Winnipeg Jets Re-Sign Neal Pionk

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed defenseman Neal Pionk to a four-year contract. It will carry an average annual value of $5.875 million.

$5.875M AAV

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 11, 2021

The Jets acquired Pionk from the New York Rangers before the start of the 2019-20 season in the Jacob Trouba trade. Since joining the team, he has become a very effective top-four defenseman. His offensive totals have skyrocketed and he's provided reliable defense in the process. In fact, one could argue that he has played better than Trouba over these last two seasons. 

In 54 games this past season, the 26-year-old defenseman scored three goals and recorded 32 points. He also had 45 points in 71 games the season before, so it is clear that he can provide strong offensive totals from the backend. Now, the Jets will continue to have him do that for four more seasons.

Overall, this is a very good signing by the Jets. It is not as expensive as it could have been and also takes away the possibility of him leaving via unrestricted free agency for multiple years. 

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