NHL
Dvorak Signed a Six-Year Contract Extension on Thursday
The Arizona Coyotes gave 22-year-old center Christian Dvorak a lengthy six-year extension on Thursday. Dvorak is entering the final season of his three-year entry level contract; which could have resulted in Dvorak becoming a restricted free agent on July 1st. This extension runs through the 2024-25 season.
“I am very happy to sign a long-term contract with the Coyotes,” Dvorak said. “We have a great young team with a bright future, and I love living and playing in the Valley. I’m excited to be a Coyote for the next seven years.”
No financial details of the contract were disclosed, however, Craig Moran reports that the cap hit is $4.45M a season.
Arizona and Their Contracts
Dvorak’s contract is the second long-term extension that the Coyotes offered this offseason; signing defenseman Oliver Ekman-Karsson to an eight-year extension on July 1st. Ekman-Karsson is 27, and his contract will run through the 2026-27 season.
About Dvorak
Christian Dvorak was chosen by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No.58) during the 2014 NHL Draft. As of last season, Dvorak had 37 points (15 Goals, 22 Assists) which he racked up in 78 games. His second season in the NHL. Overall Dvorak has 70 points (30 Goals, 40 Assists) in 156 NHL games.
Thoughts from Arizona
When asked why such a long-term contract, the Coyotes General Manager John Chayka said:
“We’re happy to invest a person like Christian Dvorak,” Chayka said. “Obviously, he’s a very talented person and player. … Our view is this is a player that we want a part of our group for the long term. We could wait it out, make him play another year. We just think he’s getting better and better. The market is going to continue to rise and we feel like this is a deal that made sense for both sides at this time. Based off the body of work and his determination to continue to improve, we expect him to be a player that can continue to produce at a higher level,” Chayka said. “There’s always a risk when you’re committing to players that haven’t yet done that, but in this situation with this certain player and his fit with our group, we’re comfortable that he’s going to continue to get better.”
