 12 months of his deal.
Perhaps the highest priorities are determining what to do with Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele. Hellebuyck mentioned he’s not in partaking in a rebuild and desires to play the place the workforce has an opportunity to win. But, it’s one factor for a workforce to present curiosity in him and tackle the ultimate season of his $6.16 million contract. It’s one other taking him on understanding that he may need an enormous elevate when he indicators his subsequent deal. The Jets have to weigh their curiosity in going there with him, as do different groups. “Buffalo and New Jersey take big swings,” write the 2 scribes.
As for Scheifele, they write, “It sure feels like this could be the summer these two sides head for a divorce. If so, there should be no shortage of suitors, especially if the Jets let teams talk extension with him.”
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