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Kyle Connor should request a trade out of Winnipeg

Christopher Bagdonas / NHL / July 3, 2023

Kyle Connor Jets — WINNIPEG, CANADA – APRIL 08: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets prepares for a second period face-off against the Nashville Predators at Canada Life Centre on April 08, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Kyle Connor should request a trade out of Winnipeg

Kyle Connor has been one of the best Winnipeg Jets in recent memory. The Michigan native has blossomed into one of the 20-25 best players in the league. However, he deserves to play on a contender. Not some middle-of-the-pack team.

The 2022 Lady Byng winner made his thoughts clear on a potential rebuild in April. Since then, some of his most important teammates are heading out. Former captain Blaker Wheeler was bought out by the team. Pierre-Luc Dubois completed a sign-and-trade to Los Angeles. Vezina finalist Connor Hellebuyck is looking for a new destination. Despite having three more years on his contract, Kyle Connor should follow suit and ask for a new beginning.

Jets Flying Out

It’s been a tough offseason for Winnipeg fans. But they should be real with themselves. They do not have enough to be true contenders. This group fully healthy lost in five games to the Knights in the first round. Rick Bowness is starting to grow stale in the locker room. Kevin Cheveldayoff should look to his neighbors in Calgary and start to tear things down.

For someone like Connor, you would get some massive trade offers. In my eyes, he is not at all far off the likes of Matthew Tkachuk as one of the best 5-on-5 players in the league, and the package from last year’s blockbuster could be a very good starting point.

A player who could replace him is Jonathan Huberdeau, a top-four defenseman in MacKenzie Weegar and a first-round pick for the draft next year. Or you could go fully for young players and assets and get a boatload for the future. Teams would be lining up to have a chance of adding someone like him. The Jets should sell while he’s at his highest value and being paid an absolute bargain of $7.1 million per season.

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A Kyle Connor trade request makes sense for all parties involved. One of the best players in the league will get to play for a true contender. Meanwhile, the Jets will get a huge package of players and picks back for the future.