2017 has been quite a busy year in the hockey world. There have been several big trades, the first expansion team in over 15 years, and much more. Over the coming days, PHR will take a look back at the top stories from around the game on a month-by-month basis. Next up is a look at the relatively slow month of August.
Post-Graduate Studies: After the frenzy that is the beginning of July, by August the free agent market had slowed down considerably. There were a few interesting names left over, but the real intrigue surrounded expiring draft rights for NCAA graduates. Will Butcher and Alex Kerfoot led the way, with near daily visits and rumors around the league. Butcher would eventually sign with the New Jersey Devils, while Kerfoot would head to Denver for some Avalanche action. The Devils are certainly happy with Butcher’s choice, as he’s recorded 23 points in 36 games to easily pace their defense corps.
Captains Say Goodbye: Though it may not have been completely their decision, both Shane Doan and Mike Fisher hung up their skates in August. The two combined for 1,728 regular season games without winning a Stanley Cup, but were both beloved in their respective “non-traditional markets.”
AHL Expansion: The AHL announced that it would follow in the NHL’s footsteps and expand to 31 teams in 2018-19, bringing the Colorado Eagles into the fold. The Eagles, who are still currently an ECHL team, will be the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche after some reshuffling next season. It could be a pretty smooth exit for them, who are looking like a real contender to win a second consecutive Kelly Cup. After sweeping South Carolina in the finals last season, the Eagles are sitting at 21-5-4 and first place in the entire league this time around.
Murray Passes At 74: The hockey world suffered quite a loss on August 12th, when long-time coach and executive Bryan Murray died following a long battle with cancer. Part of quite a successful hockey family that also includes former head coach Terry Murray (brother) and former Buffalo GM Tim Murray (nephew), Bryan had a long list of accomplishments in the NHL. He won the Jack Adams trophy as Coach of the Year in 1983-84, and Executive of the Year 1996. He was instrumental in building winning franchises in Detroit, Florida, Anaheim and Ottawa, and was one of the most well respected men among NHL front offices.
$68MM For #29: After locking up Connor McDavid for another eight seasons, the Edmonton Oilers quickly went to work on a new contract for Leon Draisaitl. Though he was only just hitting restricted free agency, the team decided to offer an eight-year deal worth $68MM to ensure Draisaitl would be there for all of his prime years. Combined, the pair will carry a $21MM cap hit for nearly a decade, a number that is difficult to work around—though not impossible, as the Chicago Blackhawks have proven.
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