Without even an addition, the Central Division just got mightier.

The Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche - the two midwest clubs that failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs - locked up stars in succession late Friday afternoon with team-friendly agreements that will assist in closing the gap.

Here are some thoughts on both deals:

Scheifele agrees to 8-year, $49-milllion extension

In placing a max-term investment in their current and future No. 1 center, the Jets have managed to keep the price point low on a player already beginning to perform beyond what's expected from a $6-million-plus player.

Scheifele was one of the most dominant offensive forces in the latter portion of last season. He racked up more points than any player over the final six-plus weeks, and after Bryan Little's injury saw him promoted to the top line with Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Reaching his potential in the final season of his entry-level term, Scheifele led the team with 29 goals. And while he placed a distant second to Wheeler in total points, he led Winnipeg in even-strength production rate, ranking among the league's very best.

There are 20 centers that take up a bigger slab of the pie next year, and many more to follow as Scheifele plays out his prime years in a Jets sweater. The deal should see Kevin Cheveldayoff recouping value throughout.

Avs lock up MacKinnon with 7-year, $44.1-million pact

Moments later, the Avalanche committed fewer total dollars and less term, but a greater portion of their annual payroll to Nathan MacKinnon, making the former No. 1 overall selection the team's highest-paid player annually.

MacKinnon's entry-level trajectory doesn't reveal the same building progress; his most productive season was his Calder Trophy-winning campaign. But throughout his first three seasons, he was the more impactful scorer at 0.7 points per contest.

It's a bit of a wonder why an eighth year wasn't thrown in, given MacKinnon's age and the already significant investment, but it will increase his chances of fetching a second lucrative long-term contract in his career. He'll hit the market at 27 in his retaining one additional unrestricted season.

MacKinnon has superstar potential, but situational and environmental factors have contributed to him having failed to drive his price into that elite tier. For that reason, it's a safe bet he'll be more than a $6.3-million contributor for a significant portion, if not his entire, seven-year deal.

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