I'm not well versed on either of these teams honestly so if this is unrealistic/over/underpayment then please tell me and give me some constructive criticism. I definetly think that Anderson would be a rental (cap) and can easily be removed for afformentioned cap reasons. Savard would be a little hard to fit but I think he's a solid upgrade on Kulikov and Kulikov's contract expires this year.

CBJ can probably get a little more as Anderson has a fair amount of value still being under RFA and coming off a 40 pt season. As for the question in the title, its really hard to say. Hellebyuck is pulling a Hall (from 2 years ago) and literally forcing his team to the playoffs. I think they still lack that true offensive 2C and their RD depth is still pretty questionable. without addressing those needs first I think cup contender is a bit of a reach. They seem to be in NYR's good books, i could see them making an offer for Ryan Strome. Unlike thier last two 2C rentals Strome will still be an RFA at season's end and like his brother Dylan, seems to flourish when playing with elite wingers. However Wheeler seems to be doing pretty good at 2C right now, Maybe doing what CGY did with Lindholm and Monahan will work better for WPG

I think Anderson’s value has been blown out of proportion because of his one year with Panarin which blew up his numbers. Now, sans Panarin he is likely showing his true colors. Although I do think he’s a 30-35 point player in the nhl and he’s just having a bad time this year if you go back all the way to the playoffs last year he has like 2 goals in his last 50 some games.

Hellebuyck is super impressive this year. And the couple times I have watched Jets this year they have looked great in every facet of the game.

Thats probably fairly accurate, we are seeing the exact same effect from Panarin with Zibanejad and Strome now.

Panarin did it to these guys, Thornton did it for a declining Heatley, an overachieving Cheechoo and Setoguchi. All these guys owe Jumbo and Panarin lots and lots of cash.

Panarin and Kane also did it for Anisimov, Kuch and Stamkos did it for Namestnikov. You see it all over the league

I do think WPG could be a contender, but don't see any major moves happening/needed. Their biggest glaring weakness today is their penalty kill unit, which has been surrendering 27% to opposing teams.

Just spit-balling names that I have seen on CFGM that can play center, kill penalties well, and are relatively inexpensive

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (OTT)
Cedric Paquette (TB)
Mark Janokowski (CGY)
Pavel Zacha (NJD)

Totally. I just went off of what I have seen personally as a Sharks fan.

Zibanejad had been increasing his production the last few years so I dont think he was impacted much. Strome on the other hand, if the Rangers can get anything more than a 3rd for him in a trade they can thank Panarin.
In terms of are the Jets contenders, they can be. There is talk of Buff coming back slowly so that will certainly help. I dont think they need Anderson though. Savard would be a great get for them though.
I forgot who said it above, but they should target Pageau in a trade.

The Jets aren't a contender and this trade isn't good for them nor does it make them a contender.

As a Jets fan, I think we can squeak in playoffs. I wouldn’t want Chevy to make any moves though. The past two season we’ve made trades for a rental C. It’s not sustainable to keep trading for a rental C year after year. I honestly think wheeler is our 2c for the future. If anything the Jets should target a guy who can play bottom 6 and pk. They need to improve on their pk or they won’t do any damage. As for the blue line. It’s been surviving while being held together by duck tape and glue. The unfortunate thing is that right now, they can’t do anything until they know what’s happening with Byfuglien. It seems like he’s going to be returning mid-feb. Only way we can make a trade for a dman before that is if kulikov is sent the other way. I think once the jets are fully healthy, they’re a scary team especially with how Hellebuyck is playing.

The issue with JGP is he would be Winnipeg's 3rd UFA center pick up in a row, if he walks they will have scewed themselves for a very long time, i suggested strome because even if his numbers are boksted by Panarin, guys like Ehlers, Connor, Wheeler, and Laine cane do the same thing, and he cant walk in the off season. They just need someone not offensively challenged in the 2C role. However, the play may be tp leave wheer there and focus more on the blue line

Makes sense on Strome. I just dont know how much longer he can sustain it in a much tougher defensive division like the Central. Maybe he could.