Jets’ standout forward, Kyle Connor, has inked a significant long-term contract extension with the Winnipeg team. The organization announced on Wednesday that Connor has agreed to an eight-year deal worth $96 million, translating to an average annual value of $12 million in US currency. The new contract will come into effect next season, succeeding his current agreement.
This agreement marks the most substantial deal in the franchise’s history. Nearly two years ago, the Jets signed similar seven-year contracts with Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck, each with an average value of $8.5 million per year, and those contracts took effect last season.
Selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, 28-year-old Connor has evolved into one of the NHL’s top scorers. During the previous season, he delivered an impressive performance for the Jets, registering 41 goals, 56 assists, and a plus-17 defensive rating. His 97 points led the team and ranked him seventh in the league overall.
Additionally, Connor stood out in the postseason, playing all 13 games for the Jets, leading the team in points (17) and assists (12), with five goals equalling the team high. His exceptional performance earned him a place on the NHL first all-star team.
Since transitioning to a full-time NHL player in the 2017-18 season, Connor has consistently scored at least 30 goals in seven seasons and surpassed 60 points six times. Over his 613 career NHL games, he has amassed 582 points, comprising 284 goals and 298 assists. In 2022, Connor was honored with the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high playing ability.