Five Minute Major

*Photo from Sportsnet*     The boss of the bench is sticking around a little longer. The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed head coach Sheldon Keefe to a multi year contract extension, according to an announcement by the team on Wednesday.    Keefe said of sticking around that "Coaching this team has been a great privilege and I'm truly excited at the opportunity to continue building towards our ultimate goal. I'm thankful for the support from MLSE and it's ownership along with Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving, who I've really enjoyed getting to know and work with this offseason. We have so many great players and people within our organization that I'm grateful to work with, and together our commitment to team success remains steadfast."    The contract for Keefe will begin when the 2024-2025 season starts and is a two year deal, running through the end of the 2025-2026 season. In 2023-2024, Keefe will play out the last year of his current tw...

*Photo from Seattle Sports-My Northwest*     Here's another career that's over too soon. Seattle Kraken forward Joonas Donskoi has announced his retirement from the NHL on social media on Sunday.    During a preseason game last season, Donskoi suffered a concussion in what ends up being his final game in the NHL. He missed all of the regular season due to injury. After hitting free agency with his contract expiring, he is now calling it a career.    In a statement, Donskoi said "After suffering multiple concussions over my career I've decided to retire from professional hockey. It is extremely hard to let go of something you have put your whole life into, but at this point I know it's the right decision for my own well being and future. I got to live my dream of being an NHL player, which I'm extremely blessed and grateful for. I think I was able to reach my own potential, which was always my biggest goal."    "It would not have been possible with...

*Photo from Oilers Nation*     One of Edmonton's important players is back in the fold. The Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Evan Bouchard have agreed to a two year, $7.8 million contract, according to an announcement by the Oilers on Thursday.    At the end of the season, Bouchard became an RFA as his entry level contract expired. He now gets a multi year agreement and a significant pay raise. His new contract has a $3.9 million AAV. Bouchard will be an RFA with arbitration rights at the end of his contract.    Last season was another strong year for Bouchard, his second full NHL season since breaking into the league. He had 8 goals and a career high 32 assists for 40 points, posting a +6 rating while averaging 18:31 of ice time in 82 regular season games. He added 4 goals and 13 assists in 12 playoff games.    Bouchard said of signing his new deal that "I'm excited, we were close for a while there, so I think there wasn't too much pressure after t...

*Photo from The Hockey Writers*     New contracts are still coming through the pipeline. LW Alexis Lafreniere and the New York Rangers have agreed to a two year, $4.65 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Thursday.    The former first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Lafreniere was an RFA after the expiration of his entry level contract. He gets a $2.325 million AAV over both years, with $350,000 of his first year salary being a signing bonus. When the contract expires following the end of the 2024-2025 season, Lafreniere will still be an RFA.    Last season was Lafreniere's 3rd season in the NHL. He scored 16 goals and had a career high in assists with 23, racking up 39 points. He averaged 15:13 of ice time while posting a +10 rating in 81 regular season games. Lafreniere went without a point in 7 playoff games.    Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko were Lafreniere's primary linemates last season. With that line, the Rangers...

*Photo from The Athletic*     The coach is getting rewarded for the progress. The Arizona Coyotes have signed head coach Andre Tourigny to a 3 year contract extension, according to an announcement by the Coyotes on Wednesday.    Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong said of extending Tourigny that "We are very pleased to sign Andre to a three-year extension. He is an excellent coach, leader and communicator who has helped us establish a tremendous culture in our dressing room. Our players like him, respect him and compete hard for him. We are thrilled to have him signed as our head coach for the next three years."    The 2023-2024 season is the final year of Tourigny's current 3 year contract signed before the 2021-2022 season, when he took over as head coach. Now, he's under contract with the Coyotes through the 2026-2027 season.    After finishing with a dismal 25-50-7 record in 2021-2022, the improvements made last season under Tourigny were clear for...

*Photo from The Athletic*     Another player is sticking in Florida for a while to come. The Tampa Bay Lightning and LW Brandon Hagel have agreed to an 8 year, $52 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the team on Tuesday.    The contract begins in the 2024-2025 season and carries a $6.5 million AAV. He'll receive $17.68 million of his $52 million in signing bonuses over the 8 years. He has a full no trade clause for the 3rd and 4th years of the deal and a modified no trade clause for the final 4 years in the form of a 16 team no trade list.    Entering the 2023-2024 season, Hagel will play out the final year of a 3 year, $4.5 million contract signed with the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the 2021-2022 season. That contract has a $1.5 million cap hit for the upcoming season.    Hagel said of signing a new contract that "You'd be crazy if you said you never thought about the deal during the year. I'm grateful we were able to get...

