Winnipeg Jets sign Cole Perfetti to a two-year contract

The last of the Jets RFAs to put pen to paper is 2020 1st rounder Cole Perfetti as Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting he has inked a new deal with the club that drafted him 10th overall.

It seemed like the biggest question for Winnipeg this offseason would be what type of deal would he sign. Would it be a bridge or a long-term one? We now have our answer as Darren Dreger of TSN indicated it will be a two-year deal with a 3.25 AAV.

Perfetti had a solid 2023-24 campaign playing the most games he’s played as a pro (71) while also scoring more than ever (19 goals) although he wasn’t quite as prolific when it came to assists putting up 19 (as opposed to the 22 he had the year before in 51 games). He had a strong start to the season but struggled later in the year which included a long scoring drought.

It was a rather unusual negotiation between the two sides as Perfetti actually joined the team in Winnipeg despite the fact he was unsigned and represented the Jets in Vegas at the NHL Media Tour. It was labelled as the ‘nicest contract dispute ever’.

The team has now confirmed the new contract.

One thing is certain is that Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff did not blink first. It’s up to Cole Perfetti to make Winnipeg rue not signing him to a long-term deal with what he does the next two seasons.

Now that it is done the Ontario product can focus on the opportunity ahead of him as he looks to make his mark in the NHL.