The Winnipeg Jets need to usher in the future of their blue line and increase their short-term financial flexibility. Buying out both defensemen would be relatively simple as they are in the final years of their respective contracts. Pionk's current deal is a four-year one he signed with the Jets in 2021 that carries a $5.875 million average annual value (AAV), while Schmidt's deal is a six-year one he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018 that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff inherited in a 2021 trade that carries a $5.95 million AAV. Pionk, in the first three seasons of his extension, has not replicated the quality of play he provided in his first two seasons in Winnipeg.
GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
82 | 52 | 21 | 9 | 113 | |
82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 110 | |
82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 107 | |
82 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 99 | |
82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
82 | 39 | 34 | 9 | 87 | |
82 | 36 | 41 | 5 | 77 | |
82 | 23 | 53 | 6 | 52 |