Jets GM says team will match any offer sheets on Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor

Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has made it a major priority to bring back not just Patrik Laine, but Kyle Connor back this offseason. And he also has a message for other teams interested in their services: don’t waste your time with offer sheets, because they plan on matching anything thrown at those two players.

“I think you look at all the situations and determine it, but certainly it would be our intention to match, and you’ve got the summer to figure it out,” said Cheveldayoff.

Laine, 21, was initially selected 2nd overall by the Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft. Despite a year of ups-and-downs, he still managed to amass 30 goals and 20 assists in 82 games this past season, and has averaged just under 37 goals and over 61 points per season in his NHL career. He also has an NHL All-Star selection under his belt.

Connor, 22, has amassed 67 goals and 61 assists over a span of 178 games and three seasons in the NHL. The 2015 first round pick is coming off a career season where he posted 34 goals and 66 points in 82 games.