The Winnipeg Jets continued their string of savvy deals by inking RFA Dylan Samberg to a three-year deal worth $17.25 million.
The deal comes on the heels of the Jets re-upping Gabriel Vilardi. Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract this summer.
By signing both Vilardi and Samberg, the Jets avoided the displeasure of going through an arbitration hearing. But beyond sidestepping the issues that come with arbitration hearings, the Jets ensured a solid shutdown defenseman in their blue line for the next three seasons.
That’s a crucial move as the Jets are full smack into their competitive window. Despite the loss of Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets should remain as one of the Western Conference’s top teams. So, keeping Samberg in the fold helps maintain the Jets’ place atop the Central Division.
It’s worth pointing out that Daily Faceoff reported that Samberg and the Jets were significantly apart in their contract negotiations. Daily Faceoff stated that the two sides were about $3.5 million apart, hence necessitating an arbitration hearing.
Nevertheless, the parties met halfway. Samberg came down from his $6 million asking price, while the Jets upped their offer from $2.5 million.
All told, re-signing Samberg is one of the savviest moves the Winnipeg Jets could have made this offseason. They keep a still young blue liner in the fold, while ensuring their defensive game does not regress next season.
Jets still have question marks on defense despite Samberg signing
The Winnipeg Jets defensive core has some question marks despite the smart Dylan Samberg signing. The top pair of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo is as good as it gets. Both defenseman have shown offensive talent, with DeMelo being one of the better defensive defensemen in the league.
The middle pair consisting of Samberg and Neal Pionk looks like one of the better shutdown pairs in the NHL. If both players remain healthy, they should make it tough for opposing offenses to get anything going.
But it’s the bottom pair that has some question marks to consider. Daily Faceoff projects Haydn Fleury and Luke Schenn as the fifth and sixth blue liners for the Jets.
To begin with, Fleury and Schenn offer virtually no offense whatsoever. That’s fine as third-pairing defensemen aren’t typically asked to chip in offensively. Still, the need for depth scoring from the blue line is crucial for contending teams.
There’s also something else to consider. Neither Schenn nor Fleury are particularly mobile and able to move the puck. Schenn, now getting on in years, seems like he’s skating in molasses at times. As a result, he can get burned.
This situation, plus the possibility of injuries across the board, place pressure on the Jets to find suitable depth defensive help. Logan Stanley and Colin Miller are listed on the Jets’ depth chart. That may be fine to start the season. But fans shouldn’t be surprised to hear that the Jets will be looking for help on the blue line throughout the season.