Though news of the deal came out late last night, the Winnipeg Jets have now officially announced the new contract for minor league forward Seth Griffith. Griffith has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract which will pay him $700K at the NHL level. The 26-year old forward was set to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer.
Griffith has bounced around the league since being selected in the fifth round seven years ago, playing for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and now Winnipeg Jets. During that time he has barely seen any NHL action, suiting up 79 times—interestingly just a single game below the Group VI threshold. Part of the reason that opportunity has been difficult to find is Griffith’s skill set, as he is an offensive player that can produce on the powerplay and doesn’t fit in quite well in a checking role.
In the minor leagues, that offensive role has suited Griffith just fine. Through 318 AHL contests the undersized forward has registered 300 points, including a 57-point season for the Manitoba Moose in 2018-19. That’s likely the role he’ll return to next season, though he’ll have to clear waivers at the start of the year in order to be assigned to the minor leagues.