Dreger Report | Despite ongoing contract negotiations, Cole Perfetti is now in Winnipeg to train and skate with teammates

There has been plenty of speculation as to when the Jets and RFA Cole Perfetti are going to come to terms on a new contract for the 2020 first rounder. There have even been whispers of offer sheets from other teams although it is also out there that the Jets would match.

Darren Dreger of TSN provided this insight this morning on the situation with Perfetti:

“Despite ongoing contract negotiations, Cole Perfetti is now in Winnipeg to train and skate with teammates. Perfetti also intends on representing the Winnipeg Jets at next weeks NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.”

I think it’s a smart move by Perfetti to come to Winnipeg despite his lack of contract. These types of negotiations can drag into training camp and they put the player behind their teammates in terms of being ready for the start of the regular session as they train at home by themselves. You could argue it lessens his leverage but I don’t see it.