The offseason continues to be a building block for the Arizona Coyotes as free agency returns days after the NHL Draft.
With all the needs the Coyotes still must address, the team has traded for key players and brought back familiar faces throughout the offseason. The start of free agency has returned to its usual date of July 1 and the Coyotes have already added several players to fill out its roster.
Here are the signings for the Coyotes.
Nick Bjugstad comes back on a multiyear deal
Several members of last year’s team raved about the locker room and the team’s chemistry. The Coyotes went back and signed key players who were traded from that team, including Nick Bjugstad.
The 6-6 center inked a two-year, $2.1 million deal, per PHNX’s Craig Morgan. Bjugstad spent 59 games with the Coyotes where he revived his game with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists). He was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers at the deadline where he recorded six points (4 goals, 2 assists) and scored three goals in 12 playoff games.
Jason Zucker signs one-year deal following bounce back season
The Coyotes added more depth to its veteran group after signing winger Jason Zucker to a one-year deal worth $5.3 million, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The 31-year-old scored 27 goals, the second highest of his career, and tallied 48 points in 78 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Defenseman Troy Stecher signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million to return to the Coyotes, per Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg.
Stecher played 61 games with the Coyotes last season and was traded to the Calgary Flames at the deadline. He totaled 14 points over 81 games last season, including seven assists with the Coyotes.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tracker of NHL free agents joining, returning to Arizona Coyotes
