Edmonton Oilers lock up Devan Dubnyk, Jeff Petry, Dane Byers -NHL Free Agency Update
Edmonton Oilers checked off some boxes on their to-do list by re-signing goalie Devan Dubnyk along with defenseman Jeff Petry and left winger Dane Byers on Thursday, July 5, 2012.
It was the goalies lifetime goal to sign a big level contract with his original draft team and after spending two seasons at $800,000 a year, the restricted free agent made it large with a two-year deal which will be giving him a total of $7 million.
Jeff Petry was signed on to a two-year contract as well which will be giving him $1.75 million annually.
“They’re two great guys and they’re both close friends of mine, so I’m really happy they’re both coming back,” said Oilers veteran winger Ryan Jones. “I compare Dubbie to another goalie I used to play with in Pekka Rinne. He’s a big guy, an athletic guy
who covers a lot of the net.”
“I’ve told him that before and he seems primed and ready to have the season that he wants to have, and the season that we need him to have in order to be successful. He’s a heck of a goaltender and he can do that,” Jones added about Dubnyk, who is reportedly
finding it hard to control his excitement.
Being married in the upcoming weeks and now signing on to a hefty paying contract, things definitely could not have been any better for the 26-year-old goalie who was picked up by Edmonton Oilers as the 14th overall back during the 2004 National
Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
Last season was one of his best as Dubnyk got to play in 47 games, his most yet, along with maintaining an impressive .914 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average.
Jeff Petry, a former 45th overall pick of 2006, had 25 points (2 goals, 23 assists) last season while Dane Byers did not have a single point in the eight games he got to play.
Byers has been playing in the NHL with Columbus Blue Jackets but mainly with their affiliates in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Springfield Falcons. He is certainly looking for more time in the major league and just might get a chance with Edmonton.
Tags: