Niederreiter Commits to Winnipeg Jets with a 3-year, $12 Million Contract

• NHL
• Nino Niederreiter
• Winnipeg Jets

Swiss-born forward Nino Niederreiter has signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets, with an average annual value of $4 million. The Contract will start from the forthcoming season, securing Niederreiter's position in the team for the next few years.

Niederreiter, who could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season, has been performing impressively with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 24 games. The 31-year-old forward expressed his contentment with the new Contract, "I'm thrilled to be here for another three years," Niederreiter said. "I think my agent did a good job, and I'm thrilled I'm here."

The Trade and Its Impact

The Jets acquired Niederreiter in a trade with the Nashville Predators on February 25 for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Jets captain Adam Lowry was pleased with Niederreiter's contract extension, saying, "Yeah, it's awesome news. I think it's good to know he'll be here and hopefully get the opportunity to play with him a lot more and continue building that chemistry." Lowry further praised Niederreiter as a "great fit" and "well-liked and respected" in the dressing room.

Niederreiter's Vision for Jets

Niederreiter believes the Jets have a strong future. After seeing franchise stalwarts goalie Connor Hellebuyck and forward Mark Scheifele sign long-term contracts during the offseason, he felt inspired to secure his future with the team. "It showed to the city and the team that they want to run here and be a contender," Niederreiter said. "I think that's where you want to be as a player. And once they signed, I tried to do whatever I could to play my best hockey and earn another contract, and now here I am, and I'm pretty happy about it."

Niederreiter's Contribution to the Jets' Success

With a 2-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, the Jets (14-8-2) moved within one point of second in the Central Division. Niederreiter sees the team as a "hard-working group" and appreciates the coach's straightforward approach. He believes in his role within the team and acknowledges the challenges of the long season ahead.

Niederreiter, the No. 5 pick by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Draft, has 423 points (211 goals, 212 assists) in 834 games for the Islanders, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Predators, and Jets. He also has 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 87 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Coach Rick Bowness praised Niederreiter's commitment to the team.

"He wants to be a Winnipeg Jet. We have a guy who could have played out the season, gone to unrestricted free agency, and seen what else was out there, other locations, other teams. Still, he wants to be a Winnipeg Jet."

Bowness also highlighted Niederreiter's versatility, competitiveness, and hard-working nature, calling him an "excellent Winnipeg Jet."