Do the Jets have a money problem?

A slew of new contracts could nuke the team’s internal budget

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Do the Jets have a money problem?
Keystone Press

The Winnipeg Jets are not, and may never be, a cap team. The team’s self-imposed budget is well under the NHL’s salary cap and that could pose a problem moving forward.

Within the next 12 months the team will need to re-sign core players like Patrik Laine, Jacob Trouba, Nikolaj Ehlers and Josh Morrisey. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck needs a new contract ASAP. These deals could sky rocket the team’s player salaries and tip their balance sheet in the wrong direction. 

So, what’s a money conscious team to do? Ship out young players at the peak of their trade value and let others deal with the financial consequences? Maybe, but it’s likely that the Jets will look to move one or more of their high priced veteran players instead. While there’s no denying his value to the team currently, Dustin Byfuglien and his $7.6 million cap hit until 2020-21 could become an anchor in short order. Luckily, the Jets only have one more season of Toby Enstrom at $5.75 million left on the books. And what about 29 year-olds Bryan Little and Mathieu Perrault? They’re both quality players but at $4.7 million and $4.125 million respectively, the Jets may test the market to determine their trade value.

Whatever the Jets decide to do, the next 12-24 months will undoubtedly be the most trying in general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s career. At least when it comes to contract negotiations. 

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