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Arizona Coyotes’ Mikkel Boedker’s One-Year Contract

By William Grigsby

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Mikkel Boedker opted for a one-year contract from the Arizona Coyotes, and here’s why

When Mikkel Boedker settled for a one-year, $3.75 million contract, GM Don Maloney was still leary of Boedker’s health, as well as having new ownership, but the left wing has a different version. He thinks the team’s lease situation, and an uneasy  feeling of not knowing where the team would be playing had a lot to do with his decision — along with the money and term being offered, were not in line with what Boedker envisioned. He had two off-season offers, which were rejected.

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After the disappointment of his season ending due to spleen surgery, Boedker claims to be ready to go this season. He along with Martin Hanzal, who was out for back surgery will be vital to the Arizona Coyotes’ chances of moving up in the standings this season.

Boedker started skating with the team again late last season, but didn’t get his body weight back up to 205 pounds until this summer in Denmark, where he spent most of his time working out or visiting with friends and family.

Per Craig Morgan of FOX Sports Arizona:

"“There was another contract that was on the table and we looked at them both and this one made the most sense for me,” Boedker said. “It’s a difficult situation when the negotiation goes that long, but when the final decision was made it had nothing to do with where the team was going to play, whether it was in Scottsdale or downtown or in Glendale. It was the best situation for me going forward.”"

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Boedker’s status after this season will be the same as it was at last season’s end… that of an unrestricted free agent. That is of course, if the Arizona Coyotes don’t try to sign him to a long term deal in January, when that is possible per the collective barraging agreement. According to his agent, Jarrett Bousquet such a deal will be in the $5 million range.

Two sources claim that the Coyotes had the opportunity to sign Boedker to a five-year contract some two years ago, with a salary cap hit of just $3.2 million. That was then, this is NOW. At that time GM Don Maloney wasn’t  wanting to commit to the deal.

“I’m open for anything,” he said. “It obviously puts a lot of pressure on me this season but I think it’s their turn to show what I mean to the team. In some ways, it will be interesting to see, but I have to perform on the ice.

“It doesn’t help if I’m just another guy on the ice. You have to prove that you are something important for the team. I’m hoping to come back stronger than ever and make an impact.”

SO, it pretty much sounds like this will be Boedker’s make or break year. If he plays well, he may be deserving of a long-term deal equal to what he feels he is worth. If not, then he may try his luck in the free agency market.

SO, the puck is on Boedker’s stick, let’s see if he’s still got the talent he displayed early last season against the Oilers:

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Welcome Back Boedker/Hanzal

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