Jets Sign Shaw and Suess to AHL Deals

The Winnipeg Jets announced the signings of both Logan Shaw and CJ Suess to one year, two way contracts with an AAV of $700k in the NHL.

While it’s unlikely that either player will suit up for the Jets in the 2019-2020 season, both of them showcased their skills for the Moose last season and will look to do that again this year.

Initially drafted in round five of the 2014 draft, Suess has taken the long road to professional hockey. After getting drafted, he played four seasons in the NCAA at Minnesota State University (Mankato) before signing a deal to join the Moose for the 2018-2019 season. Suess impressed at training camp last season and was able to secure a spot with the Moose for the year. He had a really strong start to the season as he put up 12 points in 26 games as a rookie skater. Unfortunately, his season got derailed in December as he went down with an upper body injury which sidelined him for the rest of the season.

It doesn’t seem that Suess has any chance to make the Jets this next season, but if he keeps progressing he could potentially turn into a bottom six centre at the NHL level before his career is over.

While Logan Shaw is only two years older that Suess, they have taken very different paths to get to where they are today. Shaw came into the NHL during the 2015-16 season after playing two full years with the San Antonio Rampage in the AHL. He played in Florida one season before moving to Anaheim for the following two years. He bounced between the NHL and AHL, but managed to play over 40 NHL games every season since coming into the league. That all changed in 2018-19 as he was let go by the Flames following a PTO in training camp. The Jets signed him as a free agent to a two way deal and sent him to the Moose.

Upon arriving in Manitoba, Shaw put together a really strong season. He had 27 goals and 19 assists in only 63 games for the Moose. That put him behind only Seth Griffith for the team lead in points. It appears the Jets have very few empty spots on their roster, so Shaw will likely spend another season in the AHL. However, should injuries arise, he might be the player who gets called up with his NHL experience and strong AHL play.

While neither player is likely going to make an impact with the Jets next season, they are both smart additions to the Moose that will increase the depth of the organization.