When his name appeared on today’s waiver list, it was clear that Frederik Gauthier had done enough to earn an NHL contract with the Arizona Coyotes. The big forward had been attending camp on a professional tryout but has now signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team. Though the team did not release the financial details, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports it is worth $700K at the NHL level and $150K in the AHL.
Gauthier, 25, became an unrestricted free agent this offseason when the Toronto Maple Leafs decided not to issue him a qualifying offer as an RFA. The 2013 first-round pick never did develop much of an offensive game, but has still played 168 games at the NHL level and is a capable fourth-line center. Standing 6’5″ and listed at 239-lbs, he offers some size and strength to the bottom of the depth chart—though has been criticized in the past for not using his large frame effectively enough.
It’s unlikely that Gauthier dresses for every game this season, but he can serve as a nice taxi squad member to move in and out of the lineup when necessary. His career-high of seven goals game in 61 games last season and he has registered 31 points in his NHL career.