Coyotes and Crouse agree on long term extension

*Photo from AZ Coyotes Insider*

   One piece to the rebuild in Arizona is now under contract for the foreseeable future. The Arizona Coyotes and LW Lawson Crouse have agreed to a 5 year, $21.5 million deal, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports. The Coyotes have confirmed the deal.

   Asked about signing his contract, Crouse said that "It's a great feeling, the feeling of being wanted somewhere for that amount of time is huge. They're putting a lot of faith in me, so I'm going to do everything that I can do and make this team a better team and come out on top."

   Entering this offseason, Crouse was an RFA with arbitration rights, and had a hearing scheduled. Now, both he and the Coyotes avoid that process with a new contract in hand. His new deal has a $4.3 million AAV over the 5 years, with zero trade protections included. He will be a UFA when the deal expires after the 2026-2027 season.

   Prior to making his NHL debut in the 2016-2017 season, Crouse was selected by the Florida Panthers in the first round, with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Before the 2016-2017 season began, Crouse and Dave Bolland were traded to the Coyotes for a pair of draft picks, and Crouse has been with Arizona ever since.

   Last season with the Coyotes, Crouse scored a career high 20 goals and 34 points, adding 14 assists. He posted a -9 plus/minus rating while spending an average of 17:26 on the ice, playing in 65 games for the Coyotes, who finished 8th in the Central Division.

   Crouse said of his records in goals and points last season that "I think it showed what I'm capable of doing. As a player, I believe in myself. I feel that I can continue to grow on what I did last year, so it's exciting. It's good times for myself and the Coyotes going forward and looking forward to everything that's in store."

   Across 6 seasons with the Coyotes in the NHL, Crouse has 56 goals and 54 assists to his name. He has a -40 plus/minus rating while averaging 13:50 of ice time per game in 346 regular season games. Crouse has an additional two goals in 9 career playoff games.

   This offseason, the Coyotes have brought in Nick Bjugstad, Josh Brown, Patrik Nemeth, Troy Stecher, and Zack Kassian as they continue their rebuild, while moving into a college arena for the next few years to play their home games.