Winnipeg Jets Made A Big Mistake Not Trading For Hometown Hero

This was particularly the case in 2019 when they had the chance to acquire a hometown hero to help bring the Stanley Cup to Winnipeg but failed to do so.

During the 2019 season, the Winnipeg Jets were one of the best teams in the NHL. They were looking to improve upon their conference finals appearance from the year prior.

At the time the Jets needed center help to strengthen their team depth. However, one of the best players available was a winger and hometown boy. Mark Stone during the 2018-19 season was an Ottawa Senator. After extension talks broke down they turned into trade talks. According to reports at the time the Winnipeg Jets were one of the interested teams.

The rumored price for Stone to go to Winnipeg at the time was Jack Roslovic and their First Round pick which of course was a late first-rounder. As mentioned the Jets needed center depth which led them out of the Mark Stone talks. They instead acquired Kevin Hayes.

Hayes would go on to play 20 regular season games plus playoffs with the Jets. He would ultimately decide to leave in free agency and go to Philadelphia.

On the other hand, Mark Stone got traded to Vegas. He would go on to become the Captain of the Golden Knights and one of their best players. This missed opportunity stings even more considering the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023.