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Arizona Coyotes: Free Agent Signings

By William Grigsby

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Arizona Coyotes Are Active In Free Agent Signings

Today, in all the frenzy of signings (Kessel to the Penguins, etc.) the local team (yes, we still have a NHL team here, don’t believe every story you read, especially from the N.Y. Post) made some moves as well.

First off, the Arizona Coyotes announced that they have signed forward Brad Richardson to a three-year contract.

Not quite sure why the Yotes signed Richardson. He seems like an average player, but then they need roster spots to be filled, and must get to the salary cap bottom limit. Per John Shannon of Sportsnet.com Richardson netted a three-year deal worth $6.25M. I don’t see him as anything more than forward Joe Vitale, whom the team signed to a three year deal last season. I mean both these guys are fourth liners, at best.

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Then, the Arizona Coyotes also signed tough guy Steve Downie away from the Penguins to a one-year contract, and according to team policy, the terms were not divulged. As pictured in the main post photo, Downie loves to mix it up, as he did against Captain Coyote. With the departure of B.J. Crombeen, the team needed an enforcer, and Downie is just the guy for the job. His 273 penalty minutes shows he’s not afraid to drop the gloves at a moment’s notice.

He’s Back…

Feb 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) checks St. Louis Blues right wing T.J. Oshie (74) during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Just as I thought the signings were over, the team went out and got that right-handed shot defenseman. And, it’s a name familiar to all of us. Zbynek Michalek signed a two-year contract, and he is BACK again… for what is this now — his third stint with the team. To say that GM Don Maloney accomplished his mission of acquiring an experienced blue-liner is an understatement. Michalek is well-known for his stellar shot blocking abilities, and goalie Mike Smith, along with newly signed net-minder Anders Lindback are overjoyed with this development. Michalek will certainly help the younger defenseman like Connor Murphy, and Klas Dahlbeck to improve their game. This was another surprise acquisition by GMDM, and I like it.

And so is he…

Nov 11, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) faces off for the puck against Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin in the third period at Gila River Arena. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

So, I was getting ready to put this story to bed, and should have known the Coyotes weren’t done YET. I really had heard that maybe they would bring back Antione Vermette, but I didn’t take it seriously.

I mean the team is trying to put their energy into getting younger, and Vermette just didn’t fit that bill, with his age of 32. But, again this was an excellent signing for the team, and for the salary cap amount he was getting paid before he left and got that Stanley Cup. He got two years, and now along with the trade getting the team Boyd Gordon, the Yotes now have two of the best face-off forwards in the league. If puck possession was one of the team’s downfall last season, it has been addressed.

With these signings the Arizona Coyotes’ payroll is now at $51.358M, just under the salary cap low limit. They have a budget of more than last year’s payroll of $56M, so they must save some money to sign Mikkel Boedker, and newly drafted  prospect Dylan Strome, along with other draft choices. All in all they are sitting in a good position financially, and if they could only get the arena issues resolved (more on that in another post), they might seem like a normal, functioning hockey club.

Stay posted for all the latest on YOUR ARIZONA COYOTES ! !

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Round Two Choices-Trade With Flyers

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