Assessing the Winnipeg Jets' blueline following the Demelo signing
The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Dylan DeMelo to a four-year $19.6 Million contract extension.
The contract carries a salary of $5.5 million for next season, $5 million annually for the following two years, and will conclude with a $4.1 million salary in its final year with an annual average value of $4.9 million.
This is the second extension DeMelo has signed with the Jets, the first coming on Oct. 7, 2020, when he signed a four-year $12 million deal with a modified six-team no trade clause (something not on the extension this go around).
DeMelo is coming off two career seasons where he has played mostly on the top pair with Josh Morrissey. After being acquired from Ottawa ahead of the 2020 trade deadline for a third-round pick, DeMelo was put in that top pair role right away, but it wasn’t until Rick Bowness’ arrival where DeMelo started to put up numbers.
DeMelo’s biggest strength is by no means his offensive game. You will never see him in the headlines for what he does best. DeMelo’s vision, breakout passes and his play in his own zone are what makes him an attractive asset for any team.
Despite being only 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds DeMelo can tire out his opponents with his defensive impact without being overly physical. He is one of the game’s best when it comes to working inside his own blue line.
There is no guarantee the four-year Jet will continue to provide top tier numbers through the rest of this contract, especially with him being 31 years of age, but nothing is pointing in that direction as of now. Along with his career-high in points, DeMelo led the Jets this season with his +46 rating and 136 blocked shots.
What’s Next for Winnipeg’s Blue Line
There are a lot of questions for Winnipeg heading into the offseason and they should be answered rather quickly. With some players wanting out and some players expressing their willingness to stay, it appears to be a confusing time in Manitoba's capital.
Winnipeg has five defencemen under contract for next season: Josh Morrisey, Dylan Samberg, Neal Pionk, Nate Schmidt and now DeMelo. Colin Miller and Brendan Dillon look like they are headed to the free agent frenzy on July 1, while Logan Stanley is a restricted free agent.
The Jets will need to add at least two more blueliners this offseason, who will be capable of playing tough minutes. Samberg may be ready to play on the second pair alongside Pionk, but Pionk struggled last year, despite playing with the veteran Dillon.
Some answers may be within, as Ville Heinola has been knocking at the door for what seems like since his draft season. He has been productive in his small NHL stints, registering one goal and 11 points through 35 career games.
A Nate Schmidt buy-out has been rumored since last season and it's starting to make sense. Despite him being one of the best “locker room guys” in the league, Schmidt was more than occasionally healthy scratched while making $5.95 million. The Jets would save $3.2 million against the cap, which would give them room to sign an impact defenceman in free agency, but it will cost $1.6 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season.
The Jets' blueline and free agents such as Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli will soon be questions of the past. Until then Kevin Cheveldayoff will have his work cut out for him.
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