The Jets are poised to obtain the rights to sign restricted free agent defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Hurricanes, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Coghlan, aged 26, entered the professional scene in 2017 when he was signed to an entry-level contract by the Golden Knights despite going undrafted. After progressing through the ranks in Vegas, he transitioned to a taxi squad role for the 2020-21 season, notably avoiding any stints in the minor leagues.
Subsequently, he played 88 games for the Knights over the next two seasons, primarily serving as an additional defenseman. However, his time in Nevada concluded when he was included in the deal that saw Max Pacioretty move to the Hurricanes in the summer of 2022.
The Hurricanes valued him enough to extend a qualifying offer and sign him to a one-way contract worth $850,000 last summer, leading many to expect he would be on their opening night roster. However, he did not make the team out of training camp and was subsequently placed on waivers in October.
Due to the Hurricanes not having a dedicated AHL affiliate last season, he found a temporary home on loan with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the primary affiliate of the Blues.
Throughout the season, Coghlan received a couple of call-ups, resulting in a single appearance for Carolina, but he primarily focused on making a comeback to the NHL while playing for the Thunderbirds. The defenseman, born in British Columbia, participated in 61 games for the T-Birds, earning a spot in the All-Star Game and leading all AHL defensemen in goals with 16. He also contributed 25 assists, accumulating a total of 41 points, surpassing his previous career high of 40 points set in his first professional season.
He hopes to use his impressive performance and his 6-foot-2, 207-pound physique to secure a place on the Jets’ roster in the upcoming season, provided that he agrees to a new contract. Winnipeg is seeking to bolster their defensive options after losing Brenden Dillon to the Devils through free agency and buying out Nate Schmidt. The team has already acquired veteran Colin Miller, who will be Coghlan’s main competition for playing time as both are right-handed defensemen. It is expected that they will share playing time in the lower defensive pairings behind Dylan DeMelo and Neal Pionk.
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