NHL insider Darren Dreger has reported that the Jets and their captain, Adam Lowry, are getting close to a contract extension to keep him in town long-term. The Winnipeg Jets welcomed back their captain, Adam Lowry, on <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-jets-star-set-for-long-awaited-season-debut-vs-kings-after-offseason-surgery' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tuesday night for his long-awaited season debut.</a> He returned to action while facing an uncertain contract future, at least for now. That uncertainty might not last long. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the <a href='https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/jets-getting-closer-to-contract-extension-with-captain-lowry/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Jets and Lowry are closing in on a new contract extension</a>. His current five-year, $16.25 million deal is set to expire in July, but both sides appear motivated to keep the captain in Winnipeg long-term. Yeah, it's such a great boost for the Winnipeg Jets and the city of Winnipeg to get their captain, Adam Lowry, back in the mix. It's also been a priority for a long, long time by the organization to get Lowry locked up longer term, Dreger explained on Insider Trading. We know that once Kyle Connor extended with the Jets last month that the contract focus very quickly shifted over to Lowry. Both the team and the player are super motivated to get something done. It's not quite there yet, but it's getting closer, and having him back on the ice there is a big step in that direction. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/theScore/status/1985867155595018324'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TSNHockey/status/1985849887770939768'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Lowry was eased back into action following offseason hip surgery, logging 14:08 of ice time in the Jets' 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. <h3>Despite Adam Lowry not recording a point in his debut, his physical presence was definitely felt</h3> The 32-year-old center did not record a point in his return, but brought a physical presence and leadership stability to a night that saw the Jets struggle offensively. Lowry supplied 16 goals and 18 assists in 73 games last season while playing a major two-way role down the middle. Picked in the third round by Winnipeg in 2011, he was named team captain heading into the 2023-24 season and helped lead the Jets to a Presidents' Trophy-winning season with 116 points. In 776 career NHL games, all with Winnipeg, Lowry has tallied 121 goals and 273 points, making him one of the most respected players in franchise history. With Lowry re-signed, the Jets would be continuing their trend of long-term stability, with key players Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi, Neal Pionk, and Connor Hellebuyck signed through at least 2030-31. Locking up their captain sends a clear message about the Winnipeg Jets' commitment to their core and belief that last season was not a fluke. More to the point, for a team built on loyalty and internal growth, it feels like the next natural step in keeping Lowry in the fold.