Jets Settle With Two RFAs Before Arbitration Dates

The Winnipeg Jets have settled with forwards Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi on contracts ahead of both players’ salary arbitration hearing dates. Vilardi, who was recently acquired by the Jets via trade, elected to declare salary arbitration when given the change. Barron, who has played for the Jets for a couple of seasons now, also elected to declare salary arbitration given the chance.

Vilardi Signs Two-Year Contract

My original contract projection was either a four-year, $4 million annual deal similar to Gabriel Vilardi’s teammate Alex Iafallo or a two-to-three-year bridge deal worth $3.5 million annually.

While I was close, Vilardi’s new contract is a two-year deal worth $3,437,500 until the end of the 2024-25 season. Vilardi will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when his new contract expires. Vilardi isn’t eligible for unrestricted free agency until the 2027 offseason, meaning the Jets have Vilardi under club control for four years.

While the Jets and Vilardi avoid arbitration, Gabriel Vilardi’s salary arbitration hearing was set for Friday, July 28th.

Barron Signs Two-Year Contract

My original contract projection was a contract similar to Morgan Barron’s teammate Dylan Samberg who recently signed a two-year contract worth $1.4 million annually.

I was almost right on the money with this one, literally and figuratively. Morgan Barron signed a two-year deal worth $1.35 million annually with the Winnipeg Jets. Barron will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when his new contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season. Barron is not eligible for unrestricted free agency until the 2026 offseason, meaning Barron is under club control for three years.

While the Jets and Barron avoid arbitration, Morgan Barron’s salary arbitration hearing was set for Wednesday, August 2nd.