Cole Perfetti has been on an upward trajectory ever since the Winnipeg Jets drafted him 10th overall in 2020, so it's easy to see a bright future for him. With 30 points in 51 games in his rookie campaign, Perfetti managed to put up 19 goals the next season and set high expectations for himself heading into 2024-25, which he exceeded [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/players/young-jets-forward-sets-a-new-career-high-in-points] by recording 50 points in 82 games and solidifying himself as a top-six winger. While his playoff numbers are just OK – three goals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/players/it-took-some-time-but-jets-cole-perfettis-shooting-luck-has-finally-arrived] and six points in 13 games – Perfetti cemented himself in Jets history this season, scoring the latest tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/jets-cole-perfetti-breaks-nhl-record-held-by-former-canucks-forward-matt-cooke] with less than three seconds left in the third period against the St. Louis Blues. That goal, appropriately named the “Manitoba Miracle,” could perhaps be reflected on by viewers years from now as the moment Perfetti accelerated his status as an elite dual-threat winger for the Jets. However, that goal could be remembered a lot differently if the Jets don’t find a way to retain his services. The 23-year-old is entering the final season of his two-year extension with the Jets, carrying a modest $3.25-million cap hit. He’ll be an RFA with arbitration rights once the contract expires, and he would only need to re-sign for two years to take him to unrestricted free agency in 2028. Perfetti is undoubtedly due for a hefty raise, especially considering the latest six-year extension with a $7.5-million cap hit handed out to teammate Gabriel Vilardi on July 18 [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/winnipeg-jets-and-gabriel-vilardi-avoid-arbitration-with-six-year-deal]. While Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff deserves a ton of credit for the work he’s done thus far, the toughest deals are just around the corner. Cole Perfetti, Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8fba40fc-5f06-48e3-85d5-47830367ce27.jpeg] Cole Perfetti, Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images) PROJECTING PERFETTI'S NEXT CONTRACT While Winnipeg has previously been considered an unfavorable destination for NHL free agents, Chevaldayoff has managed to retain Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Neal Pionk and Vilardi on long-term deals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/i-love-it-in-winnipeg---jets-forward-gabe-vilardi-ready-for-six-more-seasons-in-manitoba] to keep the team’s competitive window open for a long time. The team’s top dogs have taken less money than they would have gotten on the open market to maintain the group’s status as contenders. Those are culture-setting deals, and the Jets will hope Perfetti maintains a similar thought process when entering negotiations. How the Jets see Perfetti’s role progressing within the team’s lineup will also dictate the result of the next contract offer he earns. Regardless of Perfetti’s offensive output this season, Kyle Connor, the team’s top left winger who is set to become a UFA next summer, will play a huge role in how Perfetti’s value is perceived by the organization. As long as Connor is with the Jets, Perfetti’s future opportunities will be somewhat limited. Putting up 50 points while averaging just 15:11 of ice time would suggest there is a lot of potential left to unlock in Perfetti’s game, but there’s no clear path for him to realize that potential while playing behind a perennial 40-goal scorer in Connor. There’s also uncertainty about whether Perfetti will play with better linemates this season than this past year, when he often skated with Nikolaj Ehlers and Vladislav Namestnikov. The departure of Ehlers to Carolina [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/breaking-nikolaj-ehlers-signs-six-year-51-million-contract-with-the-carolina-hurricanes], the uncertainty of 37-year-old Jonathan Toews’ abilities [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/if-jonathan-toews-falters-will-the-jets-have-a-plan-b-cap-space-says-yes] after not playing an NHL game in more than two years and 35-year-old Gustav Nyquist [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/jets-bring-in-gustav-nyquist-on-one-year-deal]’s age are all factors that could affect Perfetti’s statistical output this season. While that may help the Jets keep him for a cheaper price, it may also raise some questions for Perfetti on whether or not the long-term fit in the organization is right for him. Winnipeg Jets And Gabriel Vilardi Avoid Arbitration With Six-Year Deal [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a5769abb-d078-4208-926b-04a1b1844a50.webp] Winnipeg Jets And Gabriel Vilardi Avoid Arbitration With Six-Year Deal The Winnipeg Jets re-signed RFA Gabriel Vilardi to a six-year contract on Friday. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/winnipeg-jets-and-gabriel-vilardi-avoid-arbitration-with-six-year-deal] With so much commitment to the top unit, will the Jets do enough to surround Perfetti with a strong enough supporting cast to convince him that his role is worth staying in for longer than two years? Perhaps a full-time spot on the Jets’ top power play, a special teams unit that was best in the NHL last season, will be enough to offset those changes in the future. Fortunately for the Jets, money will not be an issue – for now. The departure of Ehlers and a continuously rising salary cap have likely given the team the flexibility to retain Connor and Perfetti through at least the beginning of the next decade if the players decide the fit is right. With all of these factors considered, Perfetti should be earning somewhere in the range of $7 million to $8 million a season for three to four years. It’s up to the Jets to convince Perfetti to eat UFA-eligible years and show he’s a key part of the future. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
