The Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Dylan Samberg to a three-year contract worth $5.75 million per season, avoiding arbitration just hours before his scheduled hearing Wednesday.
Samberg was a restricted free agent heading into his final year before unrestricted free agency. The 26-year-old defenseman filed for $6 million in arbitration while the Jets countered at $2.5 million.
He would’ve only been eligible for a one-year deal through arbitration since he’s one year away from UFA status.
Samberg played 21:08 per game last season across 60 appearances, establishing himself as a top-four defenseman for Winnipeg. The 6-foot-4 blue-liner managed 20 points but played a key role in the Jets allowing the fewest goals in the league.
His defensive impact showed up in advanced metrics too.
Samberg led the team with 120 blocked shots and ranked second among all NHL defensemen in Evolving-Hockey‘s goals above replacement metric at 18.9. He averaged 24:04 per game in 13 playoff appearances, second-most on the Jets.
Dylan Samberg, signed 3x$5.8M by WPG, is a two-way puck-moving defenceman who combines strong defensive play with great passing ability, making clean transition plays while avoiding turnovers. #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/kFl5Fc1zCI
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 30, 2025
The deal locks up Winnipeg’s top defensive core through at least 2027-28. Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo are both signed through that season, while Samberg’s primary partner Neal Pionk just started a six-year contract.
Winnipeg has $4.79 million in remaining cap space after the signing.
The Jets selected Samberg in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He’s recorded 51 points in 216 career games across four seasons with the organization.
