Jets sign Pionk to 2-year, $6M deal

The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with defenseman Neal Pionk on a two-year contract worth $6 million, the team announced Sunday.

The Jets acquired the 23-year-old earlier this offseason in the trade that sent Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers. Winnipeg also received a 2019 first-round pick in the deal, which they used to select defenseman Ville Heinola.

Pionk appeared in 73 games for the Rangers in 2018-19, scoring six goals and adding 20 assists while averaging over 21 minutes per contest. He also threw 138 hits and blocked 98 shots.

With Pionk signed, the Jets have just over $20 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly. Key restricted free agents Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Andrew Copp are all still in need of new deals.

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