Stanley happy to sign deal, looking forward to 2021-22

WINNIPEG - A couple quick phone calls and the deal was done.
"It was a fairly simple deal, I left most of it to my agent," said Stanley.
"He had called and said, 'this is what (the Jets) have offered you, do you want to take it?' And I was more than happy to."

The Winnipeg Jets signed Stanley earlier this week on Aug. 4 to a two-year agreement with an average annual value of $900,000. The contract was the defenceman's first since signing his rookie deal back in late 2016. Stanley maintains his restricted free agent status when the deal expires in 2023.
"I just wanted to come back and be with the Jets for two more years. I was very happy to say, 'yes' and stay in Winnipeg," said Stanley from his off-season home of Waterloo, ON.

Following an impactful first NHL season for the 2016 first rounder, there was uncertainty heading into the summer. With the Seattle expansion draft looming and only so many protection spots, many thought Stanley could be on his way to the Kraken. But the team protected the 23-year-old, eventually losing forward Mason Appleton in the process.
"That was cool. I wanted to stay in Winnipeg. I want to play for the Jets. I love it there," said Stanley.
"To know that I wasn't going anywhere and wasn't able to be picked up was a really good feeling and a relief that I knew I was staying in Winnipeg."
In his first season with the Jets, Stanley burst onto the scene after an impressive training camp. The 6'7" blueliner made his NHL debut on Jan. 18 in Toronto, playing 11:19 and registering three shots on goal. He went on to skate in 37 games, notching three assists, scoring one goal (Mar. 27 @ CGY) and finishing with 63 shots - fourth amongst Jets' defencemen. Stanley also played in all eight of Winnipeg's playoff games and scored twice in Game 4 vs. Montreal.
"In the moment, it was nice - but we lost so it didn't really mean too much," recalled Stanley.
"Looking back on (scoring two playoff goals) now, scoring on Carey Price in the playoffs and then being able to get a second one was pretty cool."

In his exit meetings before the summer, Stanley says the feelings between he and the team were mutual - it was a great start, but there is more to give.
"I had good conversations with (Kevin Cheveldayoff & Paul Maurice)," said Stanley.
"They both said, 'now the work is just beginning, people have expectations for you and that there is a long way to go'. The message was just to work hard in the summer, come back in shape again and get ready to go for next season."
When camp begins in the fall the team's defence will have a different look, with new faces like Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt entering the picture. The fresh additions have Stanley excited to get things rolling.
"I think it's exciting times," said Stanley.
"Those are two great players that are going to help our hockey team win games. I was happy when I saw that they both came, they both bring a little bit of a different element and I think they're going to fit in really well with our d-core."
Given the shorter off-season there isn't much time between the end of last season and the start of 2021-22. Outside of spending time with family and hitting the links on occasion, Stanley has been hard at work - skating with a group on NHL'ers in Ontario, including Jets centre, Mark Scheifele.
"We've got a really good group here," said Stanley.
"It's going really good. I'm doing a lot of the same stuff as I did last year because I think it definitely helped me going into camp and how I felt on the ice so I'm doing a lot of the same stuff and skating lots. I'm excited for next season and just trying to go back in good shape."