With Dylan Samberg’s arbitration hearing coming up on July 30th, both he and the Winnipeg Jets have filed their salary numbers—and there’s a pretty big gap between the two sides.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Samberg is asking for a one-year, $6 million contract, while the Jets have countered at $2.5 million. That’s a $3.5 million gap. While it seems like the sides are far apart, there’s still time to strike a deal before heading to arbitration.

If it does head to a hearing, Samberg will only be eligible for a one-year deal. Since he’s 26 and set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, any arbitration ruling would just walk him right to free agency.

The Saginaw, Michigan product is coming off a solid season with Winnipeg, putting up career highs across the board. He scored six goals and added 14 assists for 20 points in 63 games—pretty good considering he missed 22 games with a broken foot. He averaged just over 21 minutes a night and played a key role on the penalty kill.

Samberg’s become a reliable presence on the back end, and with another step forward, he could cement himself as a top-four defenceman for years to come. Drafted 43rd overall by the Jets in 2017, he’s grown into his role gradually and was a steady piece of the team’s blue line throughout the 2024-25 season.

Right now, Samberg is the final restricted free agent the Jets need to sign. Of the 11 players who filed for arbitration this offseason, only he and Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs are still without contracts.

Whether they get a deal done before July 30th or leave it up to an arbitrator, the Jets and Samberg are heading toward a big decision—one that could shape their blue line for the next few years.