Portland, ME — When free agency opened on Friday it didn’t take the Phoenix Coyotes long to jump into the fray by signing several players including Raffi Torres, Mike Smith and former Pirate Boyd Gordon.
On Saturday, Coyotes GM Don Maloney announced the signing of forward Alex Bolduc to a one-year, two-way contract.
Although, terms weren’t disclosed CapGeek.com have Bolduc earning $575,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL.
Maloney feels that Bolduc can push for a spot in the Coyotes lineup, but if not, will be added depth to an organization that is thin at the forward position.
“He’s a big strong player that we’ve watched for a number of years,” said Maloney. “We seem to be picking on the Vancouver organization, but they’ve got good players. I think he’s a guy who can challenge for spot and we’re excited to have him.”
Bolduc played last season in the Vancouver Canucks organization where he split time between the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose where he scored six goals, nine assist for 15 points in 26 games. He posted four points (2g, 2a) in 24 games with the Canucks.
The Montreal, Quebec native has a history of shoulder problems including a separated shoulder last season, but Maloney didn’t feel it would be concern moving forward.
“We’ve researched it,” he said. “It’s like any other injury. He’s coming along. He’s feeling great and we don’t drop the puck until October so we think by the time training camp opens. He’ll be fine.”
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Goaltending is priority for the Coyotes which they started to address on Friday with the signing of Mike Smith to a two-year deal worth four million dollars. Just think they could have had Tomas Vokoun for a steal at $1.5 million.
Maloney said that he’s still scouring the free agent market for a pair of goaltenders who would ultimately play in Portland.
“We’re still looking for two more goaltenders,” he said. “We’ve got our lines in the water for two (goaltenders) that we think will make a nice compliment to each other and will push to get to get to the NHL.”