Jets Defenseman Luke Schenn Could Be Traded Before 2026 NHL Deadline

Veteran blueliner may find new home as Winnipeg looks to shake up roster

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Winnipeg Jets have struggled this season and are expected to be active ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. One player who could be on the move is veteran defenseman Luke Schenn, who has seen his role reduced and may be open to a change of scenery. Schenn, a former first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has over 1,100 games of NHL experience and could be a target for contending teams looking to add depth on the blue line.

Why it matters

As the Jets look to retool their roster, moving Schenn could free up playing time for younger defensemen and provide the team with assets to address other needs. Schenn's experience and Stanley Cup pedigree could make him an attractive trade target for teams looking to bolster their defensive corps ahead of a playoff push.

The details

Schenn, 32, is playing just under 14 minutes per game for the Jets this season, a significant drop from previous years. He was also made a healthy scratch earlier this year, leading to speculation that he could be traded. The Jets have several pending free agents, including forward Jonathan Toews, that they may look to move at the deadline to recoup value.

  • The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is set for March 6.
  • Schenn was acquired by the Jets at last season's trade deadline in a deal with the Nashville Predators.

The players

Luke Schenn

A veteran defenseman with over 1,100 games of NHL experience, Schenn was a first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008 and has won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kevin Cheveldayoff

The general manager of the Winnipeg Jets, who will have to make difficult roster decisions ahead of the trade deadline as the team struggles this season.

Jonathan Toews

A future Hall of Fame forward for the Jets who is set to enter free agency this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“They have a lot of defensemen, and it's pretty clear that Luke Schenn is one of the pieces they're dangling, he's another player I could see dealt relatively near term.”

— Chris Johnston, Insider (TSN)

“There's already some rumblings around that they're even looking at a third trip through with Luke Schenn right now. Obviously, at this stage of Luke's career, I think that the acquisition cost would be more modest and worked really well with him and Morgan Rielly. So we'll see if that's something that comes to fruition, but certainly have heard some talk in that direction.”

— Chris Johnston, Insider (The Chris Johnston Show)

What’s next

The Jets will have to decide in the coming weeks whether to trade Schenn ahead of the March 6 deadline or hold onto the veteran defenseman.

The takeaway

Schenn's potential trade could be part of a larger roster shakeup for the struggling Jets, who may look to retool their team by moving pending free agents and veterans like Schenn to acquire assets and open up playing time for younger players.