Kyle Connor Linked to Red Wings as Potential UFA

Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor linked to hometown Detroit Red Wings as potential UFA

Sniper Kyle Connor is obviously a critical core piece of the Winnipeg Jets. But he's coming to the end of his seven-year, $50 million contract ($7.142M AAV) this coming season, and has been eligible for an extension since July 1st. Yet, here we are, just about a month out from training camp, and no deal is done. So what's the latest?

According to this from insider Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report, maybe Jets fans have reason to become a little nervous about the future of their leading scorer.

I don't think that they've had much in the way of extension talks. My understanding is that the Connor camp is not in very much of a rush to get something done, and they want to evaluate their options. I'm sure Jets fans don't necessarily like the sound of that, particularly after watching Nikolaj Ehlers walk out the door as a free agent.

Seravalli even extrapolates from there, and suggests that if his 'option' is to find a new home, that there's one destination that makes sense for Connor.

A lot of people have been wondering, if Kyle Connor does decide to go to market next summer, would the Detroit Red Wings be a fit for Kyle Connor? You could see the Michigan product going back. I could certainly see that. It would seem to make a ton of sense.

Born in Shelby Township, just outside of Detroit, a homecoming could make sense for both sides. The Red Wings are certainly looking for a dynamic scoring forward for the first line, and a left wing like Connor would be the perfect fit to join forces with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, creating one of the top lines in the NHL.

Connor was the NHL's First Team All-Star left winger this past season, notching his second 40-goal year, and setting career highs with 56 assists and 97 points as well as a plus/minus rating of +17.

He's due for a big raise, and in fact, AFP Analytics has projected an extension at a whopping eight-year, $96 million deal with a $12 million AAV. That sounds like it would be far too rich for the Jets, who currently have top-line center Mark Scheifele on a long-term $8.5M AAV deal.

Nervous times for Jets fans? Seravalli warns, "Not any reason to panic... Don't count out the Jets. They've had a good thing going, obviously a tough playoff exit, but... Connor's gotta be a part of that solution."