A massive new deal has shaken up the NHL world — and it’s all about Kyle Connor. The Winnipeg Jets have locked down their star forward with a jaw-dropping eight-year, $96 million contract, making headlines across the league. The new agreement, which kicks in next season, comes with an impressive average annual salary of $12 million. But here’s what has fans buzzing: was this a genius long-term move by Winnipeg, or a risky bet on a high-scoring winger approaching his 30s?
At 28 years old, Connor was in the final stretch of a seven-year deal worth just under $50 million, signed back in September 2019. That contract carried a $7.14 million annual value — meaning he’s getting nearly a $5 million raise per year. Had the Jets not locked him up now, Connor could have tested free agency at the end of the season, where his value might have skyrocketed even further given his recent performance.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Winnipeg opens its season at home against the Dallas Stars this Thursday night (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, Victory+), giving fans an immediate reason to celebrate — and speculate — about what this deal means for the team’s future.
Connor is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, finishing seventh in the entire NHL with 97 points and tying for seventh with 41 goals. During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he was a force, leading the Jets with 17 points in just 13 games (five goals and 12 assists). That kind of consistency has made him one of the most valuable assets in Winnipeg’s lineup.
And this isn’t a one-off performance. It marked Connor’s second time reaching the 40-goal mark (he scored 47 in the 2021–22 season) and his fourth straight season topping 30 goals. Since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2017–18, he has never scored fewer than 25 goals in a season — an astonishing level of reliability. Over those eight seasons, his 282 goals rank eighth across the entire league, putting him in truly elite company.
Drafted 17th overall by Winnipeg in 2015, Connor has turned into everything the Jets hoped for and more. So far, he’s notched 582 points — 284 goals and 298 assists — across 613 regular-season games, plus another 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 58 playoff appearances. In short, he’s been the definition of consistent excellence.
But here’s where it gets interesting: is an eight-year, $96 million commitment a sign of confidence or a gamble? Some say it’s a no-brainer for a player with Connor’s production — others worry how his game will hold up toward the later years of the contract. One thing’s for sure: the Jets are making it clear they believe Connor is the centerpiece of their future.
What do you think — did the Jets make the right call locking him in long-term, or should they have waited to see how this season plays out? Share your take in the comments — this deal is bound to get people talking.
