Contract Talks Put Kyle Connor at Center of Jets Camp

Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid, two Connors in need of a contract extension in Canadian markets.

The 28-year-old first-line winger is entering the final season of his seven-year, $50 million deal worth $7,142,857 annually.

The 2015 17th overall draft selection is coming off a career season, posting 97 points (41G, 56A) in 82 games. He added 17 points (5G, 12A) in 13 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff games. There is always more buzz surrounding a pending unrestricted free agent, but this buzz is louder after Ehlers’ departure to Carolina in the 2025 offseason.

Winnipeg wants to keep Connor as a Jet until he retires, and Connor has noted that he’s focused on himself and will let business take care of business. Nobody is certain if they can take a deep breath, yet.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has stated he’s “had great dialogue” with Connor’s camp, but as of right now, there remains no timeline for a deal.

“You’d like to have it done yesterday,” Cheveldayoff stated. “Those are things that you keep pushing towards. Every conversation, you’re kind of hopeful that this is one that closes it. I don’t know that it’s a timeframe sort of thing,” he added.

Connor’s answer to reporters is a non-answer, and it sparks concern for Jets fans. When Ehlers was a Jet last year, he praised the city of Winnipeg and still moved on to Carolina to continue his career.

As more reports surface, Darren Dreger noted on the Ray and Dregs podcast that “it sounds like talks are progressing; I think it’ll come somewhere in that Marner territory… $12m somewhere around there.”

This would make Connor the highest-paid Winnipeg Jet, and it’s hard to argue against paying the Jets’ star winger that dollar amount. Winnipeg would love the term to be eight years long, but something identical to the seven-year deals Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele signed in 2023 before opening night is more realistic. This suits Kevin Cheveldayoff’s playbook when you scratch the surface of what a Kyle Connor deal looks like.

Given that Connor is 28, he could likely opt for a two-or three-year contract in hopes of getting a significantly larger payday when the salary cap skyrockets past $110 million.

All in all, the sooner that Kyle Connor re-signs in Winnipeg, the better. The Jets are a team to challenge for more postseason success, but the bar remains the highest it’s ever been for this team, including Kyle Connor.

The Jets wouldn’t consider trading Connor ahead of the 2026 Trade Deadline, even as a potential pending UFA at the time. Ehlers’ uncertainty around putting pen to paper in Winnipeg causes necessary concern for the front office and the fanbase as a collective. As time passes, the Jets will aim to avoid a repeat if everything aligns.

Connor’s leaving things to the “business side of things” is a simple non-answer. His praise of the city and the community is an expected response, especially given his contract status right now.

All in all, every day that passes heightens the concern. Will Kyle Connor re-sign in Winnipeg, or is this just the same story as last season and the hearts of a fanbase break for a second consecutive year?