NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets - Source: Imagn — NHL insider talked about Cole Perfetti's and Jets situation before two year deal (Credit: IMAGN)

NHL Rumors: Insider claims Jets weren't looking to tie up Cole Perfetti on long-term contract

Modified Sep 25, 2024 17:24 GMT

On Monday, the Winnipeg Jets signed forward Cole Perfetti to a two-year, $6.5 million contract. The contract carries an annual cap hit of $3,250,000 and will end after the 2025–26 season.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, the Jets never planned a long-term deal for Perfetti.

"To my knowledge, the Jets never came to him with a long-term offer. It was always hovering around two (years), I believe,” Pagnotta said.

“I think you wanna see how he does with more responsibility, you wanna see how he performs with more ice time, more accountability in terms of being able to produce and being counted on to produce. So I think it makes sense, because we really don't know where he's at."

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Perfetti, 22, set career highs last season with 38 points and 19 goals in 71 games played. Since being drafted 10th overall in 2020, he has scored 29 goals and recorded 75 points in 140 games.

Cole Perfetti is excited to be back with the Winnipeg Jets. He attended training camp and said he wanted to be part of the team from Day 1.

“It’s nice to get that done," Perfetti said Tuesday, per NHL.com. "It’s nice to be back in camp and with the guys. ... Now it’s just time to focus on hockey, so it’s a great feeling."

Perfetti talked about finding a number that worked for both him and the Jets.

"I think obviously it’s the business and my first time through it all, so I was kind of learning as we went along. I think just trying to find a number that’s going to work for both sides, that both sides are happy, I think we found that,” Perfetti added.

HC Scott Arniel's plans for Cole Perfetti this season

Scott Arniel plans to change the lines and use different players. Cole Perfetti will likely play left wing on one of the top two lines. This role will let him focus on scoring.

“I think he recognizes now how he needs to play," Arniel said, per The Athletic. "He knows now that he’s facing the other teams’ top defencemen and their top forwards. Whether it’s with the puck or without it, he has to do things in a quick level, at a high level, and he has the hockey smarts to do that."

As the NHL season starts, Perfetti will have the chance to show his skills. The expectations are clear, and Perfetti is ready to take on the challenge.