The Winnipeg Jets have announced two contract extensions over the past two days. Forward Alex Iafallo signed a three-year deal to stay in Winnipeg yesterday, while Neal Pionk signed a six-year deal today.
Iafallo’s contract carries an average annual value of $3.667 million per season, about $244.3 thousand lower than his current deal. Pionk’s contract is a raise as he was in the final year of his four-year deal worth $5.875 million per year.
Iafallo joined the NHL as a college free agent when he began his career with the Los Angeles Kings before making his way to Winnipeg in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade. He’s recorded 262 points (11G, 151A) in 583 career NHL games.
Pionk’s newly signed $7 million deal can be seen in two ways. The first being that right-shot, right side defensemen are hard to come and the second is that Pionk plays a highly physical style, which means his body won’t be able to keep up when the contract expires.
Like Iafallo, Pionk joined the NHL as a college free agent when he began his career with the New York Rangers before joining the Winnipeg Jets in the Jacob Trouba trade.
Both contracts help solidify the future of Winnipeg as they aim to be competitive beyond their successful 2024-25 season. Pionk and Iafallo have been versatile since being acquired and have excelled in the roles they’ve been playing under.
The Jets continue to chip away at key pieces for the off-season as they prepare for their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup against the St. Louis Blues.
ITR 45: Everything Is Happening – Inside The Rink
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