Winnipeg Jets F Mark Scheifele Signs 8-Year Contract

Winnipeg Jets F Mark Scheifele Signs 8-Year Contract Worth $49 Million Dollars

Announced Friday, Winnipeg Jets F Mark Scheifele signed an eight-year deal worth $49 million dollars to stay with the club. The contract will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $6.125 million dollars.

Originally selected 7th overall from OHL’s Barrie Colts back in 2011, Mark is coming off a career-best season in 2015-16 in his third full year of pro. He led the Jets in goals with 29, and finished second in points with 61.

Mark Scheifele took hold of the no.1 center spot after losing Bryan Little to a season-ending injury in late February – around the same time of Scheifele’s snub from the initial World Cup of Hockey Team North America roster. He tallied 27 points over his final 21 regular season games. 

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Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba headlined the list of Jets RFAs heading into the offseason. Brandon Tanev, Joel Armia, Adam Lowry, and J.C. Lipon are the other remaining restricted free agents still looking for a new contract.

Following the Scheifele signing, Winnipeg has now committed $63,264,999 dollars towards the $73 million dollar salary cap for 2016-17.

Known as a budget team, we should expect the Jets to look at ways of trimming salary if the desire is to re-sign Jacob Trouba.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could however continue to listen to trade offers given their depth on the right side (Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba).

To make room for Trouba, the Winnipeg Jets could look at two specific players to trim necessary salary.

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One is 28-year-old goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who earns $3.9 million dollars for one more year. This route makes the most sense given the Jets depth between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck looks ready to be an NHL starter, and Hutchinson is now signed to an affordable backup contract. The trick will be finding someone willing to take on Pavelec’s deal.

Second option is 30-year-old winger Drew Stafford. He carries a $4.35 million dollar cap hit for one more year as well. The addition of Patrik Laine, combined with other emerging prospects such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, etc. has virtually made at least one top six forward expendable.

Mathieu Perreault could have been lumped into the same category labelled expendable, although the recent long-term extension suggests the team is committed to keeping him in the fold.

Next: Offseason Questions That Need Answers

While there is still work left to do this offseason. Jets fans should be feeling optimistic moving forward. The team underachieved in 2015-16, but numerous bright spots emerged. It was topped off with a bit of luck at the Draft Lottery snagging the 2nd overall pick to grab Finnish sniper Patrik Laine.

Look for the Winnipeg Jets to bounce back in 2016-17. Not only could this team make the playoffs next year, they might even be able to win a round or two on the back of Connor Hellebuyck.