Jets sign RFA winger Patrik Laine to two-year deal
Posted September 27, 2019 1:38 pm.
WINNIPEG (Sportsnet) – The Winnipeg Jets and winger Patrik Laine have agreed to terms on a two-year deal, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
Patrik Laine signs a two-year deal with #NHLJets carrying a $6.75M AAV. He travelled back to Finland today from Switzerland, where he'd been skating with SC Bern, and will soon be en route to Manitoba.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 27, 2019
Laine, 21, has emerged as one of the most dominant pure goal-scorers in the game over his three seasons in the big leagues, posting 110 goals through his first 237 NHL appearances. Only five other NHLers have tallied more goals in that span — Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, John Tavares, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.
Laine’s best campaign came as a sophomore, when the Tampere, Finland, native amassed 44 goals and 70 points, finishing first and second among Jets skaters in those categories, respectively. A tumultuous, streaky 2018-19 had Laine finish third among Jets skaters in goals this time around, however, and fourth in points.
The young Finn’s future in Winnipeg seemed up in the air at times this summer — the most recent incident coming by way of an interview overseas in which Laine said one issue that arose during his prolonged contract negotiations was where exactly he’d play in the Jets’ lineup.
However, with a new deal inked, the young sniper returns to Winnipeg to re-join one of the West’s most potent offensive corps.
With his entry-level deal finishing up at the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign, Laine entered the off-season as part of a star-studded class of RFAs, many of whom have signed deals late in the summer or remain unsigned with the season approaching.
