Lawson Crouse, Arizona Coyotes agree to 5-year extension

The Arizona Coyotes and forward Lawson Crouse reached a five-year contract extension ahead of his arbitration date set for Monday, the team announced.

According to SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman and PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan, it comes with an annual average value of $4.3 million.

“We are very pleased to sign Lawson to a long-term contract,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said in a release. “He is a big, strong, skilled power forward and we look forward to him being a big part of our future.”

Friedman reported last week that the initial filings before arbitration were a $2.5 million salary from the Coyotes and $4 million requested by Crouse.

Crouse, 25, is coming off a career year where he netted 20 goals for the Coyotes, the third-most on the team.

The forward added 14 assists to finish the season with 34 points, the most in his NHL career.

Crouse has seen his ice time climb every season with Arizona, averaging 17:26 per game last season.

His minutes have climbed due to Crouse’s ability to play in all situations. He turned into a premier penalty killer for the Coyotes but can also effectively contribute on the powerplay.

Crouse was just one of three Arizona skaters to score a shorthanded goal last season, while also adding seven points on the powerplay.

He developed a clutch gene down the stretch of the season for the Coyotes, scoring four game-winning goals, which tied center Nick Schmaltz for the most on the team.

The forward was never afraid to get in a dust-up either, spending 52 minutes in the penalty box last year, including dropping the gloves on multiple occasions.

The No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 entry draft by the Florida Panthers, Crouse has played all 346 of his NHL games in Arizona after being acquired on Aug. 25, 2016.

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