While they ultimately agreed on a one-year deal, the Coyotes and winger Anthony Duclair did discuss multi-year agreements, reports Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic. However, given Duclair’s struggles last season that saw him record just five goals in 58 games, this contract made a lot of sense and GM John Chayka likes the message that it sends.
“I think that’s a good lesson for all players coming off their entry-level deal. If they want term and dollar, that’s available to them but they have to perform. And if they don’t perform, then they’re going to have to earn it. That’s how we’re going to operate moving forward.”
McLellan also reports the team has extended a couple of PTO offers although none have been accepted just yet. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them add a blueliner for training camp with Jakob Chychrun still not being able to skate for a while yet.
Other news from around the hockey world:
- While it had been speculated that the Bruins would show some interest in bringing back winger Drew Stafford, Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe notes that Boston never engaged in serious talks to re-sign him. Stafford settled for a one-year, $800K contract with the Devils late last month.
- Although he announced his retirement last week, former Coyote Shane Doan is still on the radar for Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics, head coach Willie Desjardins told CBC’s Devin Heroux. Doan does have experience playing at that level as he was part of the Canadian entry back in 2006. However, it stands to reason that he would have to be playing somewhere for him to really garner serious consideration for a roster spot and at age 40, it’s far from a given that he’d go overseas to play for a few months primarily to keep him in the mix for the Olympics.