The Winnipeg Jets had their first arbitration hearing, and it was the biggest one. Better start strong, I guess.
The Winnipeg Jets offered Jacob Trouba $4MM. Trouba asked for $7MM, which was never going to happen. Even if he reached UFA status, I don’t know that he would get that.
Either way, the arbitrator awarded Trouba with a contract of $5.5MM. That splits the difference between the gap the two sides had, and it feels like a win for Trouba.
Yes, he’s very good. But he came off of a two year, $6MM deal and played in just 55 games. The injury woes continue. Either way, I hope this doesn’t harm relations with Winnipeg in the future, and I doubt it will.
Trouba is a great defenseman but he doesn’t have much of a shot and his spotty injury history is a concern. That’s undoubtedly the reasoning behind the team not doling out an extension.
Connor Hellebuyck got locked up. They signed Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev to deals. Marko Dano is the only one awaiting arbitration. Honestly, if the Jets don’t like the deal he’s awarded, they might walk away and make him a UFA. I don’t think he’ll be awarded much, however.
Poor Marko Dano, how far you’ve fallen. Regardless, the Jets are not going to reject Trouba’s deal. They’re going to give him every opportunity to prove he’s worthy of an extension. And if he’s not, they’ll probably sign him anyway and hope for the best.
But he’s not getting a huge deal because he couldn’t stay healthy either year of his bridge deal. It’s a shame, really. I like Trouba. It would be nice to see him get paid. He’s got another shot, here.
I’m not 100% on this, but I believe he’ll be an RFA again at the end of the season. So, there you have it. If I’m wrong and you know it, please inform me.
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I’m excited everyone’s locked up (save for Dano), but I’d like to see Trouba stay healthy. It’s noted his arbitration hearing went for six hours, which is obscene. Could’ve just handed me a $20 to tell the team and player to split the difference, but whatever.