After the Jets got all their RFA work done this summer folks began to turn their attention to the two players who were eligible to sign contract extensions on July 1st being captain Adam Lowry and top winger Kyle Connor.
When we spoke with the captain six days ago he didn’t have a contract update aside from indicating “…I love playing in Winnipeg. I don’t see an issue with us getting something done eventually”. During his response he did also allude to Connor and his yet unsigned extension saying “..I think there’s another guy that’s a little more important than me”.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Following day 1 of training camp we heard from both Kyle Connor (watch here) and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff (watch here) neither of whom had much to provide by way of an update regarding an extension.
On the subject of where things stand Connor indicated:
“I’m really just focused on myself. Being the best player I can. Let the business take care of the business. All I can do is control how I come to the rink everyday and that stuff will take care of itself.”
He was then asked what’s most important on his next deal:
“Like I said I’m not focused on it really. I’m coming here to focus on what I can do to be the best player I can on the ice. So that’s not really on my mind right now.”
Does he have a preference as to how this plays out?
“There are so many different ways something can come together or not, just kind of leave that to the business side of it.”
Shortly thereafter we heard from Kevin Cheveldayoff who was asked about the player who could potentially be one of the top free agents on the market next summer.
“Kyle Connor. Adam Lowry. Very important aspects of the organizations. Everything takes on different things, every contract negotiation is different. Every player is different. We’ve had great dialogue with KC’s representatives and continue to have that. He’s a big part. Adam’s a big part. We had great success as a group and we’d like keep on pushing forward.”
He was asked if he was comfortable if this goes beyond training camp or would he like to get it done prior to the start of the season.
“You’d like to have it done yesterday. Those are things you keep pushing towards. Every conversation you are kinda hopeful that this is the one that closes it type thing. I don’t know that it’s a timeframe sort of thing. It’s something you just keep on working at it. I wouldn’t say grinding at it. I’d just say working at it.”
Of course both the player and organization keep things tight to their respective vests when it comes to this type of thing so it wouldn’t be a shocker if they announce a deal sometime during training camp.
