This will be a much different offseason than the one prior to the start of the 2020-21 season. The NHL expects to get underway in October and timelines are more condensed with the NHL Draft taking place at the end of July instead of June and free agency happening four weeks later than usual. Add in the fact that the Seattle expansion draft takes place on July 21st and it is going to be one busy summer for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and his staff.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
According to CapFriendly the Jets have 21 players (22 if you include Bryan Little) under contact for the 2021-22 campaign which means there are a number of UFAs and RFAs that will be in need of new contracts either with Winnipeg or with new NHL/AHL teams or a team overseas. Included in brackets is their 2020-21 caphit.
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs):
Paul Stastny ($6,500,000)
Mathieu Perreault ($4,125,000)
Nate Thompson ($750,000)
Trevor Lewis ($750,000)
Dominic Toninato ($700,000)
Jordie Benn ($2,000,000)
Derek Forbort ($1,000,000)
Tucker Poolman ($775,000)
Laurent Brossoit ($1,500,000)
Eric Comrie ($700,000) – group 6 UFA
Restricted free agents (RFAs):
Andrew Copp ($2,280,000) – arbitration eligible
Marko Dano ($700,000) – arbitration eligible
Neal Pionk ($3,000,000) – arbitration eligible
Logan Stanley ($863,333)
And normally the Manitoba Moose have a number of players, both prospects and depth players, who are in need of new deals, however this year it is just a few players. One to watch will be Jets 2017 3rd rounder Johnny Kovacevic who, in his second year as a pro, really emerged as a force on the Manitoba blueline and has and will continue to earn himself some looks for Winnipeg as a very capable right shot defenceman with size (6’5″).
Restricted free agents (RFAs):
Johnny Kovacevic ($792,500) – arbitration eligible
Luke Green ($733,333)
Cole Kehler ($700,000)
Skyler McKenzie ($741,666)
