Logan Stanley’s Breakout Season Puts Jets at a Crossroads
In a season where little has gone right for the Winnipeg Jets, one unexpected storyline has emerged: Logan Stanley-nicknamed “The Stanimal”-has become a breakout performer and a fan favorite. But with the Jets sitting nine points out of the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot and just one game left before the Olympic break, the team finds itself at a pivotal moment. The question now isn’t just about how to regroup for next season-it’s whether Stanley should be part of that future.
Let’s start with the facts: Stanley is having a career year. Through 54 games, he’s already posted nine goals and nine assists-good for 18 points-and has racked up a career-high 97 penalty minutes.
That’s a massive jump in production for the 27-year-old defenseman, who had just five goals total over his previous five NHL seasons. He hit the six-goal mark back on December 15 against the Ottawa Senators, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
This offensive surge has turned heads, and for good reason. Stanley has always been known more for his size-he stands a towering 6-foot-7-and physicality than for his scoring touch. But this season, he’s showing a new dimension to his game, and it couldn’t be coming at a more important time for him personally.
Drafted 18th overall by Winnipeg in 2016, Stanley’s path to NHL relevance has been anything but smooth. After four years in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and Kitchener Rangers, he spent two seasons with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, where he tallied nine goals and 32 points. He made his NHL debut in the 2020-21 season, but his development has been uneven ever since.
Injuries derailed his 2022-23 campaign-first a broken ankle, then a high-ankle sprain just one game after returning. The following season, he was often a healthy scratch, eventually requesting a trade out of frustration. Though that trade never materialized, it was clear Stanley felt his growth was being stunted in Winnipeg.
Now, Stanley is averaging a career-best 16:33 of ice time per game and contributing in all the ways you’d expect from a big-bodied blueliner: 89 hits, 67 blocks, and a willingness to drop the gloves when needed. He’s been a physical force on the back end, and this newfound offensive upside has only added to his value.
Which brings us to the big decision facing GM Kevin Cheveldayoff: extend him or trade him?
Stanley is in the final year of a two-year, $2.5 million deal signed in July 2024, and he’s set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. According to league insiders, he could be in line for a contract worth upwards of $25 million. That’s potentially $5 million or more per year-an eye-popping number for a player whose offensive breakout came seemingly out of nowhere.
So, what’s the move here? If you’re the Jets, do you ride the wave and commit to Stanley long-term, or do you sell high and extract maximum value while his stock is soaring?
There’s reason to believe the latter might be the smart play. Stanley’s production spike has coincided with a contract year-a familiar script in professional sports.
Whether it’s motivation, opportunity, or a bit of both, he’s clearly playing with something to prove. But that also makes it harder to project his future.
Is this the new normal, or a well-timed hot streak?
The Jets haven’t started formal contract talks with Stanley’s camp, and multiple reports suggest he’s a strong candidate to be moved before the trade deadline. Veteran defenseman Luke Schenn is also expected to be dealt, with insiders noting that Winnipeg may look to offload more than one blueliner as they retool.
One potential trade partner to watch? The Detroit Red Wings. There’s been chatter that Winnipeg and Detroit could be a match, with Stanley possibly included in a larger deal.
For Schenn, the writing seems to be on the wall. At 36, he’s not part of the Jets’ long-term vision, and while he brings leadership and grit, his mobility has declined. Winnipeg would be wise to flip him for future assets, even if the return is modest.
But Stanley is a different case. He’s younger, producing, and showing signs of becoming the player the Jets hoped for when they drafted him a decade ago.
That’s why this decision carries real weight. Hold onto him, and you risk overpaying for a flash-in-the-pan season.
Trade him now, and you might regret letting a late bloomer walk just as he’s hitting his stride.
This is the kind of moment that tests a front office’s ability to evaluate not just what a player is, but what he will be. If Stanley’s value is truly at its peak, and contenders are dangling first-round picks or high-end prospects, that’s hard to ignore.
The Jets have to look at the big picture. With the team trending toward a retool, maximizing return on an asset like Stanley could be the smart, if difficult, move.
There will be fans who want to see Stanley stick around. He’s earned that support with his play this season. But in a league where timing is everything, Winnipeg may never get a better opportunity to cash in.
The clock’s ticking.