A couple interesting signings were made on Thursday. Let’s take a look, shall we?
After initially indicating that he was returning to the University of Minnesota, Logan Cooley had a change of heart and signed an entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes.
Cooley, who was taken with the third overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, enjoyed a successful freshman season with the Golden Gophers which saw him rack up 22 goals and 38 assists in 39 games. His 60 points were the second-highest in the nation behind Adam Fantilli’s 65. Apparently, attending development camp made Cooley realize he wanted to turn pro now.
I like this decision and that Cooley is not waiting until the end of the season to sign and quickly burn a year off his ELC. The Coyotes will get all three seasons of his first contract. Respect!
Check out Five For Howling for more on Cooley.
In Atlantic Division news, Vladimir Tarasenko finally has a new team and it’s the Ottawa Senators. Tarasenko’s new deal is for one year and will pay him $5 million.
Last season, the 31-year-old collected 18 goals and 32 assists in 69 games split between the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. He added three goals and one assist for the Broadway Blueshirts in the postseason.
According to reports, Tarasenko rebuffed a few teams, including the Panthers.
Vladimir Tarasenko rejected contract offers from the #Panthers, #Hurricanes, and #Sharks prior to signing with the #Senators in Ottawa. What an absolute batshit crazy move
— Richard B. Long (@intell911) July 28, 2023
We’ll see how that works out for him and the Senators. While I think the Panthers could use more skill and scoring, this isn’t really giving me the sads as I tend to think Tarasenko is a depreciating asset and that the Cats could add a little more offensive punch at a better value than $5 million if they so choose.
Visit our friends at Silver Seven Sens for more analysis.
Arbitration update
- Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) Hearing scheduled for July 30
- Trent Frederic (Boston Bruins) Hearing scheduled for August 1
- Ian Mitchell (Boston Bruins) re-signed on July 10
- Tanner Jeannot (Tampa Bay Lightning) re-signed on July 15
- Ilya Samsonov (Toronto Maple Leafs) Awarded new contract on July 23
- Tomo Meier (New Jersey Devils) re-signed on June 28
- Brandon Scanlin (New York Rangers) Hearing scheduled for August 4
- Noah Cates (Philadelphia Flyers) re-signed on July 10
- Drew O’Connor (Pittsburgh Penguins) Hearing scheduled for August 4
- Troy Terry (Anaheim Ducks) Hearing scheduled for August 2
- Jack McBain (Arizona Coyotes) Hearing scheduled for July 30
- Philipp Kurashev (Chicago Blackhawks) Awarded new contract on July 23
- Ross Colton (Colorado Avalanche) re-signed on July 17
- Ryan McLeod (Edmonton Oilers) Hearing scheduled for August 4
- Brandon Duhaime (Minnesota Wild) re-signed on July 16
- Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota Wild) Hearing scheduled for August 4
- Alexey Toropchenko (St. Louis Blues) re-signed on July 16
- Vince Dunn (Seattle Kraken) re-signed on July 21
- Cale Fleury (Seattle Kraken) re-signed on July 9
- Will Borgen (Seattle Kraken) re-signed on July 7
- Brett Howden (Vegas Golden Knights) re-signed on July 19
- Gabriel Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets) re-signed on July 19
- Morgan Barron (Winnipeg Jets) re-signed on July 17