6:15pm: The Coyotes have made the deal official, announcing the signing of Caggiula. The team also confirmed the reported one-year and one-way terms, but did not disclose financial details. New Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong called his latest addition a “hard-working, versatile forward and a strong skater” in the team’s release.
4:00pm: The Arizona Coyotes are expected to sign unrestricted free agent Drake Caggiula to a one-year deal according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet adds that the deal will likely be for $700K, a nice bargain for a useful depth player.
Caggiula, 26, was left unqualified by the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason, making him a UFA. He scored just 15 points in 40 games during the 2019-20 season, but nine of those were goals. The undrafted forward has shown a knack for scoring despite limited minutes, registering seasons of 13 and 12 goals previously.
A $700K salary will be less than half of what Caggiula made last year, another example of how the COVID-19 financial climate is affecting players on the fringes of NHL rosters. Where Caggiula really fits in Arizona isn’t clear, but with taxi squads, he is a perfect depth option for the league minimum.
You have to wonder, then, why “with taxi squads, he” wouldn’t also have been “a perfect depth option for the league minimum” for the Blackhawks.
Replaceable talent. Liked his grit, but Hawks have Shaw and other players I am sure they wanted to give a chance to play with Toews this year.
Caggiula will have to be paired with Nick Schmatlz at some point. They had great chemistry at North Dakota. I’m guessing mutual interest for this reason may be part of the rational for the signing. A lot of upside potential!