The Winnipeg Jets and star forward Kyle Connor could be close on a contract extension. The news comes ahead of the club’s season opener against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
Much of the offseason discussion has focused on Connor, who’s entering the final year of a seven-year, $50 million contract. The situation has become even more pressing considering the loss the Jets faced this past season as Nikolaj Ehlers departed via free agency.
According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the Jets could be on the verge of extending their top scorer. He stated:
“Hearing Jets and Kyle Connor have made progress on a long-term extension.”
In a separate X post, Friedman noted:
“Expecting AAV will be in the 12s.”
If that’s the case, Kyle Connor’s deal would come close to Connor McDavid’s contract extension signed on Monday. While Connor has earned the right to a hefty payday, it’s interesting, nonetheless, to see him get close to McDavid’s cap hit.
Be that as it may, Connor and the Jets would like to get the deal out of the way before the start of the season. If so, it would be a huge boost for the Jets to get that situation out of the way.
Otherwise, the Jets could face needless distractions and speculation the longer it takes to get a deal in the books.
Connor Has Been Jets’ Leading Scorer
Kyle Connor’s numbers with the Winnipeg Jets have been nothing short of remarkable. Last season, he led the club with 41 goals and 97 points in all 82 games. The year before, Connor went through numerous injuries, limiting him to just 65 games. Still, he scored 34 goals and 61 points in that span.
In the two previous years, Connor scored 80 points in 82 games for the Jets, while the 2021-22 season was a breakout campaign in which the 28-year-old notched 47 goals and 93 points in 79 games.
Those numbers have earned Connor a crucial spot in the Jets’ lineup. Most importantly, he’ll be looking to continue building on his totals, potentially topping 100 points for the first time in his career.
Winnipeg Locks up Key Top-Six Forward
The Jets locked up a key top-six forward ahead of the season opener. The club inked winger Nikita Chibrikov to a two-year deal with an AAV of $875K.
The 22-year-old was the Jets’ second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s entering the final year of his entry-level deal and needs a new contract. He’s played in all of five NHL games, recording three goals and one assist.
His showing in training camp this fall earned him a spot on the Jets’ second line with center Jonathan Toews and newcomer Gustav Nyquist. The club has high hopes for Chibrikov, who could prove to be another valuable asset for the team.
The Jets will be looking to supplant Nikolaj Ehlers’ production. So, a solid season from Chibrikov could be a move in the right direction. The Russian prospect could cement himself as a mainstay in Winnipeg’s lineup for the foreseeable future.
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