EDIT: Alright, I get it- not my best work. I made a revised version of this, available through my profile.
Hypothetical moves I'd make this off-season and/or mid-season. Lines aren't set in stone. Tried to make trades/signings fair and/or overpay.
Trades:
Rakell, Manson for Dubois, 2021 1st (WPG)
-The Dubois experiment is over. With the Ducks heading toward a rebuild, they're likely to move Rakell and Manson, so a package deal seems realistic. What will likely be a low first-round pick aids in the rebuild, while they get a chance to work with Dubois and his potential, allowing him to move back to a first line and let the Ducks meet cap minimum.
Monahan, 2021 3rd (CGY) for Niku, Lowry, 2021 2nd (WPG), 2022 3rd (WPG)
-The Jets are likely to lose their center depth moving forward, which was one of the best in the league this year. They bring in Monahan, who gets to play alongside elites like Schiefele, Ehlers and Conner. In exchange, they lose Niku, who gets another chance elsewhere, and Lowry, who can help fill the void Monahan creates at a much cheaper price.
Jarnkrok for Harkins
-The Jets do not need Harkins, and Harkins does not need the Jets, as somewhat of the odd prospect out among many future stars. A Jarnkrok-Perfetti-Rakell line has the potential to light it up. If it doesn't, both Rakell and Jarnkrok have the potential to move up in the lineup and play in the top 6.
Signings:
Logan Stanley- continues to improve. A cheap, three year deal which may turn out to be extremely valuable near the tail-end.
Andrew Copp- had his best year this year. A must-have on the team moving forward, and deserves to be a top-6 forward.
Neal Pionk- worth keeping around a little longer. Not a bad defenseman when not on the first line.
Laurent Brossoit- in a weaker goalie market this year, keeping Brossoit, who was good if not great, may be the best strategy.
Trevor Lewis- a staple of the fourth line. Good presence this year, and will hopefully click with Boyd.
Travis Boyd- reliable center who can hold down the 4C slot and provide some experience to upcoming rookies.
Sam Gagner- Similar to Travis Boyd, here in case Harkins falters. Provides some experience for the bottom six, which will see Vesalainen and Perfetti playing.
Other:
Keeping Morrissey- I'm willing to give him at least one year with a solid partner. It's hard to say how he'll play with someone better than DeMelo. If he doesn't work with Manson, deal him at the deadline.
Rookies- Give the rookies a chance. Heinola should absolutely be playing next year. Perfetti can be a pre-season decision. Vesalainen might as well be given the opportunity, to be replaced with Gagner if it turns out poorly.
Picks- Major losses for the 2021 draft, but lower picks can be picked up. Still one pick for each of the first three rounds in 2022, and 2023 remains unchanged.
That's a gigantic overpay for Manson & Rakell. Give me Dubois over Monahan every day and I think it would be a mistake to move Lowry. Also if Logan Stanley is in the Top 4 next year I don't see the team being anything more than a bubble team again
Nobody wanted to choke out Dubois through the TV screen more than I did, but it's definitely too soon to give up on him yet. Besides, someone would need to convince Manson that Winnipeg is awesome (guess his pops didn't have high praise!) cuz last I heard, the Peg is on his NO list. And lastly, that's a heckuva price to pay for 2 players that are UFA in a year.
Nashville wouldn't do the last trade, but the first two are horrific trades for the Jets. Giving up Dubois for two rentals is outright ridiculous and even though Lowry isn't a superstar, I'd take him over 2 years of Monahan all day, every day.
Instead of pushing the Jets into contention, you've succeeded at pushing them into a lottery team.