A left-handed shooting defenceman is on the wish list of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

But what exactly does that mean for the Winnipeg Jets as free agency officially opens on July 1?

At least as it stands right now, the Jets top-four appears to be set, with some combination of Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, Toby Enstrom and Jacob Trouba occupying those spots.

That's assuming the Jets keep Trouba and get the pending restricted free agent signed to a new contract.

The debate over who Byfuglien will be playing with and which of the three right-handed shooters plays on the left side this season remains.

For what it's worth, you can mark me down for shifting Byfuglien over to the left side as a way to help increase Trouba's productivity.

But I digress.

The battle for who occupies the final spots on the back end figures to be under the microscope when training camp opens, no matter what happens in the coming weeks.

The mix of returnees and prospects vying for jobs 5-through-8 (if the Jets follow the same roster composition of last season) already includes Ben Chiarot, Mark Stuart, Paul Postma, Julian Melchiori and 2013 first-rounder Josh Morrissey, along with a few others who are a little further down the depth chart.

Since the Jets endured some defensive struggles last season — that obviously included, but was not limited to the blue-liners — they'll be looking at all options when it comes to improving the back end.

But right now, it seems like a stretch the Jets would be looking at bigger-ticket items like Kris Russell, Jason Demers or Brian Campbell.

Nor were they expected to be among the teams in serious consideration to sign Keith Yandle or Alex Goligoski as unrestricted free agents before they were traded to the Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes respectively and inked to long-term deals for big money.

Trying to make a deal for the offensively gifted Tyson Barrie, a pending restricted free agent, doesn't look likely either at this point.

The Jets approach to defence in free agency could change dramatically if Trouba is traded, but if that was a front-burner option, the 2012 first-rounder probably would have been moved at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo.

For the time being, the expectation is that the Jets will be looking to add defensive depth, someone to be in the competition on the third pairing or perhaps supply a veteran voice to Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League if they don't make the big club.

Here are five players who could fit the criteria and be low-risk additions on short-term deals:

Patrick Wiercioch — Just three years removed from putting up a career-high 23 points for the Ottawa Senators, the six-foot-five, 202-pounder has some offensive upside and is looking to rebound after putting up on five assists in 52 games after seeing a reduced role under Dave Cameron.

Klas Dahlbeck — The Swede appeared in a career-high 71 games last season and is a steady, stay-at-home blue-liner who is strong defensively and turns 25 in July. Third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011 is six-foot-three and 207 pounds and would add some size.

Stuart Percy — Chosen 25th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2011, Percy is looking for a fresh start after he wasn't given a qualifying offer. A strong puck-mover who was as a high-point guy in junior and put up 25 points in the AHL as a rookie, adding four goals and 24 points for the Toronto Marlies last season.

Brandon Gormley— It's been a tough road for the guy chosen 13th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes. He's about to join his third NHL organization, has played only 58 NHL games and is looking to recapture the form that allowed him to have a strong junior career that included a trip to the Memorial Cup in Brandon in 2010 with the Moncton Wildcats. Endured some injury woes, had some issues with his foot speed, but has the tools to find his way if put in the right situation.

Justin Falk— After being part of a Calder Cup winner with the Lake Erie Monsters this season, the Snowflake product would provide some leadership and solidify the left side down on the farm. Turns 28 in fall and has 171 NHL games on his resume, including 24 last season with the Columbus Blues Jackets. Would be a replacement for Andrew MacWilliam, who isn't expected to be brought back by the Jets.

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