Jets’ standout forward, Kyle Connor, has agreed to a significant contract extension with Winnipeg, securing his future with the team for the next eight years. The deal, worth $96 million in total (equating to an average annual value of $12 million in US currency), was officially announced by the organization on Wednesday.
This new agreement is set to take effect in the upcoming season following the expiration of his current contract. The $96 million deal stands as the largest in the Jets’ history, surpassing the previous record set by Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck with identical seven-year contracts valued at $8.5 million annually, which were signed almost two years ago and became active last season.
Selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, the 28-year-old Connor has established himself as one of the league’s premier scorers. Notably, he led the Jets last season with 97 points, a culmination of 41 goals and 56 assists, and achieved a solid plus-17 defensive rating, placing him seventh overall in the league rankings.
During the previous season, Connor also played a pivotal role in the postseason, featuring in all 13 games for the Jets. His contributions were instrumental as he led the team in points (17) and assists (12), while also sharing the team’s high of five goals. His exceptional performance throughout the season earned him a well-deserved spot on the NHL first all-star team.
Since making his NHL debut in the 2017-18 season, Connor has consistently delivered impressive results, reaching the 30-goal mark in seven seasons and crossing the 60-point threshold on six occasions. With 582 points (284 goals and 298 assists) in 613 career NHL games, his impact on the ice has been substantial. Furthermore, in 2022, he was honored with the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for his exceptional sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high-level playing ability.
The extension solidifies Connor’s commitment to the Jets and signifies the team’s confidence in his continued success on and off the ice.
