UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on April 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The news broke this week that the Winnipeg Jets had avoided arbitration by signing Neal Pionk to a four-year, $23.5 million contract. With an Annual Average Value (AAV) of $5.875 million the deal can be expected to raise the ire of New York Rangers fans, compared to Jacob Trouba‘s $8 million AAV.
The arguments are easy to make. The Rangers traded Pionk and a first round draft pick for Trouba, a player who had made it clear he wanted out of Winnipeg.