Quoting: tsyls
From my understanding and what I’ve heard out of WPG is that the hope is that wheeler will waive his NMC so the Jets can protect an extra F, and they’ll likely be protecting Stanley over Demelo. Then again a side deal is another likely option. I’d imagine they’d use beaulieu as the bait, with a 2nd or 3rd and b prospect to sweeten the pot.
I haven’t seen anything about Wheeler being asked to waive. He’s their captain and still a really good 2RW, even if he’s now overpaid. I can’t see the Jets even considering that.
On the D, the debate will be Stanley and Demelo. Stanley was a 1st round pick 5 years ago, but only made the roster as the #6 D this year. He’s strictly a LD, and played EXTREMELY sheltered minutes this year. He did have a nice playoffs, so fans don’t want to lose him. Demelo is a strong, technically sound, smaller veteran defensive RD on a $3M per contract. He’s the perfect pair for a more offensive D. He helped Stanley on the third pair most of the season, but finally moved into the top 4 against EDM and played great.
The Jets have Stanley and two solid LD prospects on the cusp of making the NHL team. No depth on RD. Losing Demelo would create a big hole on RD, to protect a 3rd pair LD who might have a second pair, defensive D ceiling.
I would be shocked if the Jets protected Stanley over Demelo, but it could happen.
I doubt there is a side deal. They will lose a bottom 6/bottom pair asset, no use giving up another asset to try and protect depth pieces. Appleton is great, but the Jets need D and prospect capital.