Scottie Upshall Signs

One year at $1.5MM.

A fair compromise. Upshall and his agents pointed to his 8 goals in 19 games as a taste of what will happen with the player getting top 6 ice time and opportunities. GMDM obviously took the position that Upshall's larger body of work (46 goals in 230 games over parts of 6 seasons) is more reflective of where his compensation should fall.

The sides agreed on a one year contract which still leaves Upshall one year short of unrestricted free agency. If he produces big this year, the Yotes will have a window to sign him to a longer term contract or trade him before he becomes a UFA.

We'll be interested to see how this works. Upshall was envisioned as a potential 30 goal scorer when he was drafted 6th by Nashville in 2002. He's not developed as a scorer but he is an honest two way player who is also valued as a team leader and locker room presence. Our sources in Philadelphia told us that when he was traded this spring, all of the air came out of the Flyers locker room.

Worst case, he's a valuable third line banger. Best case he's a late bloomer who finds his goalscoring touch and becomes a bona fide power forward. In either case, he's a Coyote for at least one more year.

The Yotes also signed organization goaltender Josh Tordjman to a one year contract.