“Play key positions for us” – Carolina Hurricanes want to re-sign free agent forwards Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter

“Play key positions for us” – Carolina Hurricanes want to re-sign free agent forwards Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter

Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter

The Carolina Hurricanes expressed their wish to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent forwards Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter ahead of the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) season. Both Trocheck and Niederreiter played a key role in their side going 54-20-8 and winning the Metropolitan Division. 

Trocheck had 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 81 regular-season games and 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The 28-year-old ice hockey player from Pennsylvania signed a six-year, $28.5 million contract ($4.75 million average annual value) with the Florida Panthers in 2016 and was traded to Carolina in February 2020.

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On the other hand, Niederreiter had 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) in 75 regular-season games and four goals and one assist in 14 playoff games to his name. The Swiss ice hockey winger signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract ($5.25 AAV) with the Minnesota Wild in 2017 before being traded to Carolina on January 17, 2019. 

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“Certainly hope they are both back” 

Carolina Hurricanes players
Carolina Hurricanes players

“We certainly hope they are both back, but it takes two sides,” general manager Don Waddell said on Thursday, as quoted by NHL.com. “But I will have more dialogue with their agents in the next little bit and see where they’re at. Those guys play key positions for us up front and key roles. It’s in our best interest to see if we can bring them both back.”

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“We want to get ‘Tro’ back, there’s no doubt about it,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s a great player and great for us, so that’s the priority.” 

“The offensive abilities were there, but actually his defense was great as well,” Brind’Amour said. “The most important thing for me is what he means to the group in the locker room. They all appreciate who he is and how he is and what he does. He was great for us.”

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