NHL Draft Rumors: Winnipeg Jets interested in first overall pick?
By Cory Buck
The Winnipeg Jets are among the latest teams rumored to be interested in moving up to at least the top three picks of the NHL draft, if not number 1 overall, per the tweet below by Gare Joyce.
FYI I've said that WPG & VAN have made serious plays to both Fla and Buf re moving up @Canesfan3234 @GeorgeRichards
— Gare Joyce (@GareJoyceNHL) June 24, 2014
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The Jets have been looking to make a bold move of some kind this summer. Much talk has surrounded winger Evander Kane and the team’s desire to trade the talented, but inconsistent young forward. The Jets also hold the ninth overall pick in this draft. The question will be whether Florida, Buffalo or Edmonton (the three respective top picks in the draft) will be interested in moving down to the ninth spot. If any of them did bite, it would have to come with a tempting young player like Kane as well.
The Jets have little in the way of top end talent and it should be no surprise that the team is looking to vault itself out of the purgatorial middle of the first round in an effort to grab a potential superstar at the top of the draft. Winnipeg fans should hope though that it doesn’t come at too high of a cost. As Joyce notes on his Twitter timeline, it’s a seller’s market in the top three.
It's a seller's market, at least 2 serious buyers in this @BelowWing In that case, I hope Jets don't do it. Panthers want overpayment
— Gare Joyce (@GareJoyceNHL) June 24, 2014
Each team in the top three has great reason to stand pat and take the best player available. There may not be a Connor McDavid in 2014, but there are plenty of fine options. If the Jets can’t pony up a big time offer (likely one panned as an overpayment) they can expect to remain in the ninth spot come Friday night.