The Winnipeg Jets didn’t make any big trades on NHL trade deadline day, but they did do an important piece of business. The Jets have locked up defenceman Mark Stuart to a four-year deal worth $10.5 million ($2.625 million AAV). Stuart was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
The 29-year-old Stuart has two goals and seven assists for nine points in 50 games with the Jets so far this season, and is also a plus nine. The tough-nosed stay-at-home defender also has 81 penalty minutes. He leads the Jets with 163 hits and 118 blocked shots. In 195 games with the Jets, Stuart has eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points, and 256 penalty minutes.
Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft (21st overall), Stuart has played for the Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers and Jets in his NHL Career. In 478 career NHL games he has scored 21 goals and 47 assists for 68 points, with 540 career penalty minutes.
The Jets also announced on Wednesday that centre Mark Scheifele suffered an MCL injury in their recent overtime loss to the New York Islanders. Scheifele will not require surgery, but will be out 6-8 weeks with the injury.
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