September 5, 2024 | 12:50PM ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

PERFETTI, JETS CONTRACT TALKS REMAIN SLUGGISH

Cole Perfetti, forward

Contract negotiations between the Winnipeg Jets and restricted free agent forward Cole Perfetti remain stagnant, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.

As Pagnotta reported on Thursday, talks between the two sides have not yet gained any traction and Perfetti’s camp continues to wait to hear back from Jets management on a firm offer.

“It’s been crickets for the most part, minus a brief phone call last week,” Pagnotta said. “Obviously, it takes one call to shift things and gain any momentum, but that still hasn’t happened as of this morning.”

Perfetti, 22, picked up 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 71 games with the Jets last season, the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract.

Last week on NHL Network, Pagnotta reported Perfetti and the Jets are likely to end up with a short-term, bridge contract that could see the AAV hover around $4 million unless the club shifts its mindset and tries to get Perfetti to commit to a long-term deal.

“Perfetti would be open to a long-term agreement with Winnipeg if the Jets approach him and his agent with that option, but right now it sounds like we may see something fall in the two-year range whenever this gets finalized.”

As teams monitor Perfetti’s situation in Winnipeg and some of the other remaining unsigned RFAs across the League, Perfetti is not expected to entertain an offer sheet if one is presented. At the same time, separate sources have told TFP the Jets would not hesitate to match any offer sheet signed by Perfetti if he goes down that path, which is unlikely.

With training camps across the NHL set to start on Sept. 18, there is still time for the Jets and Perfetti to iron out a new contract, but if a deal is not reached by the start of Jets camp, Perfetti is not expected to be in attendance.

“Cole has been training on and off the ice this summer at home just outside Toronto and is eager to play a bigger role this coming season,” Pagnotta said. “He’s just playing the waiting game until they can figure out his contract.”