The Winnipeg Jets have locked up a key member of their blue line, avoiding free agency, but this highlights how good Filip Hronek's contract with Vancouver is.
On X on Tuesday morning, the Winnipeg Jets announced that they've agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $19.6 million ($4.9 million AAV) with pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Dylan DeMelo.
While they're both at different stages of their respective careers, Dylan DeMelo will be 35 by the time this contract concludes. No disrespect to him, but it's hard to see him being worth $4.9 million per season then, even with the salary cap expected to go up significantly in the coming years.
However, DeMelo did have a career year, putting up 31 points in 82 games. However, Hronek, who's only 26, also had a career year, recording 48 points in 81 regular season contests.
In terms of value for money, especially when considering the salary cap increases to come in the years that follow next season, the Vancouver Canucks got an excellent deal with Filip Hronek. If he plays like he did in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign, the Czech blueliner's contract will age like wine.
The free agent defenceman market will be interesting to watch in the coming days and weeks. Patrik Allvin will be looking for help on his blue line, with potentially three of their defensive group - Nikita Zadorov, Ian Cole and Tyler Myers all set to become UFAs at 12 pm ET on July 1st.
