Jack Dugan ELC Could Be Coming Soon

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Though games are halted, the business of hockey continues on. Over the past few days, both the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings have signed contracts with draft picks that were playing in the NCAA.

K’Andre Miller (NYR) and Alex Turcotte (LAK) each signed entry-level contracts after their college seasons wrapped up at the University of Wisconsin. Both players’ contracts will begin for the 2020-21 season.

When the NCAA made the decision to cancel the remainder of all winter and spring sports, it meant the end of his sophomore season for Golden Knights prospect Jack Dugan. Dugan led all of college hockey in points and is the favorite to win the NCAA’s top award, the Hobey Baker.

After being selected in the 5th round of the 2017 NHL Draft (142nd overall), Dugan played a season in the USHL before heading off to college. In his two years at Providence, Dugan put up 91 points in 75 games, more than any player in the NCAA over that time.

Dugan said earlier this year that he wants “dominate” the level he’s currently playing at before moving on to the next one. With the points lead in hand and the Hobey Baker soon to follow, it appears he’s accomplished that goal.

Dugan is eligible to play for the Golden Knights this season, assuming it is to resume, as well as during the playoffs. However, if he does so, it will burn up one of the three years of his entry-level contract. With the uncertainty of the current times and the Golden Knights history of “over-cooking” prospects, it’s much more likely that Dugan’s contract would begin in 2020-21. The contract is expected to be a three-year, two-way deal with an NHL salary of around $925,000 AVV and performance and signing bonuses.

Now it’s up to Dugan and the Golden Knights to ink that deal. As long as the league still allows it during the pause, it should come much sooner than later.