The Jets began the off-season by sending Moe Mantha to the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete a trade on March 5, 1984, in which Winnipeg acquired Randy Carlyle for the Jets first round draft pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft and future considerations.
The club announced that interim head coach Barry Long would be retained, after he led the Jets to a 25–25–9 record after replacing Tom Watt.
On June 13, 1984, Winnipeg traded team captain Lucien DeBlois to the Montreal Canadiens for Perry Turnbull.
Turnbull split the 1983–84 season between the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens, scoring 20 goals and 35 points in 72 games.
The Jets named Dale Hawerchuk as DeBlois' replacement as team captain.