Jets Notes: Howden, Season Statistical Predictions
Forward Quinton Howden couldn’t be happier to be playing for his favorite team writes the Winnipeg Free Press’ Jason Bell. Howden, who spent the last three seasons with the Florida Panthers, will have his work cut out for him, but is absolutely thrilled to be back where he grew up rooting for the Jets. The left wing has a lot of competition for one of the final forward spots but it doesn’t dampen the dream of playing for the team he worshipped. On what he brings to the Jets, Howden said:
I’ll bring my speed, that’s my biggest asset. If I can use that to my advantage, hopefully I’ll show what I’ve got.”
The Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen also caught up with Howden and likened him to a “kid-in-candy-store” when it comes to playing for the Jets. Friesen writes that Howden is a player whose potential hasn’t been fully realized and was described as one of the fastest players in the Panthers’ organization. Howden’s “wide-eyed” approach to being a member of the Jets organization may not nail down a spot for him on the roster, but with the speed and enthusiasm, Howden certainly has a chance to make himself well known.
- The Hockey Writers’ Judson Rempel makes some predictions about who could lead the Jets in statistics come this season and the predictions aren’t surprising. Rempel opines that Mark Scheifele will lead the Jets in goal scoring while Blake Wheeler should pace the team in assists. Rempel also delves into analytics, writing that Mathieu Perreault should lead the team in Corsi% while Dustin Byfuglien will make the long skate to the penalty box more than anyone else.
Jets Sign Mathieu Perreault To A Four Year Extension
The Winnipeg Jets announced that they have signed forward Mathieu Perreault to a four year contract extension. The deal is worth a total of $16.5MM, for a cap hit of $4.125MM. The new deal will start in 2017-18 as Perreault has one year left on his current contract with a cap hit of $3MM.
Last season, Perreault played in 71 games with Winnipeg, recording nine goals and 32 assists. His 41 points matched his output from the previous season. He also logged a career high in ice time, averaging 16:33 per game.
In his seven year career, Perreault has suited up in 361 NHL games with Washington, Anaheim, and Winnipeg, scoring 78 goals and 117 assists. 125 of those 195 points have come in the past three seasons where he has recorded at least 41 points in each of those years.
Perreault will become Winnipeg’s third highest paid forward under the new deal in 2017-18, behind only Blake Wheeler ($5.6MM) and Bryan Little (4.7MM)