Phoenix Coyotes sign Lauri Korpikoski to two-year deal, avoid arbitration –NHL offseason Update
Phoenix Coyotes re-signed their key left winger, Lauri Korpikoski, on Wednesday, July 20, to a two-year contract, of which the financial terms and conditions were not disclosed as per franchise policy, which will put-off the salary arbitration hearing which
was scheduled in the near future.
Phoenix general manager, Don Maloney, made the announcement at their home town on Wednesday.
"We are very pleased to sign Lauri to a two-year contract", Coyotes GM Don Maloney said. "Lauri is an excellent skater, a versatile forward and an important player on our team. We are happy to avoid arbitration and finalize a contract".
Korpikoski remained a top-notch player for Phoenix last season as the 24-year-old registered 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists) in 79 games played, while finishing off with a good plus-minus rating of 17.
The Finnish player who hails from Turku, Finland, was drafted as the 19th overall pick during round-one of the 2004 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft by New York Rangers and played a single season with his original team during 2008-2009.
Korpikoski played his first 68 major league matchups with New York in which he registered 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) and played another four with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate club, Hartford Wolf Pack, and put up an impressive six points
(4 goals, 2 assists).
He was acquired by Phoenix Coyotes after the 2008-2009 season had ended and before the trade deadline finalised as New York exchanged him for Enver Lisin in July of 2009.
Up until now, the power forward has participated in 218 NHL games and boasts a 65 point record (30 goals, 35 assists) and an accumulated plus-minus rating of -3.
Recording record high statistics last season, Korpikoski hopes to reach new highs as the next regular season begins in October and now he is secure for the next two. Phoenix has not made a big impression in the playoffs as of yet, but keeping players like
Korpikoski on their line-up is a sure way to gradually move up in the ranks.
So far, Phoenix has been a gaining ground for Korpikoski and the next two seasons should be the testing ground for the young forward.
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