Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine bets on himself with bridge deal

WINNIPEG, MB - APRIL 18: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during first period action against the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on April 18, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Blues defeated the Jets 3-2 to lead the series 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - APRIL 18: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during first period action against the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on April 18, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Blues defeated the Jets 3-2 to lead the series 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets have come to terms on a 2 year  $13.5 million dollar contract today causing some in Winnipeg to exhale, while the rest of the NHL scratches its head.

After just a few days from the Brayden Point extension at three years at $20.5 million and the Matthew Tkachuk extension at three years at $21 million, Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets have come to an agreement on a short 2-year deal at $13.5 million.

Yes, your math is correct. Laine is making more than Tkachuk, and more than Point. One thing is certain, taxes must be higher in Canada.

More from Puck Prose

After a long holdout and some real turnover and uncertainty in the Winnipeg Jets locker room, one piece has fallen into place. Resigning Patrik Laine was causing some angst in Winnipeg, especially with the off-season moves of Jakob Trouba, Tyler Myers and the recent uncertainty of Dustin Byfuglien, Jets fans have to be rattled and worried.

Patrik Laine and Kyle Conner are two very integral pieces to the Winnipeg offense and both were due raises as RFAs this season. With all the RFA holdouts this off-season Jets fans were beginning to worry if they were going to start the season without Laine, Conner, and Byfuglien after the departures of Myers and Trouba.

Well, they can exhale some now. Laine is signed, albeit to a small 2-year deal, but he’s signed and will report to Manitoba soon.

I won’t speculate on whether this is a good signing, or how it stacks up to the other RFA deals this off-season. It really hasn’t made much sense this season if you ask me. That discussion will be for another article that I’ll get to you all next week as I imagine everyone will be signed by the middle of next week.

I will say that the consensus in Winnipeg is, “Thank God and let’s get Kyle Conner done now too!” I won’t try to even guess what his contract will look like at this……….maybe Brayden Point’s?

Take another deep breathe Winnipeg. Conner’s deal is coming and then let’s hope Big Buf is coming back for one more if not the remainder of his contract. The Laine drama is over, for a year anyway. I look forward to covering the next drama-filled offseason involving Laine here shortly!

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