Jack McBain is officially a member of the Arizona Coyotes for at least the next two years. With an arbitration date set, the Coyotes and McBain avoided arbitration to agree on a two year contract with a $1.6 million AAV.
Arizona and Jack McBain have a 2x$1.6M settlement, avoiding arbitration
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 30, 2023
Jack McBain Stays in the Desert
The Coyotes and Jack McBain are staying together as the young forward will look to build on his solid rookie season and help the Coyotes this upcoming season. Arizona traded a 2022 second-round pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for the rights to McBain in March of 2022. The Coyotes signed him to a two-year deal which began the 2021-22 season. This left him as a restricted free agent this offseason with arbitration rights due to his age and seasons played.
The former Boston College centre was a bright spot on an otherwise fairly underwhelming Coyotes team last season. The six-foot, 201 pounds forward put up 12 goals and 14 assists for 36 points in 82 games. This was all done at even strength. His 12.2 expected goals closely matched his 12 goals scored as well. On the physical side, McBain brought an edge to the Coyotes and led the team with 304 hits, over 100 more than the second leading hitter on the team.
What this Means Moving Forward
With uncertainty looming over the Arizona Coyotes future, locking up promising and productive pieces is a positive for the team. McBain might not have the star power of someone like Clayton Keller, but he provides the Coyotes with a nice option down the middle. He showed some promise in his rookie season and also brought a physical element to the team. If he can keep progressing he could become a nice top-six option for the Coyotes. Much like after being drafted, its what a player does moving forward that really matters. McBain will have that opportunity with the Coyotes.
Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
