The Winnipeg Jets have inked one of their 2021 draft picks, signing Dmitry Kuzmin to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $866,667 at the NHL level.
Kuzmin, 18, was the 82nd overall pick in this year’s draft, selected after a strong showing at the professional level in Belarus. The young defenseman recorded 12 points in 46 games, while also playing well at the U18 World Juniors. It will be interesting to see if the Jets leave him overseas to continue his development, or perhaps bring him to North America to get some action in the CHL. Kuzmin was selected by the Flint Firebirds in the CHL Import Draft earlier this year.
Whether he’s in Europe or the junior ranks on this side of the pond, Kuzmin won’t burn the first year of his entry-level deal in 2021-22. He’s joining what is suddenly a pretty long depth chart on defense in Winnipeg, with five NHL players signed for at least three years and a good number of prospects pushing for playing time.