The Arizona Coyotes signed Dysin Mayo to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mayo could prove to be an important depth signing for the Coyotes in future seasons.
Mayo, 23, was a fifth-round pick in 2014. The Canadian-born defenseman spent the past three full seasons with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. In 58 games this past season, Mayo was plus-24 while putting up 12 points (4 goals). That’s a promising showing from the blueliner, and the top plus/minus numbers on the Roadrunners this season.
Arizona is well-equipped on the defensive end, allowing 2.47 goals per game, the fourth-best mark in the league. That said, they have a number of blueliners facing unrestricted free agency following the 2020-2021 season. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Alex Goligoski, Aaron Ness, Jason Demers and Jordan Oesterle could all leave as free agents after next season. Keeping Mayo in the fold gives Arizona valuable insurance and cost efficiency as they look to build out their defensive unit in an uncertain environment. The salary cap isn’t likely to go up for at least two seasons, though the final numbers won’t be finalized until the NHL and NHLPA officially come to a return-to-play agreement.