Will the Winnipeg Jets trade Nikolaj Ehlers for a Defenseman?
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joined Jay Onrait on SportsCenter and was asked about the Winnipeg Jets trading forward Nikolaj Ehlers to improve their blue line.
** NHLRumors.com transcript
Jay Onrait: “Craig Button joins us again from Las Vegas, site of the National Hockey League Draft. We recently heard from Insiders, Craig reiterating that the Jets are calling up Danish power forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Is Ehlera the guy you feel is going to end up looking for more defensive help on the Winnipeg Jets?”
NHL Rumors: First-Round Picks, UFAs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers
Craig Button: I think that’s something they should absolutely enjoy. Listen, you have Kyle Connor and you have Nikolaj Ehlers. The front two are really good but you have two simple, small fronts. Yes, they’re productive offensively but to me if you can take Nikolaj Ehlers and you can improve on the blue line, you’re not going to get a starting defenseman, but if you can get someone who can play your top three to get in there. , and I really believe I took some of the pressure off Josh Morrissey.
He plays big minutes. He plays hard minutes and if you can find another player you can support the team with. I think it’s something they should enjoy and they know how good Nikolaj Ehlers is. He is a very good player. But to get a good defender, you have to give up a good player. So I will be exploring that in every way, shape and form to try to improve the blue line. “
Chris Tanev is Toronto’s Number One Target
TSN’s Craig Button continued his chat with Jay Onrait on SportsCenter and was asked who the best defenseman the Maple Leafs could get in free agency.
** NHLRumors.com transcript
Jay Onrait: “Okay, let’s talk about the defender. Leaves need defenders. Which defender, Craig, would you target if you were Brad Treliving right now? Brandon Montour just won a trophy for the Florida Panthers. Matt Roy, a talented defender of the LA Kings or Chris Tanev of the Dallas Stars, the Leafs are very interested in Craig at the deadline. “
NHL Rumors: Predators, Panthers, Canadiens, Flames, and Flyers
Craig Button: I’m so glad you said Chris Tanev because if you didn’t say that I would say next because Chris Tanev is a good fit. He is a guy who makes the team better. He makes the players around him better. You can be the perfect partner for Morgan Reilly and anyone he plays with.
But I mean, just think about what Quinn Hughes, who won the Norris Trophy tonight (Thursday night), said about playing against Filip Hronek. He could say the same about Chris Tanev. Chris Tanev is a dyed-in-the-wool competitor, someone who does whatever it takes to help the team win and helps his partner do whatever he needs to do to get better and for me, that’s the mindset.
That’s a player that can make the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line a lot better, a lot better, and certainly give them a chance to get better when it matters most. Yes, the playoffs. “
Source link
