There aren’t as many UFAs on the blueline (1) as the Winnipeg Jets have at forward, although there are also three players who will be RFAs. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will still have some decisions to make as to which guys he attempts to retain for the 2015/16 season.
1) Ben Chiarot (RFA):
He had only one game in the NHL prior to being called up this season when the Jets were decimated by injuries on the blueline. He was paired with big #33 for most of his time with the Jets and played the defensive defenceman role. He was felled by a broken hand suffered in a fight with Daniel Winnik (then of the Leafs) back on February 21st and didn’t play again until April 6th. Lots of buzz about his play all season long.
A look at his numbers from last season:
GP: 40 G: 2 A: 6 P: 8.
2014/15 contract: $600,000.00
2) Adam Pardy (UFA):
Last season he gave us the Helmet Pardy and this year the talk was of the Pardy Dangle. Coach Maurice seemed to like the play the Bonavista, NL native brought to his lineup, especially on the penalty kill. He doesn’t bring a ton of offensive upside, despite the dangle, as evidenced by the fact that prior to his highlight reel goal in the playoffs he hadn’t scored a goal in an NHL game since January 26th, 2011 when he was playing for the Flames.
A look at his numbers from last season:
GP: 55 G: 0 A: 9 P: 9.
2014/15 contract: $700,000.00
3) Paul Postma (RFA):
Postma was a regular in the Jets lineup from October until the beginning of January. He then sat for 27 straight games in the press box until finally getting back into the lineup March 14th against the Tampa Bay Lightning which coincidentally was his 100th NHL game. He played very well in a game that proved to be a pivotal win for Winnipeg however he suffered a season ending injury in the game.
A look at his numbers from last season:
GP: 42 G: 2 A: 4 P: 6.
2014/15 contract: $775,000.00
4) Keaton Ellerby (RFA):
He got into 51 games for the Jets 2013-14 season but he spent the majority of this year with the AHL team in St. John’s. He got into 41 games for the IceCaps and was injured for part of the season. He was finally recalled by Winnipeg on March 13th but only got into the final game of the season against the Flames.
A look at his numbers from last season:
GP: 1 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1.
2014/15 contract: $700,000.00
