Winnipeg Jets

Dano signed for 1 year- now what?
June 13, 2017, 3:19 PM ET [16 Comments]
Peter Tessier
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The Jets have come to terms on a deal with Marko Dano for one year at $850,000 but it remains to be seen if he actually plays a game for the Winnipeg Jets after signing this deal. This is the effect of the expansion draft.

What we know is that the Jets are no officially compliant with the forward corps if they choose to protect Adam Lowry- to at least that's what some suggest. In fact the Jets were compliant before, having Shawn Matthias and Adam Lowry, and Joel Armia all under contract. Should the Jets go 7-3-1 the protected players would be???

Scheifele
Wheeler
Little
Perreault
Lowry
Dano
Copp

Bufuglien
Enstrom
Trouba

Hellebuyck

If the Jets decide to go 8 skaters and 1 goalie what does that look like?

Scheifele
Wheeler
Little
Perreault

Enstrom
Byfuglien
Trouba
Myers

Hellebuyck

Is the signing of Dano the precursor to other moves? Right now the hockey media is reporting deals (Anaheim) making a deal to keep them from asking Kevin Bieksa from waiving his NMC. Further more the Jets are declining to comment on whether they have asked Enstrom to waive his NMC and Engstrom's camp has said any information about the NMC status should come from the Jets. The drama here is delectable and so intriguing.

The idea that Dano was signed to be compliant seems odd. He didn't need to be and as an RFA not under contract he is exempt based on the rules of the expansion draft.

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.


The defenseman under contract is Mark Stuart and either Myers or Enstrom.

The forwards are Matthias and Armia. The interesting thing about signing Dano is that is he expendable to keep Myers and Enstrom?

That seems to be the logic here and while some may seem this move as flawed, (and there is fair reason too) it says a lot about who the Jets have managed their assets. Of course there are more questions too.

1. Is this likely beginning of the end for Trouba in Winnipeg if Myers is to be protected?
2. How are the Jets arriving at Lowry over Dano as a smart move?
3. Did the Jets even ask Enstrom to waive his NMC?
4. Is losing Dano part of bigger move between the Jets and LVGK?
5. Are the Jets valuing Copp over Dano?


Heres some thoughts on Dano, he was expendable in Columbus, Quennville had an obvious disdain for him in Chicago and it appears the Jets/Paul Maurice also found issues with his game. While a stats darling favour him, and clearly not an unskilled player, why is he struggling to find consistent usage and a home in the NHL?

The idea that to sign him means he's gone is simply not accurate. However, to sign him as compensation to not take an exposed Myers might make sense and that seems the logical choice as Copp, or Armia or Matthias are probably not enough. The question, if this is an accurate theory, becomes are the LVGK over-valuing Dano in ways others have in the past?

It will be very interesting to see how this unfolds with the Jets and the rest of the NHL teams but right now, for the first time since the season ended, fans have a small view of how the expansion draft might unfold. Sunday morning when the protected lists become available is going to be like Christmas day for a 5 year olds and that's pretty darn exciting for anything other than the draft, deadline day and UFA period.