Coyotes sign Lawson Crouse to five-year, $21.5 million deal

Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse originally had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday but instead has put pen to paper on a new agreement with his employer. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and the NHL's official website, Crouse has signed a five-year contract to remain with the Coyotes. While financial details of the agreement weren't disclosed, TSN reports that the 25-year-old will earn $21.5 million on a deal that carries an average annual value of $4.3 million. 

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

Crouse enjoyed a career 2021-22 season and notched personal bests of 20 goals and 14 assists across 65 games. Per the AP, Crouse also led Arizona with 181 hits during the campaign. 

Crouse initially joined the Coyotes via a 2016 trade from the Florida Panthers and has accumulated 56 goals and 54 assists in 346 NHL regular-season games. He's added two goals in nine Stanley Cup Playoff matchups. 

Crouse had been a restricted free agent following the expiration of a three-year, $4.6 million contract.