The 32-year-old Little has been with the franchise since his first NHL season in 2007-08. He's played 843 games and has racked up 521 points in that time. But more than that, he's one of the original group of players that came from Atlanta when the team relocated in 2011 and embraced the city of Winnipeg.
"He's a special person and has been a part of our family," said Cheveldayoff. "He came over from Atlanta, really planted roots here in Winnipeg. When it came time to resign and just loves the city, loves being a part of this organization."
Cheveldayoff didn't want to discuss what impact the most recent news about Little could have on the team's salary cap going into the 2020-21 campaign, other than to say Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) could become an option.
LTIR gives teams a certain amount of relief on the salary cap depending on how close they are to the $81.5 million cap.
"It really doesn't become applicable until the season starts," said Cheveldayoff. "There are lots of intricacies in the CBA for when you become an LTI team over the course of the entire season."
ICE CHIPS
In addition to signing Nathan Beaulieu to a two-year deal earlier in the day, Cheveldayoff brought back another familiar face on the blue line by inking Luca Sbisa to a one-year, $800,000 contract.
"He's a guy that came in and really helped us during a tough period of time," said Cheveldayoff. "A real good veteran, a real good pro."
The Jets claimed the 30-year-old defenceman (who was 29 at the time) off waivers on Oct. 23, 2019, a time where the Jets had injuries on the blue line along with the losses of veterans Tyler Myers, Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Chiarot, and Jacob Trouba.
Sbisa scored twice and had 10 points in 44 games with the Jets last season. Bringing back Sbisa became even more necessary after the Jets lost Carl Dahlstrom to the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade for Paul Stastny.
"Luca gives us great flexibility to kind of go in multiple different directions if we want to choose to do that," said Cheveldayoff. "Someone that behind the scenes really works hard and is there for whatever role we need him to play."
With Friday being just the first day of Free Agency, Cheveldayoff said the process of trying to add pieces to spots he thinks will improve the team won't stop anytime soon.
"We're going to continue to look and see the options to improve or upgrade our defence," said Cheveldayoff. "I think there are lots of conversations out there still that we're in to see if that's a possibility."
