Jets sign Dylan DeMelo to four-year, $19.6 million extension

The Winnipeg Jets announced Tuesday the club and defenseman Dylan DeMelo agreed to terms on a four-year, $19.6 million extension with an average annual value of $4.9 million.

The 31-year-old defender set career highs in assists (28) and points (31) last season, and finished second in the entire league with a plus-46 rating. He also led the Jets in blocked shots with 139.

A native of London, Ont., DeMelo averaged 21:44 of ice time with the Jets last season, second on the team and the highest average of his career.

DeMelo signed a four-year, $12 million extension with the Jets ahead of the 2020-21 season, meaning this extension will be a raise of $1.9 million per season.

Through nine seasons, DeMelo has 17 goals and 127 assists for 144 points in 554 career NHL games with the Jets, San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators.

Before becoming a full-time NHL defender, DeMelo spent parts of five seasons with the AHL’s Worcester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, scoring seven goals and 50 assists for 57 points.

Drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, DeMelo spent four seasons with the OHL’s Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Mississauga Steelheads, scoring 25 goals and 100 assists for 125 points in 218 career OHL games.

The Jets went 52-24-6 with 110 points last season, second in the Central Division. They were eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in five games in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Forward Mark Scheifele led the club in scoring with 72 points (25 goals and 47 assists), followed by defenseman Josh Morrissey and his 69 points (10 goals and 59 assists).

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was a finalist for the Veznia Trophy, which he won after the 2019-20 season.