Did the Jets kick tires on Cody Ceci?

Sports insider Ken Wiebe recently did a Q&A with fans to address important matters pertaining to the Winnipeg Jets. Edmonton Oilers former defenceman Cody Ceci has been sparking an intense conversation in Jets Nation.

Wiebe: What level of interest the Jets had in acquiring Ceci is up for debate, though I would imagine Kevin Cheveldayoff would have put in a call to see if he could pressure the Oilers into sending an asset along with Ceci to bolster the right side of the defence corps (the Sharks received a 2025 third-rounder along with Ceci for fellow D-man Ty Emberson).

It's debatable that Ceci could play more effectively on the second pairing with Dylan Samberg than Neal Pionk will. Plus, when you consider the amount of cap space available and subtract a Perfetti extension (which likely falls in the $3.25 to $3.75 million range), adding Ceci would have forced the Jets to move someone else out in order to make the money work.

And while Ceci's cap hit is $3.25 million, his salary is actually $3.75 million this season (after he made $4.5 million last season). his salary would be easier to absorb closer to the NHL trade deadline for teams that are able to accrue cap space over the course of the season rather than add him right now. The Jets also could be aiming higher if they choose to add a blue-liner at some point this season.

Wiebe suggests that Cody Ceci would have been a solid alternative for the Jets, but the cap restrictions for the team concerning re-signing Cole Perfetti to a long term deal would have put Cheveldayoff in a tight spot.

If the Winnipeg Jets find themselves in a position to add a blue-liner at the trade deadline, Wiebe suggests that aiming higher to a more prolific player would be more suitable for the team.

source: The Free Press
Perfetti's contract status, Ehlers' future are hot topics in Jetsville