WINNIPEG – Another NHL trade deadline day went by without a move from Kevin Cheveldayoff, but not due to a lack of effort from the Winnipeg Jets General Manager.
“We were very, very active within certain parameters of trying to make something happen,” according to Cheveldayoff. “I certainly feel very comfortable standing here today knowing the options that were in front of me.”
The only move Cheveldayoff was able to make Wednesday was to come to terms with impending unrestricted free agent defenceman and assistant captain Mark Stuart on a new, four-year contract worth $10.5 million.
“He’s a leader on the ice – he’s a leader off the ice – really liked and respected by his teammates and by his coaches.” Cheveldayoff said.
Stuart’s new contract was the only good news on this day for the Jets who learned that they have likely lost rookie center Mark Scheifele for the rest of the season with a sprained MCL in his right leg which will not require surgery.
“There’s a wide spectrum of players of when they come back from these injuries,” said coach Paul Maurice. “But it’s never in 3 or 4 weeks.”
No one from the St. John’s IceCaps is being called up to take Scheifele’s spot in the lineup and Maurice has to figure out who and how to distribute the minutes Scheifele has been playing every game. One player he may considering moving into the center spot is Evander Kane.
“Faceoffs would tell you that he can take some draws because he’s pretty slick in that part there,” he said.
Jets are home to the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night at MTS Centre.
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