Report: Update On Winnipeg Jets & Cole Perfetti Contract Talks

Cole Perfetti's 2023-24 was a season of two extremes. In the first half, he showed his true potential as a No. 10 overall pick, recording 14 goals and 29 points in the first 40 games of the season. The second half, however, saw a 23-game goalless streak, a demotion to the fourth line and several healthy scratches.

Coming up with an extension for the 22-year-old has obviously been a tricky process this summer, and now hockey insider David Pagnotta tells us that no deal is imminent.

(The Winnipeg) Jets & Cole Perfetti don’t seem close... Speaking to those across the NHL, a 2-yr bridge (deal) may be likely ($4M+ per?). If the Jets want long-term, I suspect Cole would be open to that, but that’s a much higher AAV. We’ll see how this progresses.

The latest update from Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff came to us about a week ago, and he confirmed that he had a conversation with Perfetti's camp last week, and that "those discussions are ongoing... Hopefully it's something that we get done sooner rather than later."

From Pagnotta's report, we can surmise that it could be more on the 'later' side.

A short-term bridge contract certainly makes sense here, as Perfetti can continue to develop and grow into his immense upside, which would allow him to capitalize better with a long-term deal a couple of years from now.

The Jets, meanwhile, could see better exactly what they've got in the Ontario product.

AFP Analytics projected Perfetti's next deal to be in the $3M AAV range on a short-term bridge contract, or in the $5.5M neighbourhood on a long-term deal.

One thing Perfetti was able to accomplish last season was the ability to finally stay healthy, as he played 71 games after a couple of season-ending injuries cut short his first two years as a pro.

Overall, he finished with 19 goals and 38 points in those 71 games, in only 13:35 ice time per night.

But maybe the best harbinger of things to come: In the first 14-game stretch the Jets played under then-interim coach—and now new head coach Scott Arniel— Perfetti was a point-per-game player, with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in those 14 games.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue with the restricted free agent, and a new deal is reportedly "not close."