The Winnipeg Jets announced yesterday afternoon that they extended Mikhail Berdin’s contract. This move can be considered a win for the Jets.
In his professional career path Mikhail Berdin has shown that he has what it takes to succeed as a goaltender. The Winnipeg Jets rewarded Berdin yesterday afternoon with an extension to his contract.
The contract is a two-way deal in 2021-2022 and becomes a one-way deal in 2022-2023 and carries an average annual value of $750,000 at the NHL level. As of right now, this contract indicates that Berdin is the goalie of the future for the Jets.
When the upcoming season ends both goalies who will most likely be the backups to Connor Hellebuyck, contracts expire. Laurent Brossoit will become an unrestricted free agent and Eric Comrie will be a restricted free agent.
It is highly unlikely that the Jets will offer Brossoit a new deal unless he performs extremely well in 2021. This will then allow Berdin to get one more year of development with the Manitoba Moose and then he can make the jump to the Jets for the 2021-2022 season.
Berdin performed extremely well with the Moose last season and was off to a great start on loan this season in the KHL (Russia). The twenty-two-year-old has shown glimpses that he has what it takes to be a good goalie and in his young years, he has great potential.
With Berdin’s AAV at the league minimum, this is the perfect low-risk high reward contract. If he makes the jump to the Jets in the coming years and performs well, this contract is a steal for the Jets. If he cannot prove himself in the NHL, there is not much harm done and will not dent Winnipeg’s salary cap situation.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your thoughts on the contract extension for Mikhail Berdin? Leave your comments below!