The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively hunting for a top-six winger after the recent trade of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. With most elite free agents already signed, the most viable solution appears to be a trade. Analyst Jeremy Tingly suggests that Nino Niederreiter of the Winnipeg Jets could be a low-risk addition to fill Marner’s gap. The Jets, having lost Nik Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes, would likely seek a winger in return, potentially making Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann attractive options for the Maple Leafs.

Niederreiter, 32, had a modest season last year with 17 goals but demonstrated playoff resilience with impressive hits, making him appealing to Toronto's general manager Brad Treliving. With nearly $5 million in cap space, the Leafs can absorb his $4 million salary without needing to increase their payroll significantly. However, the feasibility of the trade hinges on the Jets' willingness to consider the aforementioned players as part of the deal.

Mikko Rantanen's extraordinary playoff performance led the Dallas Stars to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 of their Western Conference Second Round matchup. Rantanen scored a natural hat trick in the second period, marking the first time an NHL player has achieved this feat in consecutive playoff games since Jari Kurri in 1985.

Despite the Jets' early lead thanks to Nino Niederreiter, Rantanen responded emphatically, scoring three goals within a span of just eight minutes. His impressive play has propelled him to the forefront of the postseason scoring, leading with 15 points, including 8 goals and 6 assists. Game 2 will take place in Winnipeg, where the Jets will look to rebound from this setback.

The Winnipeg Jets faced disappointment in their playoff opener against the Dallas Stars, falling 3-2 and losing home ice advantage. The standout performance came from Dallas' Mikko Rantanen, who scored a hat trick, marking his second consecutive three-goal game. Rantanen's combination of size and skill proved difficult for the Jets to contain, leaving them to strategize against his dominant presence on the ice. Coach Scott Arniel expressed frustration over their defensive lapses, particularly in failing to control Rantanen's scoring chances. Jets players like Mark Scheifele and Nico Niederreiter acknowledged Rantanen's elite abilities and emphasized the need for tighter defensive plays to limit his impact moving forward.

In a tightly contested Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs, the Winnipeg Jets fell to the Dallas Stars 3-2, showcasing both the return of Mark Scheifele and the struggles of the team. Scheifele, back from injury, managed to score despite not feeling at his best until later in the game. His teammates echoed his sentiments, noting a sluggish start that saw them outshot 9-0 before falling behind 3-1.

Coach Scott Arniel expressed disappointment in the team's performance, suggesting the game lacked the intensity expected in the playoffs. Nino Niederreiter acknowledged the need for sharper beginnings, emphasizing that playing against a seasoned opponent like the Stars demands more focus. The Jets have struggled with slow starts throughout the postseason, a trend they need to reverse quickly as they look to regain home-ice advantage in Game 2.

Cam Fowler, Brayden Schenn, and Nathan Walker propelled the St. Louis Blues to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, forcing a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. Key contributions came from Fowler, who notched a goal and an assist, and Jordan Binnington, who made 21 saves. The Blues displayed a dominant second period, scoring four goals, highlighted by Walker's strong play after a power play goal by the Jets. Despite Winnipeg’s Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter each finding the back of the net, Connor Hellebuyck struggled in goal, leading to Eric Comrie’s replacement in the third period.