Winnipeg Jets' Draft Target with 37th Pick – Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets

With the 2024 NHL draft taking place in less than a month, the draft list and rankings are starting to coalesce into what could move. The Winnipeg Jets are expected to pick up the 37th pick thanks to the Montreal Canadiens they acquired in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, and they could get legitimate value in that slot.

Related: 2024 NHL Draft Guide

That space has provided some value over the past few years, but is this one of those situations? Well, there are a lot of possibilities that could be on the board if the Jets are going to pick and they will have a chance to pick an impact number.

Tanner Howe, C/LW, Regina Pats (WHL)

H: 5-foot-11 W: 182 pounds
2023-24 Statistics: 68 GP – 28 G – 49 A – 77 P

Tanner Howe may not be the biggest body on the ice, but he may be the hardest worker. It's because of his style that he might not even be available for the Jets opener. That said, most positions have him starting anywhere between 25 and 45, with Hockey Writers is owned by Logan Horn making it #37 on his April Top 100.

Howe is known for his ability to make smart decisions up front, using his fearless style to get the puck and finish tackles. In recent years, teams have focused on the right kind of “grit,” which prioritizes a balance of offensive power and strong predictability. Having played with Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats, he has used that ability to help relieve things and can play that role with other talented players.

Howe fits that mold and would be a great pick if he falls to 37th. He projects as a mid-six winger with offensive upside. If he can clean up his defensive game, noted in his draft profile, his ceiling could be high.

H: 5-foot-11 W: 181 pounds
2023-24 Statistics: 44 GP – 27 G – 30 A – 57 P

Lucas Pettersson at 37 feels like he could be more accessible, but with a projected late first-round pick, he could be a bit more stable than that. If he can get down to 37, the Jets could be getting the closest thing to a first-round talent outside of the first round.

During his time with MoDo in Sweden, he has developed into a legitimate two-way center who plays incredibly well. His swing makes him one of the best players in the division, leading to speculation that he won't make it out of the first round.

That said, it has been noted that he will be quiet at times, leading to questions about his level of competition. If he's going to be a first-round pick, teams will have to look closely at whether it's a trend that can translate to the professional game.

Aron Kiviharju, LD, HIFK (Liiga)

H: 5-foot-11 W: 172 pounds
2023-24 Statistics: 7 GP – 1 G – 1 A – 2 P

Of the team's “highest risk, highest reward” targets, Aron Kiviharju is a talented defender who has missed almost the entire season due to injury. His track record, however, shows great potential and could be worth a gamble on this pick.

The NHL is trending toward a transition and skating-heavy league, and with the success of young, offensively-savvy defensemen, this is certainly a choice that fits the game's landscape. Kiviharju carries most of his strength in his transition game, using his incredible passing ability to break the puck out and keep things moving.

The skill set is clear, but his lack of playing time leaves many questions unanswered. He may need a few years to adjust to the North American game, but his style would be easy to integrate with a dynamic offensive line if the Jets choose to do so.

Dominik Badinka, RD, Malmö Redhawks J20 (Nationell)

H: 6-foot-3 W: 190 pounds
2023-24 Statistics: 17 GP – 2 G – 11 A – 13 P

Dominik Badinka split time between the Malmö Redhawks under-20 team and the top-level Swedish Hockey League (SHL) Redhawks, playing 33 games between the seniors. Despite his age, he is averaging about 15 minutes a night which is very rare to see in the SHL with a veteran.

Badinka is a big, puck-moving defenseman with good skating skills. For a young defenseman, according to his prospect profile, his hockey sense is off the charts. There is still some work to be done at the best of his game, but his overall talent as a puck mover is enough to open the eyes of NHL teams.

Related: 2024 NHL Draft Rankings – Forbes' Top 100 for May

Most projections have him sitting somewhere in the early to mid-second round, thought to be available at pick 37. Given the current state of the Jets' right side, a big, mobile defender of the future could be something. they stared into each other's eyes.

EJ Emery, RD, USA U18 (United States National Team Development Program)

H: 6-foot-3 W: 185 pounds
2023-24 Statistics: 61 GP – 0 G – 16 A – 16 P

Another big right-handed defenseman, EJ Emery has been seen in many draft rankings as a potential shutdown defenseman of the future. He's not flashy by any means, but his defensive ability and ability to move the puck are solid on the NHL end.

Scheduled to begin his tenure at the University of North Dakota, Emery will be at least a year or two away from making an impact at the professional level, but with his defensive prowess, it's safe to assume that the jump from college to the pros will be a welcome challenge.

One of his best attributes is his ability to counter the speed and force players to the outside, meaning he'll make a great counter to the fast-paced NHL. His offensive skills aren't surprising teams, but with his ability to facilitate breakouts while being a dominant linebacker, he appeared on the radar early in the second round. Combine that with his size and he could be an interesting pick for any team at that range.

Is There a Slam Dunk Pick?

Ultimately, like most other drafts, there will be some players who fall in the second round and still go on to become impactful NHLers. The truth, however, is that most of them will not find that success without a long way to go.

The five potential targets are based on what has happened in their new jobs so far, but what happens remains to be seen. The Jets, in recent years, have acquired what appears to be an early mid- and second-round value, but without any notable NHL success thus far.

Is this year different? Yes, with the other talents that will undoubtedly be available at 37, they have the opportunity to find real value when they approach the podium.