NHL Offseason Tracker: Busy Week for Former Wolverines in Free Agency
10/16/2020 10:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Phillip Di Giuseppe (Oct. 13)
Phillip Di Giuseppe agreed to terms with the New York Rangers. The one-year deal is worth $700,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 in the minors. He split this past season between the Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. In 20 games played with the Rangers, Di Giuseppe had four points and New York went 12-7-1. He was ranked third in the AHL in shots on goal, and had 14 goals and 12 assists when he was recalled by the Rangers on Feb. 2. Di Giuseppe has skated in 170 NHL games (Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Rangers) and has 45 points and 68 penalty minutes. Di Giuseppe was a second-round selection by Carolina in the 2012 draft.
Jack Johnson (Oct. 9)
Jack Johnson signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the New York Rangers. Johnson played in 67 games this season with Pittsburgh Penguins and had 11 points. He led the organization in blocked shots with 97 and led all Pens defensemen in hits with 183. Johnson also supported the Pittsburgh penalty killing unit that ranked eighth in the NHL at 82.1 percent. Johnson has played in 937 career games (Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins) and has scored 70 goals and 232 assists for 302 points. The No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson earned a silver medal with Team USA at the 2010 Olympics.
Jon Merrill (Oct. 9)
Jon Merrill signed a one-year, $925,000 agreement with the Detroit Red Wings. This past season with the Vegas Golden Knights, Merrill had seven points and had an assist in his lone postseason appearance. In 2018-19, he had career-best numbers with 15 points, a +16 on-ice rating and 53 penalty minutes. A second-round selection by New Jersey in the 2010 draft, Merrill played four seasons with the Devils (2013-17) before joining Vegas via the NHL expansion draft. In 356 career games (Devils, Golden Knights) Merrill has scored 12 goals and 49 assists while logging 195 penalty minutes.
Tyler Motte (Oct. 9)
Tyler Motte re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks, inking a a two-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.225 million. This season, he appeared in 34 games and had eight points and 10 penalty minutes. He made his postseason debut this year playing in 17 games, netting five points and playing a key role on the team's penalty kill. Motte set a franchise record for most blocked shots in a playoff game (seven) while also scoring twice in a game. Motte has played in 187 career games (Columbus Blue Jackets, Canucks), recording 38 points and 40 penalty minutes. Motte was a fourth-round selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 draft.
Remaining Michigan Free Agents
• Matt Hunwick (Buffalo Sabres): Group 3 (age 27 or older with at least seven seasons)
• Boo Nieves: Group 6 (age 25 or older with expired contracts and have played three seasons)
• Tony Calderone (Dallas Stars): Unrestricted Free Agent (not tendered a qualifying offer, not subject to right to match or draft compensation
