Former 20 goal scorer takes professional tryout to keep NHL career alive
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Derek Stepan to a professional tryout, according to a report by CapFriendly.
Stepan, 32, spent the 2021�22 season with the Hurricanes, scoring nine goals and 19 points in 58 appearances during the regular season but only suited up in three playoff games. While his production has declined in recent years, he was still rather effective for the Hurricanes this season. He averaged 10:53 in ice time and was an outstanding 56% faceoff rate.
The Hurricanes paid Stepan a $1.35 million salary during the 2021�22 season. Now, he'll be competing just to make a team that already has Jordan Martinook, Ondrej Kase, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Jesper Fast signed to play in the bottom six.
With Max Pacioretty expected to miss six months while rehabbing a torn Achilles, there could be a bigger opportunity for Stepan to play significant minutes if he has a successful training camp.
In 817 career NHL regular-season games, Stepan has scored 177 goals and 504 points. He's added 20 goals and 54 points in 109 career playoff games with the Rangers, Coyotes, and Hurricanes.
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