Jets Week Ahead: Schedule and Storylines – Trade Deadline Week, Toews stay put and more – The Hockey Writers Winnipeg Jets Latest news, analysis and more

It’s a critical and somewhat stressful week for the Winnipeg Jets and their fans. The team is well out of the playoffs and the next few days will determine the direction of their franchise for the rest of the season and possibly for years to come.

The March 6 NHL trade deadline

This is the biggest cloud hanging over the team. Sitting nine points out of a playoff spot with a sub-.500 record, the Jets are expected to act as “prudent sellers” ahead of Friday’s 3:00 PM ET deadline. Management is reportedly focusing on reshaping the roster for next year rather than carrying out a complete rebuild of the ‘fire sale’.

Who is in the trading bloc?

Pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) like Luke Schenn, Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist are the top candidates to be considered for draft capital.

There’s also a lot of talk about polarizing defenseman Logan Stanley and whether the Jets will trade him if a contract extension isn’t reached this week.

Jonathan Toews remains seated

Despite the trade deadline approaching, veteran Jonathan Toews (who signed a one-year deal with the Jets last offseason) has publicly stated that he will not give up his ban on movement. He has indicated that he wants to stay and continue playing for his hometown team.

Overtime Problems and the ‘OT Bug’

The Jets are coming off a frustrating 2-1 loss of overtime against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, March 1. They have struggled mightily in 3-on-3 overtime scenarios of late, dropping crucial points when they desperately needed them to stay alive in the Wild Card race.

Jets upcoming schedule

After a tough road trip, the Jets return to the Canada Life Center for their longest homestand of the 2025-2026 season. They play 16 games this month, 10 of which are at home. If they have another miraculous playoff push in them, it has to start now on home ice.

However, they will face a mixed bag of opponents, starting with a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team before taking on a powerful Tampa Bay Lightning team and a conference rival in the Vancouver Canucks. With the trade deadline landing right in the middle of this homestand, the roster that takes the ice against Vancouver on Saturday could look noticeably different than the one on Tuesday.

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