Jets sign Morgan Barron to a multi-year deal

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they're re-signed restricted free agent Morgan Barron to a two year contract worth $1.35 million annually.

The 24 year old centerman put up a career high eight goals and 21 points in 70 games for the Jets last season and really looked to cement his place in the lineup under head coach Rick Bowness. He's probably best remembered though for his gutsy play in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights. Barron went face first into the Jets' goal crease and had his face sliced open by Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit. Barron was cut open for 75 stitches but returned to play while sporting a cage over his face. The kid is an absolute warrior.

Acquired by the Jets in the Andrew Copp trade in 2022 with the Rangers, Barron has emerged as a quality option on the Jets' 3rd and 4th lines and has proven at lower levels that he has the skill to move up in the lineup if given an opportunity. With the Jets seemingly moving away from the core veteran players, it'll be interesting to see what kind of role Barron plays over the course of this next contract. He could establish himself as a top six forward with some scoring touch, which would obviously bode very well for his next contract negotiations in 2025. In the meantime, however he's got the opportunity to grab a spot higher up in the lineup. Personally, I'm excited to see how he measures up to the challenge.

More from the Jets' official press release announcement:

WINNIPEG, July 17, 2023 - The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Morgan Barron on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,350,000.

Barron, 24, played 70 games for Winnipeg in 2022-23 and set single-season career highs in goals (8), assists (13), points (21), and penalty minutes (31). The Halifax, N.S. native also made his NHL postseason debut for the Jets and played all five games against the Vegas Golden Knights. Barron has played 102 career NHL games for the New York Rangers and Jets, recording 27 points (11G, 16A) and 41 PIMs.

Barron, the Rangers' sixth-round pick (174^th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft, was acquired in a trade on March 21/22 along with a conditional first-round pick (Brad Lambert) and a conditional second-round pick (Elias Salomonsson) in the 2022 NHL Draft, and a fifth-round pick (Thomas Milic) in the 2023 NHL Draft for forward Andrew Copp.