No, it isn't an unrestricted free agent opting to come to Winnipeg, nor is it the re-signing of a key, cornerstone piece from the club last year.
No, it isn't an unrestricted free agent opting to come to Winnipeg, nor is it the re-signing of a key, cornerstone piece from the club last year.
Rather, it's Manitoba Moose defenceman Ashton Sautner. He agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way deal with Jets on a contract that is very AHL money-heavy.
Worth $775K at the NHL level, Sautner would earn that paycheque should he spent time playing with the Jets or being listed on the team's active roster (healthy scratch, etc.). But what is likely the case is another season with the Moose, to which he will earn a team-high $225K in the minors (amongst players on two-way deals).
The undrafted 29-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Jets' farm club in the American Hockey League. A local product of Flin Flon, Sautner began his professional career within the Vancouver Canucks organization, before transitioning back to his home province in 2021-22.
He is coming off three separate one-year contracts, to which the 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner has seen steady improvement. Last year he put up two goals, 12 points and 50 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Moose.
Sautner has three assists and four penalty minutes in 23 career NHL games, all for the Canucks.