Post by Winnipeg GM on Oct 23, 2023 13:29:04 GMT -5
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
BREAKING NEWS:
The Winnipeg Jets and Restricted Free Agent Forward Dylan Strome have reached an agreement on a long term extension. While exact terms are not yet known, we are being told that the contract will run through the 2029-2030 Season.
"We are glad to have this done," said General Manager Sean Croft. "Dylan is a player we really love here. He brings so much to the table and his best days are still ahead. Being set down the middle long term has been a goal for us for a while. We are glad to have this done."
"Excited, its been a great spot so far," said Strome. "Coming off the playoffs last year, playing with my brother, its been a really great place to be and I'm happy to stay here for a long time."
The Jets are looking at Strome to be a long term anchor at center in addition to former #1 overall pick Sam Reinhart. Kent Johnson is still in the system and will be integrated into the Jets lineup next season. Many assumed Johnson would join the team now, however, a log jam at forward seems to have prevented that, at least for now.
"Never say never, but its the ice time that prevented it," said Croft. "I think Kent is going to be a star in this league but I really don't see the benefit of sitting him, burying him on the 4th line. We have a few forwards in their final year and we are still active on the market so I anticipate with absolute certainly that we will be able to get Kent the ice time he deserves and the chance to be an every day forward in the NsHL. That's our goal and if something changes in the coming weeks, we'll re-evaluate."
The Jets have been vocal about a handful of forwards being on the block, however, without a reasonable trade partner stepping forward, they seem to be satisfied rolling out the same roster that led them to the playoffs last season. Our understanding is that they are still open to the idea of making moves so long as the returns are reasonable, but the late season push into the playoffs is consistent with the teams culture of positive growth and player development.
Strome signing long term seems to signal that there is a belief internally that the Jet rebuild, however long it takes, should lead to the promiseland in the future. Players and coaches are willing to be patient and ride this out for as long as it takes.
Jay Trotter
Jet Fuel