*Photo from Yahoo Sports*     Back up the Brinks truck for this star. The Toronto Maple Leafs and center Auston Matthews have agreed to a 4 year, $53 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.    When his new contract kicks in when the 2024-2025 season starts, he'll pass Nathan MacKinnon as the highest paid player in the NHL. He'll make $13.25 million annually, with $49.65 million of his $53 million contract in the form of a signing bonus. The contract runs through the end of the 2027-2028 season and has a full no movement clause for all 4 years.    For the upcoming season, Matthews will play out the final year of a 5 year contract that pays him $11,640,250 million with a full no movement clause. He was a pending UFA at the end of the year, but now his services are secured.    Last season, Matthews had another stellar season as the star of the Maple Leafs. He potted 40 goals and added 45 assists, tota...

*Photo from Pucks and Pitchforks*     Another player is calling his career over. Veteran goalie Jonathan Bernier announced on Monday he is retiring from the NHL after over a decade in the league.    Last season was the second of a two year deal he signed with the New Jersey Devils, paying him $4.125 million annually. He missed all of the year with a hip injury, which dates back to the 2021-2022 season, in which he only played 10 games.    The last full season Bernier played was the 56 game 2021 season, shortened by Covid-19. With the Detroit Red Wings that year, he had a 9-11-1 record with a 2.99 GAA and .914 save percentage, recording 15 quality starts in 23 starts and 24 games.    Bernier said in a statement that "After fourteen years, it's time for me to hang up the pads. I can't thank the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils enough for giving me the opportunity ...

*Photo from 106.5 WYRK*     More depth on defense can only help a team. The Buffalo Sabres have traded D Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2025 4th round draft pick, according to announcements by both teams on Friday.    The Ducks will take on the entirety of Lyubushkin's remaining contract. He is entering the final season of a two year, $5.5 million contract signed with the Sabres. The contract pays him $2.75 million for the upcoming season before he is scheduled to hit free agency.    Lyubushkin has suited up for the Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Sabres in his career. He has amassed 5 goals and 34 assists for 39 points in that time, averaging 15:27 of ice time with a -22 rating in 279 career regular season games. Lyubushkin has no goals and one assist in 7 career playoff games.    Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek said of trading for Lyubushkin that "We are excited to add Ilya to our blue line as we targeted another defense...

*Photo from the Hockey Writers*     This defenseman is on the move yet again. The Detroit Red Wings have acquired D Jeff Petry from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for D Gustav Lindstrom and a conditional 2025 4th round draft pick, according to both teams.    Petry was traded from the Canadiens to the Penguins before last season only to wind up back in Montreal on August 6 as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. Now, he's heading back to his home state of Michigan to suit up for the Red Wings.    Montreal GM Kent Hughes said "Certainly, in this case, I called Jeff. I said, 'Listen, I know you didn't go to bed expecting to hear from me this morning. I was probably one of the last people you expected to hear from.' They were, as a family uptight. They have four young boys, and they were about to start school in two weeks, so I I gave him my word. I said, 'Listen, we saw an opportunity here to facilitate the trade between Pittsburgh and San Jose and to hel...

*Photo from CNN*     Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has passed away at the age of 21, according to an announcement by the team on Monday.    Toronto president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement that "The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss. Over the duration of his courageous battle, Rodion's positivity inspired everyone around him, and he made lasting impressions with our team and fans in his brief visits to Toronto. It's incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon. We offer our deepest condolences to Rodion's family and friends as we mourn this loss together."    In February of 2022, Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumor. A former first round pick, Amirov was playing in the KHL in Russia before sustaining an injury. During the recovery for that injury, he developed different symptoms, leading to the discovery of a tumor in his brain.    Amirov attended the Maple ...

*Photo from NHL.com*     Another member of the Spoked B is calling it a career. Longtime Boston Bruins center David Krejci announced on Monday morning that he is retiring from the NHL after over a decade and a half in the league.    Krejci's statement said "After 15 full NHL seasons I have decided to retire from the best league in the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cam Neely and Don Sweeney for allowing me to take my time with my decision and announcement. I also want to thank the Jacobs family and the entire Bruins organization for believing in me over and over again and giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing family for so many years."    All of Krejci's NHL career has been with the Bruins. He returned to the team last year on a one year, $3 million contract after spending the 2021-2022 season playing in Czechia. Now, he's officially hanging up the skates in both North America and Czechia.    La...

