The Winnipeg Jets have secured defenseman Dylan Samberg with a five-year contract extension, carrying an annual cap hit of $5.75 million. This deal will keep the 26-year-old on the roster through the 2029-30 NHL season, cementing his role as a vital member of the Jets’ defensive lineup following a strong 2024-25 season.
In the previous season, Samberg appeared in 60 regular-season games, tallying six goals and 14 assists for a career-high 20 points. He posted an impressive plus-minus rating of +34 while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Samberg also led the Jets by blocking 120 shots and delivering 56 hits, showcasing his physicality on defense. During the playoffs, he contributed three assists across 13 games before the Jets were ousted by the Dallas Stars.
Drafted 43rd overall in 2017, Samberg has developed into a reliable top-four defenseman since debuting in the NHL in 2021. His pairing with fellow defenseman Neil Pion proved formidable, spending 710 minutes together over 48 games while on the ice for 36 goals—outperforming notable duos like Vegas’s Hanifin-Pietrangelo and Minnesota’s Farber-Middleton. As Samberg enters his prime, the Jets aim to capitalize on their strong defensive unit to continue their winning streak and contend for a third straight season as the league’s best defense.
Additionally, insider reports suggest the Jets are in a more favorable position regarding Kyle Connor compared to their past situation with Nicolaj Ehlers, indicating positive developments for the team’s forward lineup.
Fan Take: Locking down Dylan Samberg long-term is a smart move for the Jets, as his defensive grit and consistent play are key to maintaining one of the league’s strongest blue lines. For hockey fans, this contract signals Winnipeg’s commitment to building a formidable, balanced team that could challenge deep into future playoffs, raising the excitement around their sustained competitiveness.
