Mike Smith has re-signed with the Phoenix Coyotes for 6 years. The deal is said to be for $34 million, carrying a $5.67 million annual cap hit. The Phoenix Coyotes starting goalie was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th.
The deal makes Smith tied with Oliver Ekman-Larsson as the highest cap hit players on the Coyotes. Shane Doan comes in third with a $5.3 million annual cap hit.
Smith was originally signed by the Coyotes as a free agent in 2011, replacing the departing Ilya Bryzgalov as the Coyotes starting netminder. Smith was stellar in 2011-12 leading the Coyotes to a Pacific Division title and 3rd place in the Western Conference. He was 38-18-10 with a 2.21 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He also took the Coyotes to the Western Conference Final, their best ever playoff result.
Last season the 31-year-old Smith appeared in 34 games for the Coyotes, with a 15-12-5 record, and a 2.58 GAA and .910 save percentage. He also played for Team Canada at the 2013 World Hockey Championships.
Smith has also played for the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning in his 7 year NHL career.
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