The Colorado Avalanche inked one of their young stars on Friday night, signing forward Nathan MacKinnon to a seven-year, $44.1 million deal. The contract runs through the 2022-23 season. The 20-year-old already has two years of NHL experience, but also already has an injury past.
He missed the final 18 games two seasons ago due to a broken foot, and the final 10 games last season due to a sprained ligament in his knee. After being selected No. 1 overall in 2013, he lived up to those expectations by winning the Calder Trophy.
The Winnipeg Jets also signed their restricted free agent, giving Mark Scheifele an eight-year, $49 million contract. The deal goes to the man who lead the team in scoring with 29 goals last season, and finished second behind Blake Wheeler with 61 points.
In his third full season in the NHL, he took over on the Jets' top line in the second half of last season after Bryan Little went down with an injury. The 23-year-old recorded 14 goals and seven assists in the final 21 games.
The Avalanche and Jets plan on using the rest of the off-season to lock up their other restricted free agents before other teams get to them with offer sheets.
He missed the final 18 games two seasons ago due to a broken foot, and the final 10 games last season due to a sprained ligament in his knee. After being selected No. 1 overall in 2013, he lived up to those expectations by winning the Calder Trophy.
The Winnipeg Jets also signed their restricted free agent, giving Mark Scheifele an eight-year, $49 million contract. The deal goes to the man who lead the team in scoring with 29 goals last season, and finished second behind Blake Wheeler with 61 points.
In his third full season in the NHL, he took over on the Jets' top line in the second half of last season after Bryan Little went down with an injury. The 23-year-old recorded 14 goals and seven assists in the final 21 games.
The Avalanche and Jets plan on using the rest of the off-season to lock up their other restricted free agents before other teams get to them with offer sheets.
