Around the League Week 5 - Recapping this week's NHL headlines

The sixth- and seventh-overall picks for the 2019 entry draft have now both officially signed three-year entry-level deals with their respective clubs. Sixth-overall pick Moritz Seider was the first-round selection for the Detroit Red Wings this year. The 6 feet, 4-inch defenseman signed a three-year deal with the club earlier this week and is expected to start the NHL season with the team.

Seventh-overall pick Dylan Cozens also signed a three-year deal with the team that selected him in the first round: the Buffalo Sabres. Cozens finished his last WHL season with 84 points.

The Washington Capitals have inked forward Jakub Vrana to a new two-year, $6.7-million deal. Vrana was a restricted free agent heading into next season. In 2019, Vrana had a career-high 24 goals and finished with 47 points.

The Colorado Avalanche have avoided arbitration with forward J.T. Compher by signing hi to a new deal worth $14-million across the next four seasons. Compher was scheduled to have his arbitration hearing on July 31. He had 16 goals and 32 points in 66 games last season with the Avs.

The top goaltending prospect for the Los Angeles Kings has signed a new deal with the club. Cal Petersen signed a three-year deal with the Kings worth $858,333 annually. The first year of the contract is a two-way deal while the second and third years are one-way. He was drafted by the Sabres in 2013 but went unsigned.

The Minnesota Wild have resigned restricted free agent Ryan Donato to a two-year deal worth $3.8-million. He had 16 points in 22 games last season with Minnesota after being dealt at the trade deadline by the Boston Bruins.

Restricted free agent AndreBurakovsky has signed a new one-year deal with his new club, the Colorado Avalanche. The deal is reportedly worth $3.25-million. The Avalanche acquired Burakovsky from the Washing Capitals back on June 28. He had 25 points in 76 games last season.

Trades

The Ottawa Senators have made another off-season trade – this time with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sens pulled off a one-for-one trade that saw them deal forward Zack Smith to the Hawks for forward Artem Anisimov. Both players are 31-years-old and both have two years remaining on their existing contracts.

Other Headlines

The still currently named expansion team from Seattle has named their first GM in team history. Former NHL forward, and former director of operations, general manager, and executive vice president of the Carolina Hurricanes Ron Francis was announced as the team’s first GM this week. It is reported that Francis will be given a five-year contract. That contract will include the next two years as the team builds before they hit the ice and carry through to their third official season. The new Seattle franchise will debut for the 2021-22 season.

During his playing career, Francis amassed two Stanley Cups, three Lady Byng trophies, one Selke, a hall-of-fame induction, and is fifth on the NHL’s all-time points list.