Coyotes re-sign forward Lawson Crouse to a 3 year, $4.6 million deal

Today it was announced that the Arizona Coyotes have re-signed forward Lawson Crouse to a three-year, $4.6 million contract.

Originally drafted 11th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, Crouse spent his time in juniors playing with the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. In 2016 the Coyotes would acquire Crouse and Dave Bolland’s contract from the Panthers for a conditional second-round pick in 2017 and a third-round pick in 2018.

Crouse would play play 72 games with the Arizona Coyotes during the 2016-17 season registering 5-7-12. After a season the team and new coach Rick Tocchet believed that Crouse could use a bit more time developing and reassigned Crouse to the AHL to play with the Tucson Roadrunners. In 56 games with the Roadrunners Crouse registered 15-17-32, helping the Roadrunners advance to the playoffs. In 9 playoff games with the Roadrunners Crouse would score two goals and record six assists, tying Dylan Strome and Carter Camper as team leaders.

Last season Crouse would return to the NHL. He would finish the season having played a career high 81 games and registering a career high 11 goals and 14 assists. He would also lead the team in penalty minutes, with 67 total minutes.

Crouse took steps in the right direction last season and seemed to benefit from a season in the AHL. Hopefully Crouse will continue to improve and become the power forward that who can land big hits as well as generate offense. Three-years for minimal amount of money is a great deal for the Coyotes, and if Crouse keeps getting better he will be in for a nice bump in pay when its time to sign his next contract.

Per CapFriendly Emil Pettersson, Hudson Fasching, Michael Bunting, Dysin Mayo, and Adin Hill are the only remaining restricted free agents.