Report: Jets & Evander Kane close to 6-year deal

Restricted free agent forward Evander Kane and the Winnipeg Jets are reportedly close to agreeing on a long-term contract that could be as long as a six-year deal, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

Kane, a fourth overall draft pick in 2009, will be entering into his fourth NHL season. At just 20 years old, Kane represents the greatest scoring threat on the Jets. In the 2011-12 season, Kane led the Jets in goals with 30 and finished second in points with 58.

There are no details on the financial terms of Kane's contract, but he is expected to earn a similar figure to that of John Tavares of the New York Islanders and Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tavares is on a six-year, $33 million deal, with a $5.5 million cap hit, while Kessel is on a five-year, $27 million deal with a $5.4 million cap hit.

In their first season in Winnipeg, since moving from Atlanta, the Jets finished with a 37-35-10 record.