Gary A&interval; Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
One week in the past, the Anaheim Geese had onlookers throughout the NHL questioning whether or not they’d have two vital items of their future signed earlier than the brand new season.
After Trevor Zegras signed a deal on Monday, the second RFA, Jamie Drysdale, agreed on a three-year contract on Thursday. Though the Geese did not disclose monetary particulars, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reviews the deal for the 21-year-old is value $2.3 million yearly.
Drysdale solely performed eight video games final season because of a season-ending shoulder harm in late October 2022. Though the 5-foot-11, 185-pound defenseman did not file some extent throughout that quick stint, he did have 28 assists and 32 factors in 81 video games in 2021-22. All in all, the No. 6 general choose within the 2020 NHL draft has 33 assists and 40 factors in a mixed 113 video games over elements of three seasons.
🚨 LET'S FLY, JD! 🚨
We've agreed to phrases with Jamie Drysdale on a three-year contract extension.
DETAILS: https://t.co/hgixmSgLLF#FlyTogether | @EandELaw pic.twitter.com/MvZupu9MjZ
— Anaheim Geese (@AnaheimDucks) October 5, 2023
“Jamie is a gifted younger defenseman with a shiny future,” Geese GM Pat Verbeek mentioned in a statement. “We’re completely happy this course of is full and look ahead to his progress as a valued member of our group.”
Similar to that, Verbeek and the Geese’ entrance workplace bought Drysdale and 22-year-old Zegras beneath contract by the 2025-26 season for a mixed $8.05 million of wage cap hit per 12 months. They’ve now all however accomplished a busy low season, which concerned re-signing fellow RFA Troy Terry to a seven-year contract, bringing in UFAs Alex Killorn, Radko Gudas and Robert Hagg, drafting heart Leo Carlsson second general and recently, claiming prospect defenseman Lassi Thomson off waivers.
Anaheim nonetheless has about $8.65 million in cap house as effectively, in keeping with PuckPedia.
With virtually one full season out of motion, it was troublesome for the Geese to mission Drysdale’s future, which might clarify why the workforce and participant determined a bridge contract was finest. Even nonetheless, the Toronto native nonetheless has 36 profession video games performed greater than fellow 2020 top-10 choose Jake Sanderson, who the Ottawa Senators signed to an eight-year contract extension value $8.05 million per 12 months that kicks in subsequent season. Sanderson accomplished his rookie season with 28 assists and 32 factors in 77 video games, much like Drysdale’s stats in 2021-22.
The summer season of 2026 might change into all of the extra fascinating, as Drysdale, Zegras and Carlsson will all be RFAs upon expiry of their new offers. Within the meantime, the squad in Orange County will look to proceed making headway of their rebuild beneath new coach Greg Cronin, as they will solely go up from their last-place end within the NHL final season.
Information Abstract:
- Geese Re-Signal RFA Jamie Drysdale to Three-Yr Contract
- Examine all information and articles from the most recent NHL updates.