Winnipeg Jets Extend Defenseman

The Jets are solidifying their defensive core as they look to re-tool after an early playoff exit in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

DeMelo had a career year this year, recording 28 assists for 31 points in 82 games, having the third most points on the team by a defenseman.

This extension for DeMelo solidifies a top-four defensive slot for the Jets, especially considering his production this past season. Winnipeg will now have a top-four defensive core of Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg, and Neal Pionk, of course, subject to change as the offseason moves on.

How This Benefits The Jets

Considering the offseason Winnipeg had last year, where they traded Pierre-Luc Dubois in exchange for a lot of forward depth, which included Alex Iafallo, the Jets could be working on solidifying the defensive core in a similar way, especially considering the rumours surrounding Laurent Brossoit pursuing other options in free agency. bringing in more defensive depth and extending the solid defensive options they have currently looks to be the right path for the team.

Although the Jets had a notably great offensive season, scoring 259 goals in the regular season, one aspect of the game that costed the Jets their first-round playoff matchup on the defensive side of the ice will be Connor Hellebuyck‘s underwhelming playoff performance. As mentioned earlier, part of this problem can be solved by upgrading the blue line and adding puck carriers to limit high-risk chances in their own zone.

However, time will tell, and this could be the first move of many in the Jets’ 2024 offseason that looks to bring them another year of contention.