The Winnipeg Jets have plucked a free agent off the market before it opens on Wednesday.
The Jets have signed one of their own, winger Drew Stafford to a two-year deal worth $8.7 million contract. That makes the average annual value (cap hit) $4.35 million.
The 29-year-old Milwaukee-born left-winger had 18 goals in 76 regular season games last year, split between the hapless Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets, who acquired him in early February.
He was due to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
Stafford had nine goals in 26 games for the Jets after last season's trade, 19 points in total, then had a goal and two points in the team’s short playoff series against Anaheim.