Colin Campbell, Author at Boutique Hockey Agency - KO Sports

Dylan Larkin’s new deal may mean he’s the next Detroit Red Wings captain

Posted on August 10, 2018September 15, 2020

DETROIT, MI – Dylan Larkin did some quick math: By the time his new contract expires, he’ll have played for the DetroitRed Wings for eight years.

His role during that time is almost likely to include the captaincy.

The Wings committed five years and $30.5 million to Larkin, who celebrated his 22nd birthday July 30. Larkin was deemed worthy of the deal, announced Friday, because of the growth he’s shown since he made the team in 2015-16, a year after he was drafted 15th overall in 2014.

In that short time, Larkin has emerged as the frontispiece of the rebuilding process, his inner drive drawing comparisons to Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg.

Red Wings lock up franchise center Dylan Larkin long-term

Posted on August 10, 2018September 15, 2020

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Red Wings leading point-producer is now their highest paid player.

The Red Wings locked up 22-year-old center Dylan Larkin on a five-year deal worth $30.5 million on Friday. The deal has an annual average value of $6.1 million, some $16,667 more than Henrik Zetterberg makes to take the average annual value title.

Larkin had 16 goals and 47 assists last year, doubling his point total from the year previous after getting a nearly four-minute bump in ice time per game. Larkin is the best player on a team that came into the 2017-18 season as the oldest team in the NHL.

Larkin foreshadowed Friday’s signing earlier in the week.

“Something’s coming,” Larkin told Sportsnet. “I’ve told everyone I think it’ll be before training camp. It’s right there. I’m just waiting to iron out the details.”

Larkin will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the deal in 2023.

Christian Dvorak agrees to 6 year extension with Coyotes

Posted on August 9, 2018September 15, 2020

GLENDALE, AZ – The Arizona Coyotes announced on a Friday that the team has signed centre Christian Dvorak to a six-year extension.

The deal carries an annual average value of $4.45 million and the extension kicks in beginning with the 2019-20 season.

A native of Palos, Ill., the 22-year-old Dvorak appeared in 78 games a season ago, scoring 15 goals and adding 22 assists.

“We are very pleased to sign Christian to a long-term contract,” Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a statement. “Christian is a highly skilled, reliable, two-way center who continues to improve each season. He will be a key player for us in the future and we are thrilled to have him with us for the next seven seasons.”

Larkin spearheads USA Hockey tribute game for Jim Johansson

Posted on August 6, 2018September 15, 2020

PLYMOUTH, MI – When Dylan Larkin was still a relative unknown in the hockey world, USA Hockey’s beloved Jim ‘J.J.’ Johannson was there for him and his family.

And now it’s Larkin’s time to repay the favor to Johansson, who died unexpectedly Jan. 21 at age 53. The Detroit Red Wings star forward showed he is speedy off the ice as well as on — quickly spearheading a charity hockey game that will take place 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.

“It was really Dylan Larkin at the men’s world championship this year who brought it up and said we should have a game to pay tribute to J.J. and raise money for a couple funds,” said Dave Fischer, USA Hockey’s senior director of communications. “He said ‘I’ll rally the guys and get the players,’ and in early July he started going the path of trying to get guys and then he said ‘We can get enough guys, let’s do it.’”

John Gibson signs eight-year contract extension with Ducks

Posted on August 4, 2018September 15, 2020

ANAHEIM, CA – John Gibson signed an eight-year contract extension worth $6.4 million per season with the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

The 25-year-old goaltender has one year remaining on a three-year contract extension he signed on Sept. 21, 2015 and could have become a restricted free agent after this season. His new extension will take effect next season and go through the 2026-27 NHL season.

“I’m excited to be a part of this organization for the long term,” Gibson said. “Staying with the Ducks was always my preference, and I couldn’t be happier. Living in the Orange County community with the great support of our fans, I can’t think of a better place to play. It’s great to be a part of the future of this team moving forward and hopefully bring a Stanley Cup back to Anaheim.”

Gibson’s .923 career save percentage is the highest among goaltenders to appear in at least 150 NHL games since 1955-56 (when shots on goal became an official NHL statistic), ahead of Hockey Hall of Famers Ken Dryden (.922) and Dominik Hasek (.922), as well as Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.

Jets sign Nic Petan to one-year contract

Posted on August 1, 2018September 15, 2020

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Jets announced they have agreed to terms with forward Nic Petan on a one-year, two-way contract worth $874,125 in the NHL.

Petan, 23, played in 15 games for the Jets last year where he had a pair of goals along with six penalty minutes. He also played 52 games for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and recorded 52 points (15G, 37A) and 24 PIMs in the regular season. He then added another four points (1G, 3A) and eight PIMs in nine AHL playoff games. The Delta, BC native has played three professional seasons with the Jets organization where he’s played 95 games in the NHL and collected 21 points (5G, 16A) and 28 PIMs.

Schmaltz looking to have bigger impact with Blackhawks

Posted on August 1, 2018September 15, 2020

CHICAGO, IL – Nick Schmaltz is ready to take the next step in his game.

The 22-year-old solidified his place as the Chicago Blackhawks’ second-line center last season and wants to build off the chemistry he and right wing Patrick Kane developed.

“I got on the ice about two or three weeks ago,” Schmaltz said at the Chicago Pro Hockey League on Wednesday. “We’ll get back into it here and I’ll start cranking it up the next couple of weeks. I’m just trying to get stronger and get ready for a big season here.”

Schmaltz had a strong second NHL season, scoring 52 points (21 goals, 31 assists) in 78 games. But to improve, Schmaltz will likely go back to the Darryl Belfry Florida Tactics and Tuneup Camp in August. Schmaltz and Kane worked together at Belfry’s camp last summer.

Westerlund’s game grew from playing with Dahlin in Sweden

Posted on August 1, 2018September 15, 2020

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Filip Westerlund is hopeful lessons learned from watching teammate Rasmus Dahlin will help him make an NHL roster someday.

Westerlund (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No. 44) of the 2017 NHL Draft, played 52 games with Dahlin the past two seasons for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. Dahlin was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

“The thing I learned from watching [Dahlin] was how calm he was in big situations,” Westerlund said. “He was able to do whatever he was thinking so well. It was incredible to watch him play.”

Larkin aims to be ‘way better player’ for Red Wings this season

Posted on August 1, 2018September 15, 2020

DETROIT, MI – Dylan Larkin could have coasted, taken a loss and relaxed. It was a Thursday night in July, and this was the Eastside Elite All-Star Classic, a 3-on-3 tournament in a summer league in suburban Detroit. His team was trailing 2-0 in the losers bracket. Cold beverages awaited.

But the Detroit Red Wings center was a main attraction at an event that packed Mount Clemens Ice Arena and raised money for ALS, autism, concussions and the Special Olympics. He’d won it last year, the league title too. He didn’t want his team to be the first eliminated this year, especially not against Red Wings teammate Danny DeKeyser.