Winnipeg Jets’ Cole Perfetti embracing bigger expectations after signing long-term deal

Cole Perfetti has secured his financial future by signing a five-year, US$30 million contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets, a deal that signifies a significant raise and comes with elevated expectations.

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That’s my expectation, is to take another big leap and another step. The management has, obviously, put that faith in me. Now it’s my job to go out there and play and live up to those expectations and I’m very excited for that.

The 24-year-old forward, who was making US$3.25 million over the last two seasons, will be under contract through the 2030-31 campaign. "That’s my expectation, is to take another big leap and another step," Perfetti stated. "The management has, obviously, put that faith in me. Now it’s my job to go out there and play and live up to those expectations and I’m very excited for that."

The timing of the agreement allowed both Perfetti and the Jets to avoid a potentially contentious salary arbitration hearing. Instead of facing arbitration on Monday, Perfetti celebrated the news with teammates at captain Adam Lowry’s wedding over the weekend. "Perfect timing, I guess you could say," he remarked. "It was great to see (my teammates) and they were obviously super happy, super supportive."

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Perfect timing, I guess you could say. It was great to see (my teammates) and they were obviously super happy, super supportive.

Perfetti also conveyed his affection for the city and the organization. "We love being in Winnipeg, being in Canada, being part of the organization," he added. He has become a key player in the team's top-six forward group, primarily playing on the second line for the past four seasons. His career stats include 59 goals and 98 assists in 290 regular-season games, plus six points in 14 playoff appearances.

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We love being in Winnipeg, being in Canada, being part of the organization.

Perfetti's 2024-25 season was his most productive offensively, with 18 goals and 50 points in 82 games. However, a high-ankle sprain in the preseason hampered his 2025-26 performance, limiting him to 12 goals and 32 points in 68 games. He acknowledged the mental challenge of playing for a new contract during a down year, noting that two of the last three years have been contract years. "It’s not the easiest thing mentally, so now to be able to just kind of settle in for five years, dig my roots in and be able to just go be the person and player that I know I can be is really relaxing for me a little bit," he said.

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It’s not the easiest thing mentally, so now to be able to just kind of settle in for five years, dig my roots in and be able to just go be the person and player that I know I can be is really relaxing for me a little bit.