Analyst suggests Red Wings should poach Winnipeg Jets star forward

The 2022-23 NHL season for the Winnipeg Jets came to an unceremonious close earlier this spring against the Vegas Golden Knights, bowing out in a quick five game series. And immediately after their season ended, the sparring between head coach Rick Bowness and former captain Blake Wheeler was made public, giving fans a foreshadowing of what will likely be a summer of major changes. 

One player who has already indicated that he wants out of Winnipeg is goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is entering the final year of his contract. Another player who could be moved and also happens to be a pending free agent next summer is forward Mark Scheifele. 

While the Detroit Red Wings have been linked to the Michigan-born Alex DeBrincat, one particular sports analyst believes that they have the capital to facilitate a trade with Winnipeg for Scheifele. According to Jon Morosi, who works for a variety of sports outlets including NHL Network and The Fan 590, general manager Steve Yzerman should consider acquiring Scheifele in a deal he says would put them over the top to end their seven season playoff drought. 

He wrote the following on Twitter: 

"Hockey thought: If the Red Wings — with an abundance of draft picks — find a way to trade for Mark Scheifele, they are a playoff team in 2024."

Scheifele is regarded as one more gifted playmakers and scorers in the NHL, and is also in the final year of his contract that sees him earn an AAV of $6.125 million a year. Last season, he scored 42 goals for the Jets while adding another 26 assists. 

In 723 career NHL games, all with Winnipeg, the Ontario native has scored 272 goals with 373 assists. He's also added 19 goals and 13 assists in 37 career postseason games. 

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