The Winnipeg Jets have announced a pair of minor league signings, inking Dominic Toninato and C.J. Suess. Toninato has signed a one-year, two-way deal that carries a $700K salary at the NHL level, while Suess’s deal is a two-year, two-way contract with an average annual value of $725K in the NHL.
Suess returns to the only professional organization he’s known, following his strong 2019-20 season with the Manitoba Moose. The 26-year-old forward scored 14 goals in 57 games for the team and even earned himself an NHL call-up, making his debut for the Jets in November. A fifth-round pick in 2014 he’ll likely return to the minor leagues this season and provide some scoring punch for Manitoba.
Toninato meanwhile is joining his third organization, fourth if you include the Toronto Maple Leafs who drafted him in 2012. The University of Minnesota-Duluth product never did sign with Toronto, instead joining the Colorado Avalanche where he played 39 NHL games over two seasons. Traded to the Florida Panthers in 2019, he actually spent most of the year in the NHL, suiting up 46 times and playing in three postseason matches.
Getting Toninato on an NHL-minimum two-way contract is a nice pull for the Jets, given his experience and ability to jump into the lineup if needed. While he shouldn’t be inked onto the lineup card on a regular basis, he’ll be a useful piece in case of injury.