Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff speaks ahead of 2023 NHL Draft

On Wheeler:
“We’re looking at all our options with Blake and buyout is one of the options that we are looking at but sometimes you can get creative in this game as well. You’re looking at all the different options before you make your final decision.”

On Scheifele and Hellebuyck:
“Helle and Scheif are big parts of our franchise…..but for us right now our focus is they’re Winnipeg Jets and we’re looking forward to moving forward with them.”

In Rasmus Kupari:
“When we go back and look at the history of our draft lists we had him in his draft year ranked very high but didn’t have a pick that year.”

On opportunity in top 9 with a variety of different players (including 91 at centre):
“It will give an opportunity to a player like Cole Perfetti to grow. He was a top 10 draft pick for us as a centreman and this is an opportunity.”

If he’s comfortable starting season with 55 & 37 on his team with expiring contracts:
He reiterated that they are Winnipeg Jets. “We’ll look at everything that comes to us but that doesn’t mean we’re jumping at anything.” He did say that he spoke to Scheifele’s representatives over the course of the last couple of days and told them “Look we’re listening but obviously it’s got to make sense for the Jets because these are good players. These players can help us win.”