Winnipeg Jets: Neal Pionk Signs to Stay in Winnipeg for Considerable Future
The Winnipeg Jets had an arbitration hearing scheduled with Neal Pionk that was due to take place in the coming weeks, but that hearing is no longer needed as the two parties have reached an agreement.
Earlier today, Pionk put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him in Winnipeg for the next four seasons.
According to the Winnipeg Jets official website, Pionk’s new contract carries an average annual value of $5,875,000.
Neal Pionk will look to build on a couple of outstanding seasons with the Winnipeg Jets
Pionk arrived in Winnipeg as part of the deal that sent Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers in the summer of 2019. Looking back, that trade can be seen as a win for the Jets considering Pionk’s fantastic play.
Over the last two seasons, the twenty-six-year-old has appeared in 125 regular season games and has amassed nine goals, 68 assists, and a plus-16 plus/minus.
Last season, Pionk was among the top-twenty defensemen in the NHL in points with 32 (three goals, 29 assists).
Pionk averaged the second-most ice time per game among Jets players during the 2021 season and can be considered the Jets’ best offensive defenseman. The Omaha, Nebraska native was the quarterback of the Jets’ top powerplay unit during the last season and he has a knack for finding the open man.
The last remaining big-name RFA left for the Jets front office to sign is Andrew Copp. Copp is scheduled for an arbitration hearing, but as we all know, the Jets and Copp may never get to that meeting. It will be interesting to see how the Jets handle Copp’s situation considering their dwindling cap space and their need to add some more forwards.
Stay tuned to our site throughout the offseason for all your need-to-know Winnipeg Jets news and insights.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Are you happy with the terms of Neal Pionk’s new deal? Leave your comments below!
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*All Stats Provided by the NHL*