Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: Winnipeg Jets

Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot signs with the Canadiens

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

Ben Chiarot was one of the few players remaining in the Jets organization (along with Bryan Little and Peter Stoykewych) who was originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers (2009, 4th round, 120th overall). This past season was the most productive one of the left shot defenceman’s NHL career as Chiarot hit career highs in games played (78), goals (5), assists (15) and points (20). The 28-year-old had a cap hit of $1,400,000 in 2018-19.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said on Monday afternoon that they had made “offers” to the D man but clearly it didn’t go farther than that. While there was some thought he could still be signed we learned earlier today from Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet that the Jets would not be signing the D man for next season.

Shortly after Sean’s tweet the news broke that Chiarot signed with the Montreal Canadiens for three years, $10.5 million.

And for those concerned about what this means for the Jets blue line next season:

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.