The Winnipeg Jets have announced this afternoon that they have extended top prospect and goaltender Mikhail Berdin’s contract.
Many people thought the only news the Winnipeg Jets were going to make before the 2021 season starts up is that they re-signed restricted free agent forward, Jack Roslovic. Today the Jets made big news when they announced a contract extension to one of their top prospects.
That top prospect is goaltender Mikhail Berdin. The twenty-two-year-old goalie was originally drafted by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Berdin’s contract extension is over two years and carries an average annual value in the NHL of $750,000. The contract will be two-way in 2021-2021 and one-way in 2022-2023.
#NHLJets have agreed to terms with goaltender Mikhail Berdin on a two-year contract extension with an AAV in the NHL of $750,000.
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 17, 2020
The extension includes the 2021-22 season, which is a two-way deal, while the 2022-23 season is a one-way deal.
DETAILS ➡ https://t.co/hNDUqmRv7b pic.twitter.com/KnYdPuGWpa
This contract may be setting up Berdin to be the starter or backup for the 2022 season. Berdin is a highly touted prospect, who has impressed many in the early stages of his professional career.
In 2018-2019, the young Russian split his first professional season between the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and the Jacksonville IceMen of the ECHL. Between the clubs, he appeared in 51 games and it is interesting to note that his stats were better in the AHL than the ECHL.
Last year Berdin played a full season with the Moose. He posted a 20-21-1 record and had a 2.89 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
The Jets decided to loan Berdin to Russia, this offseason, to get some game time before the start of the 2021 professional season and he has performed well overseas. In 14 games he has a 2.51 GAA, a 9.12 SV%, and a 6-3-2 record.
It is anticipated that he will be recalled very soon from his loan with SKA St. Petersburg that way he can participate in training camp.
Mikhail Berdin may be the goalie of the future for the Winnipeg Jets and it is great news that the Jets have tied him down for the foreseeable future.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Are you happy with the extension the Jets gave to Mikhail Berdin? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by Elite Prospects*