One of the biggest issues on Winnipeg Jets fans’ minds is the situation regarding impending UFA Kyle Connor. After Nikolaj Ehlers’ departure this season, fans are rightfully concerned that another top-six piece will jump ship.
But that may not be the case. In a recent interview published on RG Media, Jets chairman Mark Chipman delivered some encouraging news regarding the future of Connor in Winnipeg.
Chipman told James Murphy in the interview: “No, I think my sense, and I'm not involved in this directly, this is what Chevy's [Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] done so well for us and his group, so I don't envision ‘K.C.’ going anywhere. I think he's part of that group that I've been talking about. He's part of our core, and these guys are very, very close. I think it would be my expectation that we'll get something done sooner rather than later. My instincts are telling me that this is likely going to get done.”
The news is certainly optimistic, considering the Jets will be counting on the 28-year-old to remain a critical piece of their core. The former first-round pick from the 2015 NHL Draft scored a career-high 97 points last season.
His 41 goals led the way to a Presidents’ Trophy campaign for the Jets. That’s why keeping him in the fold will be a crucial move for the club moving forward.
Jets, Connor could be waiting for other stars to sign
A major theme this season influencing impending UFAs is the ongoing contract negotiations involving Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov. Both McDavid and Kaprizov have been the subject of speculation regarding their next deals. The consensus is that McDavid’s next contract will be a record-setting one.
While McDavid could set the ceiling for star contracts, Kaprizov could set the floor. As such, key impending free agents could be looking to McDavid and Kaprizov to provide them with a ballpark for their deals.
It’s tough to determine just how much the Jets could pay for without having a reference point from players like Kaprizov or McDavid.
So, it seems that Jets fans will have to wait a bit longer, despite the encouraging words from Mark Chipman, to hear that one of the best players in team history will remain in the fold for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, the only thing fans can do is sit and wait patiently for a deal to get done sooner rather than later.