FREE AGENCY: Schmidt buyout adds extra cash to Jets’ free-agent kitty

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The Winnipeg Jets will head to the open free-agent market on Monday with some extra cash to spend.

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Kevin Cheveldayoff freed up $3.2 million under the cap on Sunday after the general manager put defenceman Nate Schmidt on unconditional waivers, a precursor to buying out the 32-year-old fan favourite.

The move bumped Cheveldayoff’s free-agency kitty to just under $12 million while opening up a spot on the right side of the blue-line the team will look to address.

The Jets head into Monday with several needs, including shoring up their second-line centre position, bolstering their defence and finding a backup netminder behind two-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.

They must also set aside money for their five restricted free agents who need new deals this summer.

Cole Perfetti leads the list, with an expected two-year bridge deal projected in the $3 million range.

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David Gustafsson, Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola and Simon Lundmark — Winnipeg’s other RFAs — will also need deals. All five received their qualifying offers on Sunday.

Additional space can be had if Nikolaj Ehlers is dealt, a move that, depending on the return, could add another $6 million to the coffers.

Cheveldayoff seemed to cool the Ehlers trade talk at the NHL Draft over the weekend, however, comparing it to similar speculation made last summer regarding Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck — both of whom signed long-term extensions with the Jets.

Trading someone like Ehlers or disgruntled prospect Rutger McGroarty could also help the Jets address an area of need.

Much remains to be seen on both fronts.

Let’s look at Winnipeg’s cap picture and who they could target on Monday.

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Cap Space: $11,986,309 (per CapFriendly)
Roster Size: 17/23
Committed to Forwards: 12 – $43,622,024 (49.6% of cap)
Committed to Defence: 4 – $18,425,000 (20%)
Committed to Goalies: 1 – $8,500,000 (9.7%)

Forward

Unless the Jets plan on handing Brad Lambert the reins or moving Perfetti back into his natural position, Cheveldayoff must find someone to fill the void at the second-line centre spot.

Given what we know, the Jets have been trying to hash out an extension with Monahan, whom they acquired in February. So it appears promoting Lambert or shuffling Perfetti off the wing isn’t Plan A.

Monahan stabilized the team’s second line, provided scoring, was a helpful addition on special teams and was a reliable option at the face-off dot.

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AFP Analytics, which projects player contracts, shows Monahan’s next deal in the $5.3 million range.

If a deal cannot be made, the Jets could switch their focus to 30-year-old Chandler Stephenson and his projected $5.6 million AAV.

Stephenson hits the UFA market Monday after four seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights.

He is best known for his impressive run helping the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. In 22 games, he scored 10 times and added 10 helpers.

A late bloomer, Stephenson had back-to-back 60-point seasons before dropping to 51 in 75 games last season as Vegas struggled for large chunks of the campaign.

Other options: C Alex Wennberg ($3.8 million)

Defence

Buying out Schmidt could put Winnipeg back in the conversation for a bigger name on the free-agent board.

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Brandon Montour, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce lead a list of players who will likely get decent raises, which puts them outside Winnipeg’s scope.

One name the Jets could consider is Matt Roy, who is headed to free agency after six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Detroit native checks all of the boxes for Winnipeg’s blue-line.

He’s big — 6-foot-2, 210 pounds — is a right-hand shot, is defensively responsible, plays physical and can add a touch of offence.

The 29-year-old’s projected deal is a five-year term with a $5.8 million AAV.

Last with Nashville, Alexandre Carrier is a cheaper alternative in the $3-million range.

The 27-year-old right-shot plays a physical game despite his 5-foot-11, 174-pound frame and blocks a lot of shots. He’d be a good option as a third-paring guy with rookie Heinola.

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Other options: RHD Sean Walker ($4.6 million)

Goalie

The return of Eric Comrie makes a lot of sense.

He thrived under Winnipeg goaltending coach Wade Flaherty, is slated to make the league minimum next year ($775,000), and understands what it means to be Hellebuyck’s backup.

Cheveldayoff told reporters at the draft that they’re looking for someone who can handle a lighter load. Comrie has done this before and managed to produce solid numbers with infrequent work.

If not the former Jet, Winnipegger Chris Driedger is another option.

He spent most of last season in the American Hockey League, but his NHL numbers are solid as a career backup: a 31-24-5 record, a 2.45 goals-against average, and a .917 save percentage.

Like Comrie, Driedger is also projected to make the league minimum.

Other options: Jack Campbell ($775,000)

sbilleck@postmedia.com

X: @scottbilleck

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