Jets Ink J.C. Lipon To A One Year Contract

The Jets have locked up one of their remaining restricted free agents as they announced the re-signing of right winger J.C. Lipon to a one year, two-way contract.  The deal will pay Lipon $650K at the NHL level while his AHL pay has not yet been disclosed.

Lipon made his NHL debut with the Jets last season after spending the previous two full years in the AHL.  He suited up in nine games with Winnipeg, collecting an assist while averaging just shy of seven minutes of ice time per contest.  The 23 year old also got into 45 AHL contests with AHL Manitoba, picking up 13 goals and 17 assists to go along with 80 penalty minutes.

As a waiver-eligible player for the first time beginning next season, Lipon is likely to get a close look with the Jets in training camp, either as a fourth liner or even potentially a reserve player if they fear he could be claimed off of waivers if they try to send him back to the minor leagues.

[Related: Jets’ Depth Chart]

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s work still isn’t done this offseason as the team still has defenseman Jacob Trouba to re-sign.  Trouba is one of 20 remaining restricted free agents throughout the league.  Winnipeg has plenty of cap space to work with to get a deal done with the blueliner as they have a little over $9.3MM in room according to Cap Friendly.