NHL Rumors: Jets Star Expected To Stay With Team

It appears as though the Winnipeg Jets will have the services of Mark Scheifele for at least next season. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said that his exit interview with Scheifele went well and he expects him back with the team next season.

Of course it is in the hands of Cheveldayoff being the general manager, so that means Scheifele is good with the direction of the team and they are planning on being competitive next season after failing to reach the postseason in 2021-22. He also shouldn't be expected to ask for a trade unless things go off the rails next season.

Scheifele recorded 29 goals and 70 points in 67 games last season and the core group should be intact for 2022-23. This core has done well in the past, but the team will also have to make some tweaks to get back on track.

Scheifele has two years remaining on his eight-year, $49 million contract and is one of the leaders that will have to help get this team turned around. There was doubt for him after the final regular season game about his future in Winnipeg, but the Jets made sideways moves and weren't exclusively buyers or sellers at the past deadline.

"I have to think about my career and what's going to be best for me. I have to talk to my agents and everyone in my family and stuff like that and figure out what I really want," Scheifele said. It of course puts doubt in anyone's mind if the team is getting a bit older and they miss the playoffs, but his discussion with Cheveldayoff cleared things up. Expect there to be trade talk involving Scheifele if the Jets are having a less than adequate season since he would draw a lot of trade interest.