As teams get ready for the remaining rounds of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets took care of some business on Wednesday morning, signing defenceman Dylan DeMelo to a four-year contract extension. The contract is worth $12 million with an average annual value of $3 million.
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DeMelo came to the Jets as part of a trade at this past season’s NHL deadline from the Ottawa Senators. During his time with both teams in 2019-20, he recorded 10 assists and 37 penalty minutes in 59 regular season games. Now 27, he’ll be calling Winnipeg home for a while as the deal is believed to include a modified no-trade clause.
Breakdown of the DeMelo contract:
- Year 1, $2.5 M salary
- Year 2, $3 M salary
- Year 3, $3 M salary
- Year 4, $3.5 M salary
There are no signing bonuses, but DeMelo gets a raise from the $900k he made in his last deal.
The Jets Still Working on Defense
The Jets organization has made improving their blue line a priority and the signing of DeMelo is a step towards that end. They don’t necessarily have good depth on defense and DeMelo should slot in a a number #4 defenseman. He is great in defensive zone, can play at PK.
The London, Ont., native was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, 179th overall.
Next: Winnipeg Jets Take Cole Perfetti No. 10 – NHL 2020 Draft
