NHL Analyst Provides Update on Cole Perfetti's Future With Winnipeg Jets

Though his playoff performance, six points in 13 games, was quality, Cole Perfetti became a favorite around the franchise with a Game 7 buzzer-beating goal against the St. Louis Blues.

This led to 'The Manitoba Miracle' being born, and one day it could become the game remembered as the one Perfetti locked up stardom.

At 23, Perfetti starts the last year of his $3.25-million bridge deal. Next summer, he'll be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, two years shy of unrestricted free agency.

Winnipeg will need to budget to pay Perfetti similarly to Gabriel Vilardi

With teammate Gabriel Vilardi just signing for six years at $7.5-million AAV, Perfetti will likely get an equal salary.

The challenge for Winnipeg is balancing opportunity and value. Despite averaging just 15:11 of ice time, Perfetti still produced at a high clip.

'With so much commitment to the top unit, will the Jets do enough to surround Perfetti with a strong enough supporting cast to convince him that his role is worth staying in for longer than two years?

'With all of these factors considered, Perfetti should be earning somewhere in the range of $7 million to $8 million a season for three to four years. It's up to the Jets to convince Perfetti to eat UFA-eligible years and show he's a key part of the future.'

- Eric Cruikshank

But with Kyle Connor occupying the top left-wing role and headed for UFA status in 2026, NHL analyst Eric Cruikshank of 'The Hockey News' believes Perfetti's future role and contract will depend heavily on how the Jets envision their long-term core.