Dylan Samberg signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $5.75 million.
The 26-year-old defenseman, who was a restricted free agent, avoided a scheduled salary arbitration hearing. He had 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 60 regular-season games last season to help the Jets (56-22-4) win the Presidents' Trophy, given to the team with the best regular-season record in the NHL, and three assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“I’m very excited to be back with this group,” Samberg said Thursday. “As we showed last season during the regular season, (we were) the best team. I think along with some of our new additions this year, it’ll be good. With adding ‘Schenner’ (defenseman Luke Schenn) last year, I think he was another important piece for us, with being another voice to hear from, he’s had a lot of experience, won Stanley Cups, so that was huge.
“We have a good group here. Everyone is very close, and I’m really excited to get back and get to work.”
Samberg missed 21 games with a lower-body injury sustained after blocking a shot from Steven Stamkos in the second period of a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 23. A second-round pick (No. 43) by Winnipeg in the 2017 NHL Draft, he has 51 points (nine goals, 42 assists) in 216 regular-season games and three assists in 23 playoff games.
The Jets re-signed all three of their RFAs who filed for arbitration July 5, according to the NHL Players' Association. Morgan Barron signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract ($1.85 million AAV) on July 14, and Gabriel Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract ($7.5 million AAV) July 18.
“I’m obviously very excited about it,” Samberg said. “Excited to be back in Winnipeg for three years. There’s some nerves that go into it, especially as you get down to the deadline (before arbitration), but I’m glad we were able to agree to a deal and get things moving forward.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson is the lone RFA out of the 11 who remains without a contract. Hearings are scheduled to be held through Aug. 4 (dates were not announced). A player can sign a contract with his current team anytime before his hearing.
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
