NHL Free Agency: Is Neal Pionk on His Way Out of Winnipeg?
The Winnipeg Jets will be without D Neal Pionk for a little while. pic.twitter.com/7exfCCHPoo
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 14, 2025
With Pionk's contract set to expire after this season, discussions about his future with the Jets have emerged.
According to Murat Ates of The Athletic, Pionk is "comfortable with how things are going," trusting his agent to handle contract matters.
Ates suggests that the Jets value Pionk highly and expect him to return, though his offensive production could lead to a higher price point in negotiations.
NEAL PIONK UNLOADS AN ABSOLUTE ROCKET 17 SECONDS INTO OVERTIME 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gGvYWvXox7
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 23, 2025
Pionk signed a four-year, $23.50 million deal in 2021. Now set to test unrestricted free agency again, AFP Analytics projects a six-year deal with an AAV of $6.95 million, drawing comparisons to Mackenzie Weegar's eight-year contract with the Calgary Flames, which carries an AAV of $6.25 million.
Given his performance over his six seasons in Winnipeg, one would think the Jets would be eager to get a deal done.
The 29-year-old has recorded 36 goals, 214 total points, and a +39 plus/minus rating across 432 games played with the Jets. It will be interesting to see whether the two sides can hash out a deal this summer and what the number will look like.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images