WINNIPEG — Jets fan Mark Galang watched the team practise Wednesday and was feeling more optimistic about its future after hearing the big news of the day. Star left-winger Kyle Connor was on the ice after signing the franchises richest contract, an eight-year, US$96-million extension with an annual average value of $12 million that kicks in next season and runs through 2033-34.
"I feel grateful and thankful just because its nice that were keeping our star players, Galang said as his five-year-old son, Hudson, clutched hockey cards while sporting a team jersey and cap. Its nice to have (Connor) locked up long term on what I feel is a team-friendly deal." Were building something good here for him to stay.
At the start of practice, the Jets formed a circle at centre ice and gave congratulatory stick taps when head coach Scott Arniel officially told them Connors news. Its the camaraderie and teams potential that Connor pointed to as the main reasons for re-upping with the club that drafted him in 2015 (17th overall). Winnipeg claimed the Presidents' Trophy last season for finishing with the most regular-season points (116).
"I think the culture and identity of this city and this organization fits well in my values and that's something that was a big priority for me," said Connor, who became the father of a daughter last March. And just looking at the window and the pieces that this organization has built over the years and just the willingness to win at all costs. Connor led the team in scoring last season with 41 goals and a career-high 97 points that was seventh in NHL scoring. The 28-year-old from Shelby Township, Mich., said he was glad to get the deal done before Winnipeg starts the season Thursday at home against the Dallas Stars, who knocked the Jets out of the playoffs in the second round last season. Connor, whose expiring contract pays him $7.14 million this season, could have played out his contract and likely garnered more money as an unrestricted free agent.
"I reflected on it at the end of the year last year and gave it some thought, but there was never any scenario where I could see myself going somewhere else, he said. This team, these guys here and this organization has been nothing but top notch. … I wouldn't want to try to win a Stanley Cup with another group of players in an organization. So once you really start thinking about it, there's no other place."
Linemate Mark Scheifele and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had inked the teams highest deals when they signed identical seven-year, $59.5-million extensions in October 2023 that expire after the 2030-31 season. Just happy for him, Scheifele said of Connors lucrative deal. That's tremendous and just very, very happy for him and happy for myself, too. "I get him for the rest of my career so that's pretty exciting news." Connor has scored 30-plus goals the past four seasons, reaching 47 in 2021-22. "He just does everything," Scheifele said. "He can kill penalties, he's obviously got an amazing shot, but he really just does everything. He's so dynamic. He's so exciting to watch and exciting to play with. He reads the game so well, he works so hard. He comes in every year in tip-top shape, and he's just a guy that loves to get better. And that's what I love about him. "
The pairs other linemate, right-winger Gabriel Vilardi, signed a six-year, $45-million deal last July. Winnipeg lost speedy winger Nikolaj Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes in the off-season, but Arniel views Connors signing as another example that Winnipeg is a great place to play. Weve said before "its hard to get guys, free agents, to come here, but once we get them here and get a grasp on them, get a hold on them, we dig in on them, they recognize how special it is to play here", Arniel said. "We have to make sure we do everything correctly as an organization, that we treat guys as professionally and as best we can. But it isnt just them, its their families, their wives, their girlfriends, their families back home."
TOEWS ON TRACK Jonathan Toews practised with the Jets again and appears recovered from a lower-body tweaking he sustained against Minnesota on Sept. 30. Arniel wasnt tipping his hand on whether the Winnipeg-born centre will play his first game in two seasons against the Stars. (Toews) had a real good day today. "We will make that decision (Thursday)," Ariel said. That is great to see.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025. Judy Owen, The Canadian Press.
