After putting pen to paper, what should Jets fans expect from forward Cole Perfetti this season
The Winnipeg Jets and forward Cole Perfetti have finally reached an agreement on a new two-year, $6.5 million bridge deal that will keep the 22-year-old with the team.
The Whitby native, by multiple reports, was very helpful and open with the Jets organization through the entire process as the two parties worked on creating a new deal that worked for everyone. Perfetti spent time as a restricted free agent participating in certain team events like the Winnipeg Jets Golf Classic, as well as representing the team at the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.
Perfetti's actions should've signalled to many that he intended to stay with the team and this new deal is the first step towards a larger extension in two years.
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He is coming off a 38-point campaign that may have disappointed many as the season prior he recorded 30 points in 20 less games. Eight point difference over 20 games certainly isn't growth that the Jets were hoping for. However, Perfetti had the fifth-lowest time on ice per games played (13:35) of Jets that played in 20 or more games. The added time in a top six role can hopefully give Perfetti the breakout fans have been waiting for.
For the upcoming season, ESPN has Perfetti projected to record 23 goals and 28 assists for his first career 50-point season. Yahoo Sports has him projected for a slightly lower 47 points with 21 goals and 26 assists. These projections make it apparent that he is expected to take a step forward and his expected placement on the teams second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers should help.
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The Winnipeg Jets selected Perfetti tenth overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and during his time with the team, he's recorded 29 goals and 46 assists for 75 points in 140 career games.