Everybody wins in Trouba signing, even if future's unclear

At last, a resolution. Sort of.

Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets suddenly agreed to a two-year bridge deal Monday, putting a (possibly temporary) end to the trade demands the 22-year-old made prior to the season.

Trouba, a restricted free agent, signed for $6 million, but is eligible to sign an extension as soon as July 1.

The term and value of the contract is a huge win for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff - something he's become accustomed to during his tenure in the Jets' front office - as he's retained a young, top-four defender at a markdown.

Trouba's quarrel with Winnipeg was based on an inability to play his natural right-handed side, but injuries have created an opportunity there - one that's up to him to seize.

The Jets have skated to a 5-7-1 record with Trouba sidelined, but one can't help but wonder: Why waste a month of your season to sign a new deal beneath market value? Isn't playing top minutes, on your preferred side or not, better than isolated workouts away from your team?

One possibility is a sign-and-trade, as his discounted rate will surely spark the interest of a bevy of teams around the league. The other scenario - the one that makes less sense after this entire ordeal - is that Trouba came to grips with the fact that one of the youngest, most up-and-coming teams in the league wants him somewhere on its blue line for more than 20 minutes a night.

The entire saga between Trouba and the Jets is reminiscent of Kyle Turris' feud with the Coyotes. Turris - a first-round pick of the club - wanted out, and was traded to Ottawa shortly after signing a new contract as an RFA.

However this plays out, it's clear the Jets weren't going to be strong-armed into meeting Trouba's demands before rightfully closing a deal for themselves. He's their property, after all.

But having Trouba in the lineup immediately benefits both sides. He stabilizes Winnipeg's blue line while simultaneously maximizing his personal value in the eyes of the franchise that drafted him, as well as for inquiring teams.

The story has yet to be completed, but both the Jets and Trouba have to consider Monday's signing a positive chapter.