The Winnipeg Jets have checked most of the boxes on their offseason to-do list
in regards to restricted free agents. They';ve agreed to a long-term contract
with Vezina-nominated goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, locked up terrific
team-first forward Adam Lowry for the next three years, and retained spark-plug
 fourth-liner Brandon Tanev for another year. In addition, Tucker Poolman,
Marko Dano, and Nic Petan will be rejoining the squad for 2018-19.

There';s one box that';s still empty, though, and it';s a big one. Top-pairing
defenseman Josh Morrissey still needs a new contract.Morrissey';s Morphed into
Big-Time Blue-Liner

Morrissey is coming off the best season of his three-year NHL career. He';s
adapted quickly to the NHL game, and at just 24 years old, is already one of
the Jets'; elite defensemen. In 2017-18, he patrolled the left-side of top-line
 shutdown pairing, flanked by fellow 24-year-old Jacob Trouba, who patrolled
the right.

Spent the day studying Winnipeg's defense pairs in last night's series opening
win. I don't think we spend enough time talking about how good Josh Morrissey
is.

- Murat (@WPGMurat) April 12, 2018

Morrissey logged an average of 20:27 per game and was plus-15 despite regularly
 facing other teams'; top guns. He also blocked 168 shots - most on the Jets -
and dished out 139 hits - good for third. He was also durable, playing 81
games.

He also teased his offensive ability, setting new career highs in goals and
assists with seven and 19, respectively.

Overall, it was an impressive campaign that showed exactly why the Jets drafted
 him 13th overall back in 2013 and regard him as one of the cornerstones to
build their back end around.How Long and How Much?

We';re into August and some fans are getting understandably antsy - especially
after the whole Trouba arbitration situation - for the 24-year-old Morrissey
to sign on the dotted line.

"All is currently quiet on the Morrissey front," Winnipeg Free
Press sportswriter Mike McIntyre wrote recently. "His agent, Gerry Johannson,
 did not return messages on Tuesday (July 31) seeking an update."It';s more of
a matter of how long and how much for John Morrissey, rather than if he will
re-sign. (Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports)

However, those starting to get concerned can take a chill pill. When
discussing a Morrissey contract, it';s not so much a matter of if, but a matter
 of how long and how much.

It';s a near guarantee Morrissey will be in a Jets'; jersey at the start of the
 2018-19 season. He has no arbitration rights and there';s no indication of any
 tension or dissension between Johannson and Jets'; general manager Kevin
Cheveldayoff.Is a Bridge Deal the Best Option?

"To bridge or not to bridge, that is the question," wrote The Winnipeg Sun
sportswriter Ken Wiebe.

One option is to ink Morrissey to a contract similar to the one Trouba signed
in 2016 that ended his infamous holdout many haven';t forgotten. In that case,
 Morrissey would likely earn somewhere around six million over the two years.

It';s no secret the Jets are rising ever-closer to the salary-cap ceiling and
will have to make tough decisions regarding personnel sooner rather than later.

"The benefit for the Jets is that they'd have Morrissey under contract for the
next two seasons at a number between $3 and $3.5 million, at a time when
they're facing a particular cap crunch," Wiebe wrote.

Even though a bridge deal might be quicker to strike, with recent developments,
 it doesn';t appear to be the best choice.The Case for a Long-Term Contract for
 Morrissey

What the Jets should do is try to lock up Morrissey to a long-term,
six-to-eight-year contract that ensures he';s on their side as he enters his
prime.What the Jets should be looking to do is to lock up Josh Morrissey to a
deal in the 6 to 8 year range. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Any cap relief that would come from a Morrissey bridge deal would be temporary
and stop-gap, like filling potholes on a road that needs to be completely
ripped up and replaced. A bridge deal wouldn';t make a significant impact on
the Jets'; ability to retain other players after the 2018-19 season.

Another added factor since Wiebe wrote his piece in mid-July is the tenuous
Trouba situation - even with the help of an arbitrator, the two sides failed to
 come to a long-term agreement. With Trouba';s future with the Jets shaky at
best and the relationship between him and Jets'; management becoming
increasingly strained, the importance of defensive stability has risen
exponentially.

#NHLJets attention now turns to Josh Morrissey. A bridge seems likely, but with
 the uncertainty of Jacob Trouba's future, perhaps Kevin Cheveldayoff tries to
sign Morrissey long-term now.

- Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) July 24, 2018

Another factor is the to-do list Kevin Cheveldayoff will have to tackle next
summer, one that will be even longer than this summer';s list. Captain Blake
Wheeler, high-skill forward Kyle Connor, and Finnish phenom Patrik Laine are
all set for extensions, and all three will be looking to cash in big.

Signing Morrissey to a long-term deal this summer would be a good head start
for Cheveldayoff and give him one less thing to worry about next summer as he
negotiates with some of his most important players. It would also give a more
accurate picture of how much funds he truly has in his attempt to retain those
players.How a Long-Term Deal Could Look

There a number of contracts teams have struck lately with comparable defensemen
 - in age, production, and role - one can expect a Morrissey deal would closely
 mirror.

One comparable is the Florida Panthers'; Mike Matheson, who signed an
eight-year deal last October worth nearly $5 million annually. Matheson, like
Morrissey, is 24 years old and a first-round pick. He produced 27 points in his
 2017-18 campaign and logged an average of 21:20 per game.A long-term deal for
Morrissey would likely be similar in term and dollars to Mike Matheson';s. (Bob
 DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

Another is the New York Rangers'; Brady Skjei, who was recently handed a
six-year contract worth $5.25 million annually. Skjei, like Morrissey and
Matheson, is also 24 years old and a first-round pick. He produced 25 points
last season, logged just over 21 minutes per game, and was healthy the entire
year.Another comparable contract is that of the New York Ranger';s Brady Skjei.
 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Morrissey has the leg-up on Matheson and Skjei and in a couple key categories,
though. He had a better plus/minus than the other two, along with more hits and
 blocked shots.

The Matheson contract may be slightly on the low side money-wise - for what
Morrissey brings to the table, getting him for under five million would be a
steal.

Giving Morrissey a contract identical to Skjei';s would likely satisfy both
sides. However, that comes with the caveat that we aren';t privy to the
negotiations that have undoubtedly been going on unbeknownst to us. Morrissey
and the Jets have been tight-lipped so far this offseason - their negotiations
haven';t hit the ears of the public like the Trouba dealings, a simple
byproduct of no arbitration hearings.

The Jets would likely be willing to pay five million a year, or thereabouts, to
 keep Morrissey around through the mid-2020s. They only offered Trouba four
million, but that was an intentional, strategic lowball. They';ll pay Trouba
$5.5 million next season, and will have to pay more than that if they want him
to stick around, so why would Trouba';s partner, who plays just as a big a
role, deserve any less?

Morrissey is someone the Jets can count on and someone they must build around.
The sooner they can get him off the to-do list and onto the long-term "done"
list, the better.

The post Jets Wise to Sign Morrissey Long Term appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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