The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have re-signed forward Kyle Connor to a seven-year, $50 million contract ($7.143 million AAV). The contract carries him through the 2025-26 season.
Kyle Connor deal once finalized – which it isn’t yet – will be for between $7 M and $7.25 M aav x seven years. Paperwork still being worked on.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 29, 2019
7 year. 50M. For Connor. So, $7.14 mil and change.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 29, 2019
Winnipeg Jets Re-sign Kyle Connor
In 82 games for the Jets last season, Connor scored 34 goals and added 32 assists for 66 points. His possession numbers for 54.9 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +9.2. He also put up three goals and two assists in six playoff games.
Over his career, Connor has scored 67 goals and added 61 assists for 128 points in 178 games. Connor was originally drafted by the Jets in the first round, 17th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
The Jets locked up a big part of their offence by getting Connor under contract. Connor set new career highs in goals, assists and points and hit the 30 goal plateau for the second straight season. Connor plays on the Jets top line alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. The three have become one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL.
Connor is dangerous in a multitude of ways. He is an outstanding skater with great speed and acceleration. He also possesses a lethal shot and is an excellent playmaker. Connor has a soft set of hands as well. Connor can beat you off the rush and use his stickhandling ability to deke out defenders and leave them in the dust. If he doesn’t find an opening for himself, he has the hockey sense and passing abilities to find his open teammates to create scoring chances.
Connor has developed a strong two-way game as well. He has good positioning and provides support for his defence. He anticipates plays well and has an active stick which he uses to cut down passing lanes. These abilities earned the trust of the Jets coaching staff as they started to use him on the penalty kill.
The Jets were upset in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season by the St. Louis Blues. However, this is a strong and resilient group. Now that Connor is locked up, the Jets have most of their young core signed for the foreseeable future. The Jets will be looking to bounce back next season and show that they are still a top contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Main Photo:
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets skates past Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
