At the time he signed his two year bridge deal back in November, the expectation remained that Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba would eventually be traded even though he had rescinded his trade request. Speaking with reporters today, including Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun, the blueliner stated that he’s happy in Winnipeg and is open to discussing an extension this summer:
“I’ve got no problem with Winnipeg and I think I’ve made that pretty clear. The contract is a two-way street and both sides have to come to together and agree on something. It’s not completely me, it’s not completely them. It’s a mutual thing. It’s not a super pressing issue, I don’t think. I’ve just got to play out next year and see where it goes.”
Trouba had his best season in 2016-17, collecting a career high 33 points despite playing in only 60 games while averaging just shy of 25 minutes per night, also a career mark. He’s eligible to sign a long-term extension as of July 1st; if he doesn’t sign one, he’ll be due a qualifying offer of $3.5MM following the 2017-18 campaign.
Other notes out of Winnipeg:
- Blueliner Toby Enstrom declined to comment as to whether or not he has been asked by management to waive his no-move clause or even if he’d consider doing so, notes Mike Sawatsky of the Winnipeg Free Press. With the team wanting to protect Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien (who also has a NMC), and Tyler Myers in expansion, Enstrom’s clause would force the Jets to protect eight skaters instead of the standard 7/3/1 that most teams will use. The veteran reiterated that he’s happy in Winnipeg and wants to stay for next season. He has one year left on his contract with a $5.75MM cap charge which may be too rich for Vegas to take but Enstrom may not want to take the chance.
- Also in Sawatsky’s column, left winger Mathieu Perreault revealed that he had spoken with management regarding the expansion draft and indicated that he was told that the team will try to do everything they can to protect him. Perreault, whose four year, $16MM extension kicks in next season, has been a popular pick as a player that the Golden Knights could potentially select and slot into their top six. He posted a career high in points this season with 45 despite missing 17 games due to injury.