*Photo from Octopus Thrower*     Adding more depth never hurts. The Vancouver Canucks and forward Pius Suter have agreed to a two year, $3.2 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Friday.    Hitting free agency at the start of July, Suter finally has a new home over a month later with the Canucks. His contract carries a $1.6 million AAV and runs through the end of the 2024-2025 season, giving Suter a bit of term.    Suter said of signing with the Canucks that "The Canucks always showed interest right from beginning. I could tell they kind of did their homework on me and at the end, that's what excites me about it the most. They kind of know what I am as a player. But yeah, six weeks has been a bit longer, but now excited that I finally know where I'm going and excited to get started."    Last season was Suter's second year in a Red Wings uniform and the second of a two year contract. He put up 14 goals and 10 ...

*Photo from ABC 15 Arizona*     The efforts to stay in Arizona are continuing with haste. The Arizona Coyotes announced on Wednesday that they are aiming to build a new arena in the city of Mesa, Arizona.    The Coyotes said in a statement that "We can confirm that Coyotes Owner, Chairman & Governor Alex Meruelo has executed a Letter of Intent to purchase a parcel of land located in Mesa, Arizona to be the potential site for a sports arena and entertainment district for the Club. The Coyotes remain committed to building the first privately funded sports facility in Arizona history and ensuring the Valley as the Club's permanent home. In addition to this property in Mesa, the Club will continue to explore other potential sites in the East Valley."    "We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from many communities, elected officials, and community leaders who have expressed their desire to see the Coyotes remain in the Valley permanently...

*Photo from Fantasy Alarm*     Goalie depth is an important thing for a team to have. The Toronto Maple Leafs and goalie Martin Jones have agreed to a one year, $875,000 contract, according to an announcement by the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.    The signing of Jones gives the Maple Leafs a goalie room of Jones, Matt Murray, Ilya Samsonov, and Joseph Woll heading into training camp, but Murray will be placed on LTIR prior to opening day and will be out indefinitely with an injury.    Jones spent last season with the Seattle Kraken and helped them qualify for the playoffs. He posted a 27-13-3 record with 3 shutouts and 20 quality starts, recording a .886 save percentage and 2.99 GAA in 42 starts and 48 games. He appeared in one game and made two saves in the playoffs in 18 minutes.    Originally signed as an undrafted free agent, Jones had 5 stellar seasons to start his career. In 4 straight seasons from 2015-2016 to 2018-2019, Jones started at least...

*Photo from Bolts by the Bay*     Another veteran is heading off to the desert. The Arizona Coyotes and D Matt Dumba have agreed to a one year, $3.9 million contract, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports. The team has officially confirmed the news.    The 29 year old right shot defenseman is off to the Coyotes after the expiration of a 5 year deal worth $6 million annually with the Minnesota Wild. He gets a one year deal to try and rebound from a few down years and get a bigger payday next offseason.    Arizona GM Bill Armstrong said of the signing that "We are very pleased to have Matt join our organization. He is a talented, reliable, physical defenseman who competes hard every night and will contribute offensively. He is also a great leader who will add a veteran presence to our blue line. We are very excited to have him on our team this season."    Last season marked Dumba's 10th season in a Wild uniform. The Saskatchewan native ...

*Photo from NHL.com*     One of the stars in the Steel City will be out of commission. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel will be out for at least 12 weeks following surgery, according to an announcement by the Penguins on Friday.    Guentzel underwent right ankle surgery on August 2 and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks as per the Penguins announcement. If Guentzel were out for the 12 week timeline, that would be a 7 game absence for Guentzel to start the season.    Penguins president of hockey operations and GM Kyle Dubas said in a statement that "As Jake continued to increase the intensity of his preparation for the upcoming season, it was apparent that his ankle injury was not resolving in a way that was satisfactory to he or the Penguins. In collaboration with Jake - his representative Ben Hankinson of Octagon Sports, the Penguins medical team led by Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC Sports Medicine, and Dr. Coetzee - it was decided that surgery wou...

