The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed free agent forward Mason Appleton to a two-year contract worth $1.8 million, or $900,00 per season. This contract carries him through the 2021-22 season and was announced late on Friday.
#NHLJets have agreed to terms with forward Mason Appleton on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $900,000.
DETAILS ➡ https://t.co/Ek4cgFmmwE
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 10, 2020
Mason Appleton Stays with Winnipeg
Over his two-year NHL career, Appleton has only played for the Jets. He has put up eight goals and 10 assists for 18 career points in 82 career games. Winnipeg took the Green Bay, Wisc. native in the sixth round, 168th overall of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Last season he scored five goals and three assists for eight points in 46 games. He also added 20 penalty minutes for the recently concluded season. His possession numbers were 49.6 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 0.3. He played in one game in the qualifying round against the Calgary Flames, but did not get a point.
Appleton played his college hockey with Michigan State of the NCAA and played two seasons there before signing his entry-level deal. He was the AHL rookie of the year in 2017-18 with the Manitoba Moose. Appleton totaled 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points in that campaign. He also earned a spot on the AHL’s First-Team that season.
What This Means for the Future
The 24-year-old centre/right wing has plenty of untapped potential and lots of playmaking ability. His stint in the AHL proved that he can score goals, but that hasn’t translated to the NHL just yet.
He still needs work on his play without the puck, but has plenty of upside. Appleton has a solid right-handed shot and is a bigger player at 6-foot, 2-inches tall. However, he does need to add a bit more size to his frame.
Like many players, Appleton is signing a short-term deal in order to reap a long-term benefit some time down the way when the salary cap is now longer flat at $81.5 million.
