Around the League Week 4: Recapping This Week's NHL Headlines

The Vegas Golden Knights and goaltender Malcolm Subban have avoided an arbitration hearing after the two sides agreed to a one-year extension worth $850,000. Subban has played the role as the backup goaltender for the first two seasons of the Golden Knights history. Last season he suited up for 21 games, amassing a record of 8-10-2.

The San Jose Sharks have signed restricted free agent Kevin Labanc to a one-year extension worth $1-million. Labanc had career highs in goals, assists, and points last season with the Sharks.

After signing a qualifying offer with the Montreal Canadiens, Sebastian Aho has officially had the offer matched by his current team, the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal sees Aho signing with the Canes, making $42.27-million over the next five seasons. The 21-year-old had 83 points with Carolina last season.

The Buffalo Sabres landed one of the best remaining free agents on the market. Buffalo came to terms with former Boston Bruin Marcus Johansson. Johansson signed a two-year deal with the Sabres and will earn $4.5-million annually. Johansson had 30 points in 58 games last season as well as 11 points in the playoffs. It is reported that the new contract also carries a ten-team no-trade clause.

Former Arizona Coyote Nick Cousins has signed a new deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Cousins set a career high in points last season – racking up 27 points in 81 games. His contract with the Canadiens is a one-year, $1-million deal.

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed one of their heavy hitters. Nikita Zadarov signed a one-year deal worth $3.2-million. Zadarov finished last season ranked sixth overall in the entire league for hits.with 228.

Forward Cedric Paqutte has resigned with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Paquette with 13 goals and a 52.6 faceoff percentage. His new contract is worth $1.65-million annually over the next two seasons.

Restricted free agent Josh Leivo has resigned with the Vancouver Canucks. In 49 games last season, Leivo had ten goals and eight assists. His new contract is a one-year deal worth $1.5-million.

Another restricted free agent has signed a new deal with his team as defenseman Scott Harrington reached a new deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Harrington signed a three-year contract that is worth $1.63-million annually. Harrington had 81 blocked shots last season and had four playoff points in four playoff games.

Defenseman Ben Chiarot has signed a deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Over the next three seasons, Chiarot will make an annual salary of $3.5-million. Chiarot spent last season with the Winnipeg Jets and had 20 points in 78 games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have extended the contracts of two of their newest players. After picking up Alex Kerfoot in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, the Leafs extended his contract by four years which will see him make $14-million. Cody Ceci, whom the Leafs received in a trade with the Ottawa Senators, signed a one-year extension worth $4.5-million.

The Boston Bruins have avoided arbitration with forward Danton Heinen by signing him to a two-year contract extension worth $5.6-million. Heinen recorded 34 points in 77 games last season and also had eight points in the playoffs where the Bruins made the Stanley Cup finals.

The Vancouver Canucks made another big move this off-season by landing a sought after free agent. The Canucks announced they have signed former Carolina Hurricane Micheal Ferland to a four-year deal worth $3.5-million annually. Ferland had 40 points in 71 games last season with Carolina who had originally acquired him from the Calgary Flames.

Finally, the New York Rangers have officially signed the number-two overall draft pick Kaapo Kakko to a three-year entry-level contract. Kakko’s annual cap hit will be $925,000 and each year he will also receive $2.65-million in signing bonuses.

Waivers and Buyouts

None to report.

Retirements

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cullen announced his retirement from the NHL earlier this week. Drafted in 1996, Cullen spent his NHL career across eight different teams. At 42-years-old, Cullen was the oldest player participating in the 2019 season. Cullen retires with 731 points and three Stanley Cups.

Other Headlines

Stanley Cup winner and Calder trophy finalist Jordan Binnington, goalie of the St. Louis Blues, has had his arbitration date set for July 20 – that is, if the two sides can’t agree to terms on a new contract before then.

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has signed a four-year contract extension with the club. Sullivan has won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins and has amassed a regular season record of 174-92-34. The extension kicks in for the 2021 NHL season.

Mike Sullivan isn’t the only coach to sign a contract extension this week. Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar signed a two-year extension with the club. Bednar led the Avs to the second round of the playoffs in 2019 and finished the season with a record of 38-30-14.

It has been reported that since the acquisition of forward Phil Kessel by the Arizona Coyotes that ticket sales are up by 550 percent from this time last year. The Coyotes have said that 94 percent of season ticket holders have already renewed their seats and that social media and website activity has also seen an increase. Kessel was traded to the team on June 29.