The NHL season kicks off tonight, and in the days leading up, two key scorers got paid with new contracts. First, the Calgary Flames gave All-Star forward Johnny Gaudreau a new six-year deal. The contract is worth $40.5 million overall, giving the 23-year-old $6.75 million annually.
Gaudreau was a restricted free agent, and was expected to draw major interest from other teams after posting a 30-goal, 78-point season. He lead the team in goals, assists, and points, and ranked sixth in the NHL in goals and points. He also helped himself out by playing well in the World Cup of Hockey, recording four points in three games.
The Flames look at Gaudreau as a key part of their future, and now have the comfort of knowing that he is locked in for years to come. Calgary opens up their season tonight in Edmonton.
The other scorer that got a new deal was Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who received a new three-year deal on Tuesday. According to team general manager, Steve Yzerman, the contract will pay Kucherov $4.766 million annually.
Kucherov was also a restricted free agent, and will be one again in 2019 when his new contract expires. He has not participated in camp, but was playing for Team Russia in the World Cup of Hockey.
The 23-year-old lead the team with 66 points last season, which included 30 goals and 36 assists. He also lead the team in the playoffs with 11 goals and eight assists. The star scorer will look to keep that success going heading into this season, which opens Thursday night against the Red Wings.
Gaudreau was a restricted free agent, and was expected to draw major interest from other teams after posting a 30-goal, 78-point season. He lead the team in goals, assists, and points, and ranked sixth in the NHL in goals and points. He also helped himself out by playing well in the World Cup of Hockey, recording four points in three games.
The Flames look at Gaudreau as a key part of their future, and now have the comfort of knowing that he is locked in for years to come. Calgary opens up their season tonight in Edmonton.
The other scorer that got a new deal was Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who received a new three-year deal on Tuesday. According to team general manager, Steve Yzerman, the contract will pay Kucherov $4.766 million annually.
Kucherov was also a restricted free agent, and will be one again in 2019 when his new contract expires. He has not participated in camp, but was playing for Team Russia in the World Cup of Hockey.
The 23-year-old lead the team with 66 points last season, which included 30 goals and 36 assists. He also lead the team in the playoffs with 11 goals and eight assists. The star scorer will look to keep that success going heading into this season, which opens Thursday night against the Red Wings.
