Jets going all-in on Mark Stone with major offer

The Winnipeg Jets need a boost up front if they want to go further into the postseason than they managed to do last spring. For weeks now, they have been linked to the Ottawa Senators and it seems like we could be on a verge of a trade between the two teams as we grow closer to the trade deadline. 

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman explained on the air of Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday night that the Jets might be ready to go all-in on pending free agent forward Mark Stone. After all, Senators GM Pierre Dorion spent most of the weekend in Winnipeg and was seen talking to Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. 

“I think Winnipeg does,” said Friedman. “And they want him. They were there all weekend, Dorion was. He was there all weekend. He saw them play Colorado on Thursday. He saw their American Hockey League team play Rockford, which is Chicago’s team on Friday. The Jets and the Senators played on Saturday. And then on Sunday he saw the AHL team play Milwaukee, which is Nashville’s team, and that was not a coincidence.

“I’m not convinced Winnipeg is in on Duchene yet, or they will be. I think that Winnipeg is all-in on Mark Stone, who’s a local guy.

“And Winnipeg has a lot of things they can do. They’re willing to move their first-rounder. They’ve got some really good prospects. They’ve got Roslovic, they’ve got Niku, they’ve Vesalainen. I’m not convinced which of those guys they’ll give up. But if it’s, say - for argument’s sake - Vesalainen and a first-rounder, that probably gets him done as a rental.

“Before people go absolutely wild with that and I get radioed, that’s just me spitballing, right. Winnipeg can do that, if they want to, and that’s a good package.”

Stone, who is carrying a $7.35-million cap hit on his expiring deal, currently leads the Senators with 28 goals and 62 points in 59 games. He has become one of the most coveted rentals on the trade market and there is no wonder why the Jets would look to acquire his services.

The Boston Bruins were also said to be interested in landing Stone, however, they just pulled a trade with the Minnesota Wild for Charlie Coyle and are therefore believe to step out of the running. 

In addition to the Jets, the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights have also reportedly expressed interest in Stone.

Earlier this week, Ottawa Sun Bruce Garrioch reported that the Senators tabled a "serious and comprehensive" offer to Stone last week and were hopeful they'll receive an answer back shortly. However, the trade deadline is just around the corner and with a great offer, they might decide to let him go...