Jets sign Cole Perfetti to five-year deal

The Winnipeg Jets have successfully negotiated a five-year, $30 million contract with center Cole Perfetti, as reported by ESPN NHL. This agreement allows Perfetti to avoid salary arbitration, with his new deal carrying a $6 million salary cap hit.

The 24-year-old Perfetti was previously under a two-year bridge contract with an average annual value of $3.25 million. Drafted 10th overall in 2020 by the Jets, Perfetti has played his entire five-year NHL career with the team.

Last season, he recorded 12 goals and 20 assists for a total of 32 points across 68 games, finishing with a minus-9 rating. Over his career, he has accumulated 59 goals and 98 assists, totaling 157 points in 290 games.

The Jets missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2022, and the offseason has been marked by trade rumors surrounding goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner. The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly one of the teams expressing interest in the 33-year-old netminder.