The Winnipeg Jets announced on Monday that they have signed restricted free-agent forward Cole Perfetti to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.25 million.
Perfetti, 22, had a productive season last year, recording 19 goals and 38 points in 71 games. He made his playoff debut in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche, having been a healthy scratch for the first four games of the series.
Earlier this month, Perfetti represented the Jets at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas, despite being unsigned at that time. He expressed optimism about the upcoming season, stating he will have a “clean slate” under new head coach Scott Arniel following a challenging end to the previous season.
During the last campaign, Perfetti started strong, notching 14 goals and 29 points in his first 40 games. However, he faced a significant challenge midway through the season, experiencing a 23-game goal drought, during which he managed just two assists.
The Whitby, Ontario native was selected 10th overall by the Jets in the 2020 NHL Draft. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 29 goals and 75 points in 140 games.
Following the signing of Perfetti, the Jets currently have $2.5 million of cap space available, according to PuckPedia.
