Winnipeg Jets sign RFA Mark Scheifele to eight-year, $49 million deal

Fans have been wondering when the Jets would lock up their young centre and they can stop wondering as the team announced they have signed the Kitchener, Ontario native and first ever draft pick by the Winnipeg franchise in 2011 to an eight year deal.  The first inclining we had that a deal was close was courtesy of Gary Lawless of TSN and TSN 1290 Winnipeg who tweeted that “Things between #nhljets and Mark Scheifele getting real close on an extension. Real close #tsn”.  The terms came next via Gary when he tweeted “Sounds like #nhljets deal with Mark Scheifele will be 8 years with AAV of $6.125 and a total of $49 million”.

Scheifele is coming off his best season as a professional playing 71 games for the Jets with 29 goals and 32 assists.  In 227 NHL games for Winnipeg he has 58 goals and 87 assists for 145 points.

So there you have it.  The Jets 1st ever pick in 2011 has signed on the dotted line and will be the face of this franchise for years to come.  What do you think of the deal?

You can hear the conference call with Mark Scheifele here and then Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff here.