The Winnipeg Jets have a decision to make-and the clock is ticking.
As the NHL trade deadline inches closer, the situation surrounding defenseman Logan Stanley is becoming one of the more intriguing storylines in Winnipeg. Once a depth piece on the blue line, Stanley has played his way into a career year, and with unrestricted free agency looming this summer, his future with the Jets is anything but certain.
Stanley’s name first popped up on Chris Johnston’s trade board in early January, landing at No. 16.
That wasn’t exactly shocking. The 6-foot-7 blueliner has been making noise this season-not just with his physical presence, but on the scoresheet as well.
After scoring just one goal per season through his first five campaigns, Stanley has already racked up eight goals and seven assists in 51 games. For a defenseman who’s long been known more for his size and shutdown ability than his offensive upside, that’s a notable leap-especially in a contract year.
Johnston didn’t just include Stanley on the list-he attached a bold potential price tag to him, suggesting the pending UFA could command a deal worth $25 million or more this summer. While there was no mention of term, the number alone turned heads across the league. That kind of projection signals just how much Stanley’s stock has risen-and how much the Jets could potentially gain or lose, depending on how they handle this situation.
Since then, Stanley’s ranking on Johnston’s board has fluctuated. He dropped to 22nd in one update before climbing back to 15th in the latest version.
Meanwhile, teammate Luke Schenn, another UFA on the Jets’ blue line, has hovered near the top of the list, peaking at No. 5 before sliding back to eighth. Prospect Brad Lambert, once listed at No. 30 amid reports of a possible trade request, has since fallen off the board entirely.
But it’s Stanley’s case that feels most pressing. Speaking last week, the defenseman acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future, but kept his focus on the team’s playoff push.
“You definitely think about your future and what’s going on,” Stanley said. “I think everybody would be lying if they said they didn’t think about that.
There’s a lot of aspects you’re thinking about-family, kids, everything like that. But you try to block it out, come every day and try to work your hardest.
Whatever happens, happens. Trying to help this team push to get into that race to make the playoffs, and that’s what I’m most focused on.
The rest will take care of itself.”
It’s a candid, human response from a player in the thick of a pivotal moment in his career. But while Stanley is keeping his head down and grinding, the front office can’t afford to do the same.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, there’s been no contract extension dialogue between Stanley, the Jets, and his representatives. That’s a significant detail. Winnipeg may be focused on staying in the playoff hunt, but if the standings shift and the Jets find themselves on the outside looking in, Stanley could quickly become a valuable trade chip.
“If they pivot to sell mode,” Dreger said, “then I’d look at somebody like big defenceman Logan Stanley. He’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. There has been no contract extension dialogue between Stanley, the Jets, and the agent involved, so he could be a piece that betters their position in the draft-but it’s too early.”
Too early, maybe. But not by much.
The trade deadline is March 6, and the Jets can’t afford to sit on their hands. Whether they believe Stanley is part of their long-term plans or not, letting him walk for nothing would be a clear misstep in asset management.
If there’s no extension coming-and right now, there’s no sign that one is-then Winnipeg has to make a move.
Stanley’s breakout season has put him on the radar of teams looking for size, mobility, and a little scoring from the back end. That’s not a bad place to be, especially with leverage in hand. Now it’s up to the Jets to decide how they want to play it.