Arizona Coyotes Free Agency Moves

The Arizona Coyotes took a while but finally made some free agency moves to enhance their next season. They went out there and signed forward Jason Zucker to a one-year $5.3 million deal. He tallied 21 goals, 27 assists last season in 78 games. He is an excellent puck-possession player. This signing kept to GM Bill Armstrong’s philosophy of not committing long-term to players during the rebuild he is conducting. The advantage here is to have Zucker up to the trade deadline, and hopefully have a good trade asset to get more prospects and picks.

The Arizona Coyotes have signed Jason Zucker to. one-year $5.3M contract, via @FriedgeHNIC. 🌵 pic.twitter.com/aEfUmT8xgU

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Jason Zucker Sign With Arizona Coyotes

Zucker couldn’t get a deal done with the Pittsburgh Penguins and new GM Kyle Dubas, so the Coyotes swooped in to grab him. He will definitely add some offense that is much needed in Arizona. His 48 points would have placed him fourth on the Yotes’ roster. Envisioning the line combos that head coach Andre Tourigny will have is going to be a luxury he really hasn’t had. Throwing Zucker on a line with Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller can really boost the offensive threat for the Arizona club.

Zucker is also a very physical player who stands 5′-11″, 192 pounds. He’s not afraid to use his body and accumulated 197 hits last season. That besides his obvious scoring skills had to attract Armstrong into signing him. He is an accurate shooter, with 13.7 percent of his shots finding the net. While it may have come as a surprise to some hockey minds, adding Zucker will surely help the Coyotes move up in the standings to a respectable level.

Coyotes Grab Alexander Kerfoot From Free Agency Pool

We thought the Yotes were done, but then later in the day, they went after Alex Kerfoot formerly of the Maple Leafs. He was inked to a two-year deal worth #3.5 million AAV. Kerfoot had 10 goals, 22 assists last season in Toronto. He also has had 12 power play tallies, with 30 helpers. It looks like GM Armstrong is beginning to tire of losing, and is starting to sign some players who can get this team winning again.

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Four Other Players Are Headed Back to Arizona

The Coyotes traded away popular forward Nick Bjugstad at the trade deadline to the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick this year and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Bjugstad signed a two-year deal worth $2.1 million AAV. Bjugstad really enjoyed his stay in Arizona and he will be a good addition to the Coyotes free agency selections.

pic.twitter.com/Vdiiz9qkLu

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 1, 2023

Another signing just came through, and forward Alex Galchenyuk signed a one-year deal. This is Galchenyuk’s third stint in Arizona. He will add some depth to the forward lines and meets Armstrong concept of not spending a lot of money.

Galchenyuk makes a return to AZ #Avs #GoAvsGo    @FullPressNHL https://t.co/g66e720BVK

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) July 1, 2023

The last signing (so far) is that of Troy Stecher. He will round out the blueline for the Coyotes. Stecher too will be returning after being dealt to the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline. He was awarded a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

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— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 1, 2023

It’s been a productive day for the Coyotes free agency moves, but you never know with Bill Armstrong… he could have something else in the works.