Christian, who lost his captaincy midway through the 1982–83 season, had 79 goals and 209 points in 230 games with Winnipeg since breaking into the NHL one week after winning the gold medal with the 1980 US Olympic Team.
Six picks later, at 14th overall, which the Jets had acquired from the Washington Capitals in the Dave Christian trade, Winnipeg selected defenseman Bobby Dollas from the Laval Voisins of the QMJHL.
Later, in the fourth round, the Jets selected goaltender Bob Essensa from the Henry Carr Crusaders Jr. B team.
The Jets made a few minor transactions during the off-season, trading Norm Dupont to the Hartford Whalers for the Whalers fourth round draft pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, and releasing Bryan Maxwell and Larry Hopkins.
The Jets biggest trade was acquiring Tim Young from the Minnesota North Stars for Craig Levie and Tom Ward.