Jets agree to deal with forward Evander Kane

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) The Winnipeg Jets agreed to a contract with restricted free-agent forward Evander Kane on Saturday night, about 30 minutes before the NHL's collective bargaining agreement expired.

Terms of the deal weren't closed.

The 21-year-old Kane has 30 goals and 27 assists in 74 games last season. He has 63 goals and 63 assists in 213 games in three seasons with the Atlanta-Winnipeg franchise.

"Obviously, very excited about it," Kane said. "I'm grateful that the Winnipeg Jets took that leap of faith and make that kind of commitment. I think obviously you want to get a deal done as soon as possible, but things like this take time and it came up to the very last hour to get a deal done. Better late than never."

Updated September 16, 2012