Kyle Connor Signs The Largest Contract In Jets History

It's a good week for people named Connor. First, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers signed a two-year extension worth $25 million, which also leaves open the possibility of a massive long-term deal in a few seasons. And now, Kyle Connor has agreed to a new deal with the Winnipeg Jets—and it's the largest contract in franchise history.

Connor's new deal is worth $96 million over eight years, an average annual value of $12 million. That's just $500,000 less than what McDavid signed for. In total value, it easily surpasses the identical seven-year, $59.5 million deals that the Jets gave to goalie Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele.

The Jets were the top team in the NHL during the regular season. That success didn't carry over into the playoffs, however, as the team fell to the Dallas Stars during the Western Conference second round.

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Connor has been a big reason for the Jets' strong play. Winnipeg selected him 17th overall in the 2015 draft, and he's amassed at least 30 goals in all but one of his eight NHL seasons. Last year, he put up career-highs in points (97) and assists (56). It was the second season in four years he had at least 40 goals. The star wing also had a career-high 17 points in 13 playoff games.

Additionally, he's among the league leaders in points and scoring over the past half-decade. The NHL has taken note—Connor made his first All-Star Game appearance in 2022 and added another one in 2024. Last season, he was named to the NHL All-Star First Team, an honor given to the best players in the league.

While Connor has racked up individual accolades, the Jets have tended to flame out early in the playoffs. The team has only reached one conference finals since Connor joined the team, losing to the Las Vegas Knights in five games back in 2017-18.

The Jets have locked up their core for the rest of the decade (and beyond, in Connor's case). Now, the next step is to reach the Stanley Cup Finals and earn the franchise's first championship.