Hello everyone,
Hope all is well with you. We have some news from around the league and in the world of hockey.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have signed their star Sebastian Aho to an 8-year, $78 million deal (with an AAV of $9.75 million) and it kicks off for the 2024-25 NHL season (till 2032). He was drafted 35th by the Hurricanes in 2015 and has amassed 468 points in 520 career regular-season games. He is also nearly a point-a-game player in the playoffs with 58 in 63, and Carolina continues to be dominant in the regular season and postseason, seeking out their second Stanley Cup (after 2006). Aho, 26, is a big piece of the puzzle and their core, and they will continue to be a strong team for years to come.
- Patrice Bergeron, 38, captain of the Boston Bruins and one of the best two-way forwards of the game, announced he will be retiring from the NHL. He noted that “It is with a full heart and a lot of gratitude that today I am announcing my retirement as a professional hockey player” as he finished a heck of a career. Patrice, who was drafted #45 in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, played 19 seasons with only the Bruins throughout his career, and retiring as a Stanley Cup Champion, three-time All-Star, and winner of the Selke Trophy 6 times (we need to ask the NHL to rename the award). He played a total of 1294 games, putting up 427 goals and 613 assists for a total of 1040 and was a leader on and off the ice. He was a great player to watch play as he did so much and made such an impact. His presence will be missed as Boston will have to replace their top centre (nearly impossible). We wish him all the best in his future.
- The Minnesota Wild have signed Filip Gustavsson to a 3-year, $11.25 million dollar contract today (with an AAV of $3.75MM). Gustavsson, 25, played 39 games last season, splitting time with Marc-Andre Fleury and had a .931%SP and 2.10 GAA. He clearly helped the team remain competitive, as they continued to be cap strapped, before being knocked out by the Dallas Stars in the first round. We think he will be a great goalie for years to come and has proven he can be a starter in the NHL.
- If you are feeling bored this summer and miss hockey, you can check out the Hlinka Gretzky Cup being hosted right now between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The tournament features some under-18 players, best on best, who could be future prospects in the future.
- Also, the Arizona Coyotes have signed Jack McBain to a 2-year, $3,20 million dollar contract (with an AAV of $1.6 million). McBain, 23 played all 82 games putting up 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points. This was in his second season and he was a great depth piece for the team. There are still a few more players lined up for Arbitration, but they may get done beforehand (Troy Terry, Jeremy Swayman, Ryan McLeod). We will see how those work out.
Thoughts?
Pawel the ‘Cat’
