Winnipeg Jets 2021 Offseason So Far with Signings, Departures & Trades
The Winnipeg Jets had a hectic 2021 offseason as they look to become Stanley Cup contenders. Here is a recap of all that transpired this offseason with the Jets.
Training camp is only a short couple of weeks away and the Winnipeg Jets will be kicking off the 2021-2022 regular season next month.
As we start to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season, it is time to look back at what has happened so far during this offseason like no other, that featured an.
This slideshow will look at which players from last year left the Jets and who the Jets signed, resigned, and traded for this offseason.
3. Departures
Little did Winnipeg supporters know that there would be eight players from their second-round playoff roster that ultimately got swept by the Montreal Canadiens, that would not be back in Jets uniforms to start the upcoming season.
The first player that the Jets lost this offseason was forward, Mason Appleton. Appleton was the Jets player that was selected by the Seattle Kraken in their expansion draft.
Shortly after Appleton’s departure, the free agency period started and the Jets had seven unrestricted free agents (“UFAs”).
On the first day of free agency, four players departed the franchise to sign with other teams. Those players with their new clubs, years signed, and average annual value (“AAV”) are listed below:
Tucker Poolman: Vancouver Canucks, 4 years, $2,500,000
Laurent Brossoit: Vegas Golden Knights, 2 years, $2,325,000
Derek Forbort: Boston Bruins, 3 years, $3,000,000
Nate Thompson: Philadelphia Flyers, 1 year, $800,000
After those four players signed elsewhere, subsequently Mathieu Perreault and Trevor Lewis both put pen to paper on one-year deals. Perreault signed with the Montreal Canadiens for an AAV of $950,000 and Lewis signed for the Calgary Flames and his contract will carry an AAV of $800,000.
The last player to sign elsewhere was, 2021 trade deadline acquisition, Jordie Benn as he signed a one-year contract with an AAV of $900,000 with the Minnesota Wild.
In total four forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender departed the Jets this offseason.
2. Trades
The Jets went into this offseason looking to bolster their defensive corps as this was one of their weak points during the 2021 season. There was no telling how the Jets were going to accomplish this, many people thought the Jets would look to free agency, but instead, Winnipeg’s front office decided to make some big trades.
In the days leading up to free agency, the Jets decided to make a trade with the Washington Capitals. The Jets sent two draft picks to Washington in exchange for defenseman, Brenden Dillon.
Then just a day later, the Jets made their second trade in as many days to acquire another defenseman. They received Nate Schmidt from the Vancouver Canucks for a draft pick.
With these trades, the Jets are getting two proven veteran defensemen who both bring different styles of play to the franchise. Dillon is more of your no-nonsense, shutdown defenseman, while Schmidt is more of an offensive defenseman with terrific vision and skating abilities.
As of right now, these two trades are viewed as great work from the Winnipeg Jets. They were able to get exactly what they needed at the start of the offseason and acquire two veteran defensemen who both can be major assets to the Jets in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
1. Signings
Most of the Jets’ free agent activity this offseason was in regards to them signing players from their 2021 roster that were either UFAs or restricted free agents (“RFA’s), although they did bring some new faces into the organization.
RFAs
The Jets were able to get deals done with all four of their players from their roster that were RFAs. Within a week’s span, they resigned forward Andrew Copp and also resigned defensemen Logan Stanley, Neal Pionk, and Johnathan Kovacevic.
Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets front office deserves an immense amount of credit for getting these four deals done and they are all listed below (with years and AAV):
Andrew Copp: 1 year x $3,640,000
Logan Stanley: 2 years x $900,000
Neal Pionk: 4 years x $5,875,000
Johnathan Kovacevic: 1 year x $750,000
UFAs
Since the Jets had a lot of work to do in resigning their RFAs, they had a tight budget to work with regards to singing UFAs.
Winnipeg also was able to bring back pending UFAs Dominic Toninanto, Paul Stastny, and Eric Comrie to the club as they resigned them to new contracts through next season.
The Jets’ arguably biggest UFA signing this offseason was Riley Nash as the veteran forward signed a one-year deal with Winnipeg.
Also, Winnipeg made a number of depth forward signings and brought four new forwards including Evgeny Svechnikov, Austin Poganski, Mikey Eyssimont, and Luke Johnson to the franchise.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Are you happy with all of the Winnipeg Jets offseason moves? Leave your comments below!
light. Must Read. What Nate Schmidt will Bring to the Table for the Winnipeg Jets
*All Stats Provided by Elite Prospects and Contract Information Provided by Cap Friendly*