Flames re-sign Dillon Dube (3 years, $2.3 million AAV)

The last big piece of off-season restricted free agent work is done for the Calgary Flames. The club announced on Thursday that forward Dillon Dube has been re-signed to a three-year deal worth $2.3 million per season against the salary cap.

The fine folks at Evolving-Hockey projected a $2.399 million deal if Dube was signed for three seasons, so this is basically spot-on with what they estimated based on the market and Dube’s underlying metrics.

Dube, 23, was a second round selection by the Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft. (He was drafted with a pick they acquired from Dallas in the Kris Russell trade.) He was a standout with the Western League’s Kelowna Rockets, capturing a WHL crown and playing in the Memorial Cup in his first full season in the league. He played on two Canadian World Junior squads, capturing silver as a secondary player and then gold the following season as team captain.

As a pro, Dube’s established himself as a promising young player who could perhaps be even better with more consistency. He played in the NHL in each of his three entry-level seasons – playing 25, 45 and 51 NHL games respectively – and he has carved out a really nice niche for himself as a speedy forechecker who can be counted upon for offense. He had 11 goals and 22 points during the shortened 2020-21 season.

As Pat noted, Dube will be an RFA with arbitration rights when this deal expires following the 2023-24 season. He’ll require a $2.4 million qualifying offer that off-season.