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Slater admits contract talks haven’t ‘picked up’ with Jets

Winnipeg Jets v St Louis Blues

Winnipeg Jets v St Louis Blues

NHLI via Getty Images

When you think of the Winnipeg Jets, Jim Slater likely doesn’t come to mind. Heck, track pants might come up in your head sooner than his name.

Even so, he’s the longest tenured member of the team, as his days stretch back to the 2005-06 season when the Jets were the Atlanta Thrashers. The unrestricted free agent isn’t sure if his run will come to an end this offseason, as he told the Winnipeg Sun that not a whole lot is happening in general regarding contract talks.

“For me, things haven’t picked up right now,” Slater said last week. “Most teams are waiting for the draft to see and Winnipeg is no different. After the draft and with that window on June 25, we can start talking to other teams. Hopefully on July 1, I’ll have a contract and be playing in the NHL for another couple of years.”

The 32-year-old managed to play a career-high 82 games in the regular season and also appeared in every game during Winnipeg’s “close sweep” at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.

Despite being a first-rounder (30th overall in 2002), Slater seems like an energy guy at best at the NHL level.

His efforts have likely been appreciated by the Jets franchise, yet it wouldn’t be outrageous to imagine them moving on in 2015-16. We’ll likely find out around July either way.