When the clock stuck zero on Saturday in Cincinnati the Michigan Wolverines season officially came to a close following a 5-2 loss to the UND Fighting Hawks. Seconds later Jets fans everywhere began to speculate as to what would happen to 2015 1st round pick Kyle Connor.
Just to recap he had an unbelievable freshman season at Michigan ending with a 27 game points streak, totaling 71 points (35 goals and 36 assists) in 38 games. His 71 points tied Jack Eichel for second most points ever for a freshman in NCAA history although both were well behind the 100 points (25 goals and 75 assists) Paul Kariya achieved at the University of Maine.
He is a front runner for the Hobey Baker award and received five post-season Big Ten Conference distinctions.
Now the question on many Jets fans minds is what will happen with Kyle Connor? Will he be a one (year) and done like Jacob Trouba (2012-13), Jack Eichel (2014-15) and Dylan Larkin (2014-15)?
One option for Kyle Connor is he can return to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. This isn’t outside the realm of possibility as it would give him the opportunity to continue to fill out his 6’1 frame and put on more weight before he comes to the pro game. However will it advance his development or will it be stagnated? Another important factor for the Jets prospect may be what is the status of Wolverines head coach Red Berrenson who may retire and how might that impact his decision?
Another possibility, and one I suspect many fans would like to see happen, he can sign an entry level contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Two past examples of former Wolverines signing with the Jets are Jacob Trouba who signed on April 2nd, 2013 but didn’t play his first game until the start of the 2013-14 season whereas Andrew Copp signed March 26th, 2015 and played in the final game of the regular season.
Some fans are wondering if Kyle Connor might see some action in the Jets remaining seven games of the season. Bob McKenzie of TSN put out this series of tweets concerning that possibility:
If Connor signs now with WPG and plays one game this season, he burns first year of entry level contract.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 27, 2016
If there’s an expansion draft in June, 2017, I’m told Connor, if he signs now and plays this season and next, won’t need to be protected.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 27, 2016
But it’s also possible an expansion draft could happen in June, 2018. In that case, Connor would have to be protected if he plays games now.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 27, 2016
So, if you’re WPG, do you sign Connor now and maybe have to use protected spot in 2018 IF there’s expansion draft. Or do you play it safe?
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 27, 2016
My guess, and it’s only that, is WPG more likely to sign Connor in the summer than now. We’ll see soon enough, though.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 27, 2016
Plenty of questions remain for the organization as they try to decide which is the best way to move forward with this prospect. Meanwhile fans will continue to debate the merits of all of the above and #ConnorWatch will continue.
