While most folks focus on the players that are joining the Jets organization (and Moose) there are also a number of players who won’t be back next season wearing either a Winnipeg or Manitoba uniform.
NHL:
Chris Thorburn – The longtime NHL veteran played ten seasons for the Thrashers and Jets organization but was lost to Vegas during the NHL Expansion Draft. He wasn’t signed by the Golden Knights but he has a new home after being signed by the St. Louis Blues to a two-year deal worth $900,000.00 per year. First time he faces Jets: December 16th @ Blues (also plays in Winnipeg the next day).
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Paul Postma – He was drafted by the Thrashers in 2007 (7th round) and spent most of his time with the Jets although he did play for the IceCaps and Moose. He was signed by the Boston Bruins to a one-year, one-way deal for $750,000.00. First time he faces Jets: December 21st @ Bruins (plays in Winnipeg March 27th).
Ondrej Pavelec – Drafted in the 2nd round by the Thrashers back in 2005 he was the longtime netminder spending his entire career with Atlanta and Winnipeg. He lost favour with the coaching staff and was sent to the Manitoba Moose to begin the 2016-17 season where he remained until an injury necessitated his recall to the Jets. He played eight games before suffering a season ending injury. Thought was he may be going back to Europe for the upcoming season but he will instead be backing up Henrik Lundqvist in New York as the Rangers gave him a one-year deal for $1,300,000.00. First time he faces Jets: February 11th in Winnipeg.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
Alexander Burmistrov – Another longtime member of the Thrashers/Jets organization who was drafted by Atlanta back in the 1st round of 2010. He played in just 23 games for Winnipeg this past season but was placed on waivers (and claimed) by the Arizona Coyotes. They chose not to qualify him and today he was signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a one-year deal for $900,000.00. First time he faces Jets: October 12th @ Canucks. (plays in Winnipeg December 11th).
Mark Stuart – The 13 year NHL veteran (seven with the Thrashers/Jets) was about to enter the final year of a four-year deal he signed with the Winnipeg Jets in 2014 but the team announced on Friday that they had placed him on unconditional waivers for purposes of a buyout. He cleared waivers today. As of this writing he has not caught on with another team.
AHL:
Anthony Peluso – The Jets claimed him off waivers from the Blues organization and then signed the bruising Peluso in July of 2013 to a two-year deal. They gave him a further two-yeal deal in 2015. He was assigned to the Manitoba Moose to kick off the 2016-17 season where he played 22 games in the AHL before a shoulder injury ended his 2016-17 season in January. He was signed by the Washington Capitals to a one-year, two-way contract ($650,000/$250,000).
Brenden Kichton – He was originally drafted in 2011 by the New York Islanders before going back into the draft and being selected by the Jets in the 7th round of 2013. He played four seasons for the Jets in the minors with the IceCaps (2) and Moose (2). He was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to a one-year, two-way contract ($700,000/$235,000).
Brian Strait – One year ago today the Jets signed the left shot defenceman to a one-year, one-way contract ($600,000.00) who had spent the previous season with the New York Islanders. While it was thought that he was going to help the parent club he spent the bulk of 2016-17 with the Moose (58 games) before injuries with the Jets prompted a recall to Winnipeg. He was signed by the New Jersey Devils to a one-year, two-way contract ($650,000 at the NHL level).
