WINNIPEG — It was a quiet trade deadline for the Winnipeg Jets after a busy two months of moves.
“I feel comfortable moving forward that we’re a better team than a few days ago,” said Kevin Cheveldayoff, the team’s general manager.
Since December 18, Cheveldayoff has made four deals involving eleven players and four draft picks. The latest came Sunday in which Winnipeg got forward Lee Stempniak from the New York Rangers in exchange for Carl Klingberg. Cheveldayoff says some of the trades cost the Jets but he’s alright with it.
“I think there’s a good group here right now that has earned this right to add some pieces, to have some players added,” said Cheveldayoff.
Before putting his phone down for the day, Cheveldayoff checked with head coach Paul Maurice to see if he likes how the Jets look.
“I’m fine with our team,” said Maurice. “I think we’ve got good depth at all our positions. I really like the way our defence is rounding out. I’m good at where we’re at.”
So are the players.
“It’s fantastic especially with what management is trying to do with the moves they’ve made for us,” said forward Jim Slater. “It gives us a lot of confidence in here. Everyone is confident, really pumped up.”
Among the calls Cheveldayoff made Monday was one to Michael Frolik’s agent to say he wasn’t going to trade the pending unrestricted free agent. When asked though if he’s actively trying to sign Frolik, Cheveldayoff didn’t give a straight answer.
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