For the past two summers in Manitoba it was expected to be the ‘summer of change in Winnipeg’. Despite those expectations, especially in the summer of 2022, it was more of an augmentation/tweak sort of thing. However, with all the players with one-year remaining on their deals for the 2023-24 season it is now finally expected to become a summer of resolution in the ‘Peg.
Of course this post is about the UFAs/RFAs that are in the Jets and Moose system. According to CapFriendly the Jets have 16 players under contact for the 2023-24 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 2022-23 cap hit.
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs):
Vladislav Namestnikov ($2,500,000.00)
Sam Gagner ($750,000.00)
Karson Kuhlman ($825,000.00)
Saku Maenalanen ($750,000.00)
Axel Jonsson-Fjällby ($750,000.00) (Group 6)*
David Rittich ($900,000.00)
*He fell one game shy of the Jets being able to retain him as an RFA. He can still be signed by the club if there is mutual desire.
Restricted free agents (RFAs):
Pierre-Luc Dubois ($6,000,000) (arbitration eligible)
Morgan Barron ($925,000) (arbitration eligible)
Kevin Stenlund ($750,000) (arbitration eligible)
Dylan Samberg ($925,000) (arbitration eligible)
Logan Stanley ($900,00.00) (arbitration eligible)
There are also a number of players on the Moose (some of whom could be with the Jets next season) who will also be in need of new deals including:
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs):
Ashton Sautner – ($750,000.00)
Mikhil Berdin – ($750,000.00) (Group 6)*
Evan Cormier – ($750,000.00) (Group 6)
Restricted free agents (RFAs):
Alex Limoges ($780,000) (arbitration eligible)
Declan Chisholm ($815,000.00)
Leon Gawanke – ($750,000.00) (arbitration eligible)**
Arvid Holm – (845,833) (arbitration eligible)
*Back in October it was announced that the Jets 2016 6th rounder would be returning to Russia for the year with the Jets retaining his rights. However he is now eligible to sign with anyone on July 1st as he has met the criteria to become a group 6 free agent.
**The Jets 2017 5th rounder set the record for most goals by a defenceman in Moose history but shortly after the AHL season concluded he signed a four-year deal to play in Germany. Winnipeg can qualify him (similar to what they did with Kristian Vesalainen last year) but he will become a Group 6 free agent next summer so it makes it somewhat of a moot point. Essentially means the Jets would have this year to try to recoup something for him.
