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Jets Re-Sign Cole Perfetti to Five-Year $6 M Deal

7/16/2026

Summary

Perfetti Re-signs

Winnipeg Jets re-signed forward Cole Perfetti to a five-year, $6 million-per-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
The deal runs through 2031 and secures three years of unrestricted free agency.
Perfetti posted 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points in 68 games after a high-ankle sprain.
The contract makes him the Jets’ fourth-highest-paid forward and leaves $5.3 million cap space, including $1 million for Viggo Björck’s bonuses.

Summary

Perfetti Avoids Arbitration

The new contract extension eliminated the arbitration hearing scheduled for the Monday after July 15, 2026.
Perfetti filed for arbitration after his September 2024 bridge contract, which carried a $3.25 million cap hit.
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s plan to lock up young talent, prompted by Winnipeg’s missed 2025-26 playoffs, mirrors a league-wide arbitration trend that includes Jason Robertson and Trevor Zegras and coincided with an increase in Perfetti’s top-line minutes under Scott Arniel.

Summary

Perfetti Returns

Cole Perfetti made his regular-season debut on November 9, 2025 in Anaheim after missing the opening weeks due to a high-ankle sprain.
The sprain forced him to sit out 14 games, limiting his early-season rhythm.
Perfetti later said he returned to the lineup before fully healing, which he believes hampered his performance.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first reporter to disclose Perfetti’s arbitration filing and the resulting contract deal.

History

Historical Context

In October 1994 the NHL owners locked out players, and after a 104-day dispute the 1994–95 season was cut to 48 games and a new CBA limited arbitration awards. Commissioner Gary Bettman’s agreement forced teams to sign young players early, a practice still used by Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to avoid arbitration for forward Cole Perfetti.

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Perfetti Re-signs

Winnipeg Jets re-signed forward Cole Perfetti to a five-year, $6 million-per-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
The deal runs through 2031 and secures three years of unrestricted free agency.
Perfetti posted 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points in 68 games after a high-ankle sprain.
The contract makes him the Jets’ fourth-highest-paid forward and leaves $5.3 million cap space, including $1 million for Viggo Björck’s bonuses.

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