Winnipeg Jets sign seven Restricted Free Agents, avoid arbitration –NHL offseason Update
Winnipeg Jets, the newly relocated National Hockey League (NHL) franchise from Atlanta and formerly known as Thrashers, signed seven of their remaining restricted free agents on Monday, July 18, a move which was carried out in order to avoid future arbitration
hearings.
Amongst those who were signed, Blake Wheeler, a 24-year-old right winger from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States, was the most prominent.
Along with him, Brett Festerling, Riley Holzapfel, Arturs Kulda, Spencer Machacek, Ben Maxwell and Kenndal McArdle all agreed to separate deals with the new major league club, but none of the financial terms and lengths of the contract were disclosed.
Wheeler, a fifth overall draft during round-one of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by Phoenix Coyotes, started off his major league career by played three consecutive seasons with Boston Bruins from 2008-2010.
It was during last season that he was traded to Atlanta after appearing in regular season games.
Wheeler potted a total of 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) last season in 58 and 23 games with Boston and Atlanta, respectively.
According to sources, Wheeler will be a key addition onto Winnipeg’s roster as they begin their new and fresh journey into the NHL.
Brett Festerling, a 25-year-old defenseman from Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, has played three seasons in the NHL so far, but only appeared in a single game last season with Anaheim Ducks.
He was brought on to the Atlanta club before the trade deadline and continued to play with Atlanta’s minor league affiliate club in Chicago.
Riley Holzapfel is the only one out of the seven signed, to not have played a single NHL season as of yet.
The 22-year-old was drafted as the 43rd overall pick in round-two of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by Atlanta, but continued to play with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Chicago Wolves.
All players have something to give to the new NHL franchise, Winnipeg Jets, which is preparing itself for a spectacular major league entry.
The hype which has now become associated with Jets is unimaginable, thus the club will have to live up to expectations at all costs.
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