The Arizona Coyotes have signed defenseman Michael Stone of Winnipeg to a one-year contract.
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Per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan reported the deal averages out to $3.85 million per season.
Stone had an National Hockey League career-high 36 points (six goals, 30 assists) and 62 penalty minutes in 75 games last season.
“I was happy with just individually being able to see development in myself”, the 23-year-old said. He was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing in Toronto on August 4.
“I would love to be here long-term”, Stone said.
Coyotes general manager, John Chayka said, “He is a guy we think can be a part of our leadership group for a long time moving forward”. “It was a significant increase and it goes to show I had a good season a year ago”.
The Coyotes selected him in the third round, 69th overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft had his season cut short after suffering an ACL injury on March 26 against the Philadelphia Flyers. “That’s a goal (but) things are a little uncertain with my injury”, Stone said. His recovery time was estimated at a minimum of six months; the team’s season-opener on October 15 is approximately six-and-a-half months after Stone’s April 1 surgery. I think my knee is coming along nicely. “I think [we are on the timeline]”. Whenever I’m ready to go I’ll be ready to go. “I am working hard to get back as soon as possible”.
Although negotiations spanned a large portion of the offseason, Murphy wasn’t concerned with the process and neither was Chayka, who said both sides budged a bit and were close on a deal from the outset. “Obviously the fairly serious knee injury he’s coming back from”. I love Arizona and my teammates and the future that we have with this team.
The Coyotes and Stone are eligible to begin negotiating an extension in January.
Murphy elevated his game last season, often pairing with all-star Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and led Team USA with three goals during this year’s world championships.
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In five seasons with the Coyotes, Stone has 87 points (23 goals, 64 assists) and 178 penalty minutes in 279 regular-season games and no points in two Stanley Cup Playoff games.
