Jets sign Neal Pionk to six-year contract extension
The Winnipeg Jets announced Thursday the team had agreed to terms with defenseman Neal Pionk on a six-year contract extension with an annual average value (AAV) of $7 million, totalling $42 million.
Takin' Care Of Business? YOU BETCHA! pic.twitter.com/rlJ1gfjHgw
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 17, 2025
The 29-year-old Pionk has 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points and 44 penalty minutes, averaging 22:04 of ice time in 69 games with the Jets this season. He was in the final year of a four-year, $23.5 million contract he signed ahead of the 2021-22 season.
An undrafted free agent, Pionk signed with the New York Rangers in 2017 after playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He was acquired by the Jets in the Jacob Trouba trade in June 2019.
In 536 career regular-season games with the Rangers and Jets, Pionk has 44 goals and 212 assists for 256 points and 296 penalty minutes.
In two college hockey seasons, the Omaha, Neb., native has 11 goals and 40 assists for 51 points in 82 career games with Minnesota-Duluth.
On Wednesday, the Jets announced Wednesday they have agreed to terms with forward Alex Iafallo on a three-year contract extension worth $11 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $3,666,666.
The 31-year-old Iafallo has 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points and 15 penalty minutes in 81 games with the Jets this season. He ranks third on the team in plus-minus with a plus-21 rating.
Last Sunday, the Jets officially clinched the 2024-25 Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s best regular-season record. The Jets finished with a 56-22-4 record and 116 points, the best record in franchise history.
Forward Kyle Connor leads the team in all offensive categories with 41 goals, 56 assists and 97 points. Mark Scheifele isn’t far behind, with 39 goals and 48 assists for 87 points. Josh Morrissey leads all defenders in scoring with 14 goals and 48 assists for 62 points.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is having another all-time season, posting a 47-12-3 with a .925 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average (GAA). He is the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy and could end up being a finalist for the Hart Trophy.