*Photo from NHLPA.com*     The big trade that was speculated about has finally happened. The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired D Erik Karlsson in a 3 team trade with the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens, according to all 3 teams.    Pittsburgh acquires Karlsson with 13 percent salary retention from the Sharks along with forward Dillon Hamaliuk and a 2026 3rd round pick. The Penguins also got forward Rem Pitlick from the Canadiens. The Penguins now have a cap hit above the cap limit of $82.5 million.    San Jose GM Mike Grier said of the trade that "We've been going at it for a while trying to get this done. It's been a bit of a grind. Happy to get it done with. Having the cap flexibility and financial flexibility was really important for us moving forward. We want to thank Erik for his contributions in San Jose over the last four years and congratulate him on a remarkable and historic 2022-23 season."    The Sharks get forward Mike...

*Photo from Stars and Sticks*     A longtime Capital has the chance to become a Capital lifer. The Washington Capitals and RW Tom Wilson have agreed to a 7 year, $45.5 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the Capitals on Friday.    Entering this season, one of the NHL's well known agitators will play out the final year of a 6 year deal signed before the 2018-2019 season. That deal pays him $5.1 million in base salary with a $1 million signing bonus for the season and has a 7 team no trade list.    Now, he gets a new contract to likely finish out his career with the Capitals. He has $23 million available in signing bonuses across all 7 years, dropping his base salary down to $900,000 for the last two years. The contract has a $6.5 million AAV and a modified no trade clause for all 7 years. The first 5 years are a 15 team no trade list, with the last 3 being a 10 team no trade list.    Last season, Wilson was limited in playin...

*Photo from Oil on Whyte*     Another piece of the puzzle has been put into place. The Edmonton Oilers and center Ryan McLeod have agreed to a two year, $4.2 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Tuesday.    McLeod was an RFA and had an arbitration hearing scheduled between him and the Oilers. That hearing is no longer, as they've agreed to a new contract that pays McLeod $2.1 million annually over the next two years. He'll once again be an RFA with arbitration rights when his contract expires.    Asked about his new deal, McLeod said that "I don't think any player wants to go through arbitration, I don't think it's fun for the player or the team, so I'm happy it was done before that and I'm looking forward to the season now. I'm looking to have a huge year for this team and I think winning makes everyone happier, so we're just looking to do that."    Last season, McLeod had a breakout season with the Oilers. He set ...

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*     The young star getting taken care of is big in the NHL now. C/RW Troy Terry and the Anaheim Ducks have agreed to a 7 year, $49 million contract, according to an announcement by the Ducks on Wednesday.    Last season was another strong one for Terry in a Ducks uniform. He had 23 goals and a career high 38 assists for 61 points, averaging 19:22 of ice time while posting a -8 rating in 70 regular season games for the Ducks.    Terry's contract comes entirely in base salary, with all $49 million coming in straight salary with no incentives or trade protections. He's set to make $7 million per year annually and has a modified no trade clause for the final 6 seasons of the contract. That kicks in when the 2025-2026 season and is a 10 team no trade list.    Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement that "We are very pleased to be able to come to an agreement. Troy is a major part of our team as a character pla...

*Photo from the Hockey Writers*     The Gus Bus is getting driven for a few more years. Goalie Filip Gustavsson and the Minnesota Wild have agreed to a 3 year, $11.25 million contract, according to an announcement by the Wild on Monday.    Wild GM Bill Guerin said of the contract that "This is something we've been working on for a long time. Filip had a career year last year. He's well deserving of this contract, and we're very happy with it. I think both sides worked to find a common ground, and like I said, he had a career year last year. He's still a young goalie that can improve on what he's done, and can continue to get better. So as a team, we're happy to make this investment in him. It will be nice to watch Filip grow over the next few years."    After making $787,500 in each of the last two seasons, Gustavsson gets a hefty pay raise. His new contract has a $3.75 million AAV with no bonuses or trade protections included. He'll be a UFA at th...

*Photo from ESPN*     Another domino drops in the Arizona roster puzzle. The Arizona Coyotes and C/LW Jack McBain have agreed to a two year, $3,199,998 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Sunday.    McBain, an RFA after the expiration of his entry level contract, is now in the fold for two more years in Arizona at just under $1.6 million annually. He and the Coyotes had an arbitration hearing scheduled, but that is also now avoided. He will remain a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the expiration of his new deal.    Playing in his first full NHL season in 2022-2023, McBain had a solid season for the Coyotes. He scored 12 goals and added 14 assists, averaging 13:59 of ice time with a -8 rating and two game winning goals in 82 games for the Coyotes.    Arizona GM Bill Armstrong said in a statement that "We are very pleased to sign Jack to a new contract. He is a big, strong, physical center who led our ...