On the Winnipeg Jets …
Sara Orlesky: Forward Patrik Laine was asked about signing a contract extension, and he said he’d like to stay in Winnipeg as long as they want him.
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Pending restricted free agent defenseman wants to remain with the Jets long-term, and he would rather get a deal done sooner than later.
“Been down that road once. Quicker the better,” Trouba said on Tuesday after completing his exit meeting. “I haven’t put a whole ton of thought into it, yet. I’m sure in the next week or two or couple of days I’ll meet with my agent and we’ll go over stuff. We’ll see where it goes from there. Talk to (Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff), and I’m sure something will be worked out.”
Trouba finished the season averaging just under 22 minutes a game while paired with pending RFA Josh Morrissey.
The Jets have five pending UFAs including Michael Hutchinson, Toby Enstrom, Matt Hendricks, Shawn Matthias and Paul Stastny.
The Jets have five pending RFAs including Connor Hellebuyck, Adam Lowry, Joel Armia, Brandon Tanev, Marko Dano, Nic Petan, Tucker Poolman, Joe Morrow, Trouba, and Morrissey.
Goaltender Helebuyck is also hoping to sign long-term.
“I love the city. I love playing here. I love the fan base. Nothing could make more more happy than signing long-term,” said Hellebuyck. “But that’s the business side of hockey that is so unpredictable.”
Forward Blake Wheeler has a year left on his contract but said he hadn’t given much that about an extension just yet.
Jason Bell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Paul Stastny said it’s “always a possibility” of re-signing with the Jets.
Stastny’s four-year, $7 million per year deal expires, and he’ll be taking a pay cut, but he should still get more than $5 million per season.
“Every door is open. I never look that far down the road because in the past I’ve done that, you think something is going to happen (and) it doesn’t,” Stastny said.
“We all know there are a lot of players who need to be signed here. There’s not just one person. When you have success like this, a lot of guys need to get rewarded. And you’ve got to take care of those young guys first. Those guys really earned it. We’ll talk with Chevy down the road.”