Post by Winnipeg GM on Apr 26, 2014 12:14:58 GMT -5
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA-
After a slew of deals, things have been quiet in Winnipeg. Sean Croft has added quality assets, and has brought Abbotsford into the playoff picture in the AsHL. The Jets are 3-5-2 since the new GM took over, and will certainly miss the playoffs this season. With that said, there have been a lot of questions about Travis Zajac, and his future in Winnipeg. Despite the team falling out of the playoffs and appearing to be in a rebuild, Croft seems pretty set on sticking with Zajac.
“He’s a number one center. He’s our number one center,” said Croft prior to this morning’s skate at the MTS Centre. “I’m not keen on moving him out of here, I don’t really see the point.”
Neither do most people who have seen his play as of late. Zajac has a team leading 52 points this season (24 goals and 28 assists), and has had tremendous chemistry with Andrew Ladd as of late. At 28 years old and with 4 years left on his contract, it seems as if the Jets are committed to Zajac. And by all accounts, he is committed to the Jets as well.
“This is where I want to be,” said Zajac. “I understand the business end of it, and I can’t control that, but I love the city and my teammates. Ideally, this is where I want to be, that’s why I signed a contract to stay here.”
Sources tell us that there have been two offers in just as many days for Zajac, and they seem to be significant. When questioned about it, Sean Croft seemed to play it off as nothing.
“I get offers for players every day, so this is nothing new. He’s a great player and teams are trying to make noise in the playoffs. They wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they didn’t ask.”
When asked about specifics in regards to the offers, he said, “I don’t negotiate in public.”
[UPDATE 9:30AM EST] A 3RD OFFER HAS BEEN MADE, AND A 3RD OFFER HAS BEEN REJECTED.
Our sources have told us that in each deal, a “Zajac-like downgrade” was offered, along with prospects and/or draft picks. Both players would fit in with Croft’s rebuild, but he values Zajac too much at this point to consider moving him. One source stated that a “king’s ransom” would be the only thing that could land Travis Zajac at this time. One player that could be had though is veteran forward Raffi Torres. Apparently, Torres has told the Jets that he will waive his No Trade Clause to go to a playoff team, however, he will not waive it again once he is dealt.
“I just want some stability,” said Torres this morning. “Obviously a No Trade Clause protects a player, keeps him where he wanted to be. Obviously I want to be here, but at this point in my career, winning a Stanley Cup is paramount. I also want to go to a place and stay there.”
If a team lands Torres, they get a solid depth forward with another year left on his contract, which is also salary cap friendly. Things have been quiet in Winnipeg for the last week or so, but it seems as if that is going to change within the next 6 days.
Ted Wyman
Winnipeg Sun
After a slew of deals, things have been quiet in Winnipeg. Sean Croft has added quality assets, and has brought Abbotsford into the playoff picture in the AsHL. The Jets are 3-5-2 since the new GM took over, and will certainly miss the playoffs this season. With that said, there have been a lot of questions about Travis Zajac, and his future in Winnipeg. Despite the team falling out of the playoffs and appearing to be in a rebuild, Croft seems pretty set on sticking with Zajac.
“He’s a number one center. He’s our number one center,” said Croft prior to this morning’s skate at the MTS Centre. “I’m not keen on moving him out of here, I don’t really see the point.”
Neither do most people who have seen his play as of late. Zajac has a team leading 52 points this season (24 goals and 28 assists), and has had tremendous chemistry with Andrew Ladd as of late. At 28 years old and with 4 years left on his contract, it seems as if the Jets are committed to Zajac. And by all accounts, he is committed to the Jets as well.
“This is where I want to be,” said Zajac. “I understand the business end of it, and I can’t control that, but I love the city and my teammates. Ideally, this is where I want to be, that’s why I signed a contract to stay here.”
Sources tell us that there have been two offers in just as many days for Zajac, and they seem to be significant. When questioned about it, Sean Croft seemed to play it off as nothing.
“I get offers for players every day, so this is nothing new. He’s a great player and teams are trying to make noise in the playoffs. They wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they didn’t ask.”
When asked about specifics in regards to the offers, he said, “I don’t negotiate in public.”
[UPDATE 9:30AM EST] A 3RD OFFER HAS BEEN MADE, AND A 3RD OFFER HAS BEEN REJECTED.
Our sources have told us that in each deal, a “Zajac-like downgrade” was offered, along with prospects and/or draft picks. Both players would fit in with Croft’s rebuild, but he values Zajac too much at this point to consider moving him. One source stated that a “king’s ransom” would be the only thing that could land Travis Zajac at this time. One player that could be had though is veteran forward Raffi Torres. Apparently, Torres has told the Jets that he will waive his No Trade Clause to go to a playoff team, however, he will not waive it again once he is dealt.
“I just want some stability,” said Torres this morning. “Obviously a No Trade Clause protects a player, keeps him where he wanted to be. Obviously I want to be here, but at this point in my career, winning a Stanley Cup is paramount. I also want to go to a place and stay there.”
If a team lands Torres, they get a solid depth forward with another year left on his contract, which is also salary cap friendly. Things have been quiet in Winnipeg for the last week or so, but it seems as if that is going to change within the next 6 days.
Ted Wyman
Winnipeg Sun