Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti reportedly looking for long-term extension

The Jets selected Perfetti 10th overall in the 2020 draft. In his draft year, he recorded 37 goals and a whooping 111 points in 61 games for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. At the time, he was touted as one of the best prospects in the draft, with many public rankings listing him even higher than 10th overall. The following season he got to play in the AHL due to the OHL being shutdown and he looked like he was progressing nicely with 26 points in 32 games. However, he has yet to reach that upside at the NHL level as he has just 29 goals and 75 points in 140 career games with the Jets. He did take a big step forward this season though, setting career highs in goals with 19, and points, with 38. Will that be enough to convince the Jets he is worthy of an eight year deal?

Perhaps not. After all, Perfetti has been involved in trade rumors for some time now. Most recently, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Jets offered Perfetti as part of a package for Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. According to Frank, the deal was Perfetti, 2022 14th overall pick Rutger McGroarty, and a pick for Necas.

That seems like a major overpay from Winnipeg's standpoint, but the team has a notoriously difficult time attracting free agents and McGroarty is rumored to not want to play in Winnipeg, so perhaps the deal would have made sense. However, it never materialized for unknown reasons. As such, Perfetti will likely continue his career with the Jets, but he still needs a contract for next season.

Source: EliteProspects
Cole Perfetti Career Statistics