Zach Bogosian Saving The Best For Last

RFA Defenceman Zach Bogosian is the last of the “Big Three” to sign ….

With the signing of RFA Right Winger Blake Wheeler, on Friday night that leaves Defenceman Zach Bogosian as the last piece of the puzzle to be signed. Bogosian’s arbitration hearing is set for for Aug. 2 but I don’t believe it will get to that point. Based on the contracts that fellow Jet RFA’s Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler just signed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zach Bogosian sign an 8 year deal at approx 6 million per season.

Is Zach Bogosian the Jets #1 defemceman

Is it a coincidence that Bogo was left until the end? IMO it wasn’t. Now, I’m not sure if it would have been Bogosians agent that wanted to wait and see what Wheeler and Little signed for first or if Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wanting to see what the Winnipeg market could bare.

I believe he got his answer in spades. Right now, Winnipeg is going to have to pay its players to stay here. The underlying good news is that this might pay dividends down the road. Don’t think that other teams, players and agents aren’t taking notice. It looks like the Winnipeg Jets aren’t going to be the farm team for the big bad eastern money spending mongers.

“Better The Devil You Know”

Will the Winnipeg Jets ever sign big name free agents from other organisations? I doubt it. I think the Jets organisation is willing to develop their own stars and pay them when the time comes. For lack of a better analogy, how about saying “Better the devil you know” Right? At least, there is no mystery and you know what you are paying for.

TNSE and Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is showing they aren’t afraid to buy a players UFA years now and wrap them up at what might be a lower than market value in those years. In theory, that is a sound plan but there are no guarantees and it is a tad risky. Yes, I just said tad. Unfortunately, that is the price of doing business in today’s NHL and especially in Winnipeg.

Until this franchise develops a winning tradition and thus becoming a desirable destination, there won’t be any hometown discounts. Pay Baby Pay!!!