Forward had 29 points in 78 games with Arizona and Oilers last season
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Nick Bjugstad signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Financial terms were not announced.
The 30-year-old forward had signed a one-year contract with the Coyotes on July 13, 2022, and had 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists) in 78 regular-season games for the Edmonton Oilers and Coyotes last season, including six points (four goals, two assists) in 19 games after he was acquired in a trade March 2.
Bjugstad had three goals in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games for Edmonton.
He said among the reasons for wanting to come back to Arizona was the chance to play again for coach Andre Tourigny.
"He's a great coach," Bjugstad said. "I enjoyed playing for him and that was a huge reason for me. Coming to the rink every day, learning, getting better as an individual and as a team. I definitely want to keep expanding my game, growing it. I'm a little older now but I still feel like under 'Bear's' coaching and his style I can continue to get better and get better with the team.
"Obviously Arizona is a good spot to live but the No. 1 choice was I think this team is headed in the right direction. I had good conversation with Billy Armstrong (general manager). Sounds like we're going to take the next step and I'd like to be part of that and contribute in whatever way I can."
Selected by the Florida Panthers in the first round (No. 19) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Bjugstad has 266 points (127 goals, 139 assists) in 618 regular-season games for the Oilers, Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins and Panthers, and eight points (six goals, two assists) in 27 playoff games.
"We are very pleased to have Nick rejoin the Coyotes," Arizona general manager Bill Armstrong said. "He is a reliable two-way center, a good leader, and a great teammate. We look forward to having him back on our roster again this season."
The Coyotes also signed forward Jason Zucker and defenseman Troy Stecher, each to a one-year contract, and forward Alexander Kerfoot to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not announced for those signings either.
Zucker, 31, had 48 points (27 goals, 21 assists) in 78 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.
Stecher, 29, had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 81 games with the Coyotes and Calgary Flames. Arizona traded him to Calgary on March 3.
Kerfoot, 28, had 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also had two goals in 11 playoff games.
