Fleury happy with security Jets offer with two-year deal

Haydn Fleury didn’t need to see what was out there on July 1.

The mobile defenceman had already made up his mind that he wasn’t interested in leaving the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night, he received an offer that ensured he didn’t have to lean into unrestricted free agency.

Fleury agreed to terms on Saturday to a two-year deal that carries an average annual value of $950,000, providing a slight bump in pay and some additional security with term as someone with a young family.

“Within the last week or so, we started talking and got to a number at one point (Friday) night where both sides felt comfortable,” Fleury said in a telephone interview on Saturday. “I’m happy to stay in Winnipeg and happy to build on what I did last year.

“Moving around a bit the past few years, it’s nice to get two years of security. I’m hoping that I found a home for the next couple and hopefully beyond that.”

Fleury, 28, was originally chosen seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014 and after bouncing around a bit, he signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Jets last July.

With injuries to Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley in training camp, Fleury found his footing and earned a spot in the opening-day lineup on the third pairing with Colin Miller.

When Dylan Samberg suffered a broken foot after blocking a slapshot from Steven Stamkos, Fleury was promoted to the second pair with Neal Pionk and even saw playing time in overtime on several occasions.

“I got some luck at the start of last season and took advantage of certain opportunities that came my way. From there, momentum started building for myself and it showed with a good playoff run,” said Fleury, who had seven assists in 39 games during the regular season. “It was an opportunity to show people what I can do. The coaches have laid out the foundation for me on how to make me a successful player. I’m going to keep building on that and keep getting better.”

Fleury, who is originally from Carlyle, Sask., suffered a knee injury on Dec. 23 in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and that impeded his momentum.

After recovering, Fleury needed some additional time to get up to speed but showed well during eight playoff games, the highlight being a 33-minute effort in Game 7 of the opening round series with the St. Louis Blues after Josh Morrissey was injured early in the first period.

“That injury was tough and came at an inopportune time. I thought I came back strong,” said Fleury. “When I’m looking back at the year, a lot of work culminated in that one game.”

Being part of the Manitoba Miracle was part of the reason Fleury chose to stick around.

“It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back. You saw the emotional toll it had on the city. You can tell that people care about hockey there and it’s a special place to play,” said Fleury. “My family and I really loved our time in Winnipeg. The group of guys we have, I was watching a documentary that the Jets put out about the playoffs and the stuff (Adam Lowry) was saying about us being a family, that all resonated with me and made me want to come back.

“I never really wanted to leave and I’m glad both sides could figure something out.”

By retaining Fleury, the Jets now have eight defencemen under contract who spent time in the NHL last season and Samberg will be the ninth once he signs a new deal.

That’s led to plenty of speculation that one of the veteran blue-liners could be on the move, especially since top prospect Elias Salomonsson could be knocking on the door after a strong first season in North America with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

While Fleury appreciates the security of a multiyear deal at this stage of his career, complacency isn’t about to set in. He’s got more that he’s hoping to accomplish.

“A lot of people doubted me for a couple of years there and I’m glad I could prove people wrong,” said Fleury. “The biggest thing is don’t take a step back, take two steps forward and just keep going

He’s also excited to see what Winnipegger and former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is going to bring to the group.

“It’s going to be really cool to play with a guy I grew up watching, whether it be at world juniors or winning Stanley Cups in Chicago,” said Fleury. “He’s a legend of the game.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld