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Vancouver Canucks' Daniel Sprong discloses early NHL free agency struggles before signing $975,000 contract
Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sprong recently shared his experience of early NHL free agency struggles before securing a new contract. Sprong finalized a one-year deal worth $975,000 with the Canucks last week.
Reflecting on the process, Sprong mentioned that initially, he had a clear idea of what they were seeking, but that didn't materialize in the first few days of negotiations.
Despite the initial challenges, Daniel Sprong emphasized the importance of finding a situation that would bring him a favorable opportunity for his career growth. During an interview, the Vancouver Canucks forward said (via Canucks Army):
"It was a little hectic the first few days,” said Sprong. “I think my camp and I had an idea what we were looking for and that kind of didn’t really happen on the first few days.
"Then I just thought the biggest thing was for me to be in a situation where I could be happy and where it’d be a good opportunity for me.”
Sprong faced delays in finalizing a team to join, but after weighing multiple options, he decided to commit to the Vancouver Canucks.
Sprong disclosed that a significant factor in his decision was a phone call he received from Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. Notably, Tocchet served as an assistant coach while Sprong was with the Penguins during the 2015-16 season.
“I talked to Vancouver and spoke to coach Toc and we had a really good conversation on the phone ... We had a really good talk, and I felt really happy after that call, and the decision was a no-brainer after that."
Before joining the Canucks at this year's free agency, the 27-year-old played for the Detroit Red Wings in the previous season. He accumulated 43 points through 18 goals and 25 assists.
Daniel Sprong hopes to play for Vancouver Canucks beyond one year
Sprong expressed his desire to establish a long-term connection with the Vancouver Canucks beyond the upcoming season. He conveyed his optimism about the potential for an extended stay with the team, stating:
"I’m hoping Vancouver is not a one-year thing. That’s something with the talks we had, it’s somewhere that I could see myself being here long term and that’s really what excited me…
"I wanted to put myself in a situation where I can be happy and be in a situation where an opportunity is and be a part of a good team and an opportunity for me to be somewhere long term."
Sprong was drafted No. 46 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2015 NHL draft. He has accumulated 159 points through 85 goals and 74 assists in 344 career games.
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