Photo: Shmat Scouting
The Washington Capitals have signed forward Andrew Cristall to a three-year entry-level contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Cristall’s contract will carry an average annual value of $810,000 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the AHL.
The Capitals selected Cristall, 18, in the second round (40th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Cristall was ranked fifth among North American left wings and 15th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
The 5’10”, 175-pound forward spent the 2022-23 season with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), leading the team in goals (39), assists (56) and points (95). Cristall’s 1.76 points-per-game rate ranked fourth in the WHL, while his 95 points ranked tied for sixth. Cristall was named Kelowna’s team MVP and was selected to the WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team.
The #ALLCAPS signed '23 2nd Round Pick F Andrew Cristall to 3 year Entry Level
Year 1 775K NHL, 95K Signing Bonus, 80K GP Bonus, 82.5K Minors
Year 2 800/95/55/82.5
Year 3 855K/95/0/82.5Cap Hit 905K, AAV 950K
Rep'd by Murray Koontz @WD_sportsagency https://t.co/0Iioebd6Gu
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 6, 2023
During the 2021-22 season, Cristall set a Kelowna Rockets franchise record for goals by a 16-year-old (28) and tied the franchise record for points by a 16-year-old (69). In 129 career WHL games with Kelowna, Cristall has recorded 169 points (69g, 100a).
The Vancouver, British Columbia native won a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, finishing the tournament with six points (1g, 5a) in five games. In addition, Cristall served as an alternate captain at the 2023 Under-18 World Championship, where he registered six points (2g, 4a) in seven games and helped Canada to the bronze medal.
Well, THAT didn’t take long…
Hopefully they aren’t moving too quick. That 3-year deal to Ludwig Persson on last day of development camp last July is looking foolish so far.
What’s the point of these early signings before they are ready/able to play in the NHL/AHL?
I guess Leonard doesn’t get a deal because he is heading to College