The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed free-agent forward Nate Thompson to a one-year year deal worth $750,000. During last season Thompson split time between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers.
Wpg signs Nate Thompson, one year $750,000.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 10, 2020
Winnipeg Jets Sign Nate Thompson
Thompson played 70 games last season split between Montreal and Philadelphia. In those games, Thompson score four goals and added 11 assists for 15 points. Thompson was traded to Philadelphia prior to last season’s trade deadline in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2021.
Thompson has spent time with eight different teams over his NHL career, appearing in 767 games. In those games, Thompson has accumulated 62 goals and 94 assists for 156 points.
Thompson was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round, 183rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
The 36-year-old Thompson will return for a 14th season. He will bring a veteran presence and some depth to the bottom six for the club. Thompson is a very effective penalty killer and outstanding in the faceoff circle. He won 55 percent of the faceoffs he took last season and is 52.9 percent over his career. He is trusted by his coaches to take defensive zone faceoffs and is often leaned upon in important situations to shut down opponents in the dying moments of the game. Thompson is a character player who is valued in the dressing room. The leadership qualities he brings on and off the ice are invaluable.
Adding a veteran like Thompson may look like a minor move on paper but it is something that is extremely valuable, especially come playoff time. While he doesn’t provide a ton of offensive, he can pot a timely goal for his team. At this stage in his career, Thompson is someone who can provide somewhere between 10 to 14 minutes per game or come in and out of the lineup as needed depending on the situation.
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