NHL veteran goaltender signs contract with a second team, leaving everyone with questions

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Josh Tupper
September 13, 2023 (1:43 PM)

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When a player puts pen to paper on a new contract, barring some extenuating circumstance that's usually the last you hear about it. But there are always exceptions to that rule. Today a rather strange situation surfaced after a veteran contract was announced to have signed a new contract.

Early this morning the New Jersey Devil's announced they'd signed a veteran backup goaltender to a deal. The Devils announced that they had signed Keith Kinkaid to a 1-year 2 way contact. The deal sees Kinkaid make 750K in the NHL and $350K in the AHL.

Welcome back 🚧!

We have signed goalie Keith Kinkaid to a one-year, two-way contract.

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While this announcement on it's own is not shocking, what did come as a surprise is that Kinkaid is already under contract with another team. Earlier this summer Kinkaid inked a 1-year deal with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.

Have to think this is a complete shock to the Chicago Wolves ��UNLESS there's an agreement in place where New Jersey assigns Kinkaid to Chicago instead of Utica.

Kinkaid inked an AHL contract with the Wolves earlier this summer.

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While this move gives the Devils some additional goaltending depth it will be interesting to see how this situation shakes out for the Wolves. For the upcoming season the Wolves have elected to NOT have an NHL affiliate and instead will build their own team.

Additional details have stated that Kinkaid will likely be assigned to the Wolves if he's not on the NHL roster, but this process makes things much more confusing. While it's been announced the Devils may have an agreement with the Wolves, what happens if Kinkaid is claimed off of waivers by another team? This situation could get extremely confusing and fast.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Ilya Samsonov unveils new tribute mask for Maple Leafs legend

Former 1st round pick terminates his own contract

12 season NHL vet hangs up his skates for the last time

POLL
SEPTEMBRE 13 \| 122 ANSWERS NHL veteran goaltender signs contract with a second team, leaving everyone with questions Should Kinkaid have been able to sign 2 contracts?
No, he's already committed	47	38.5 %
Yes, because one is an NHL deal	35	28.7 %
I'm not a lawyer 🤣	40	32.8 %
List of polls

NHL veteran goaltender signs contract with a second team, leaving everyone with questions

When a player puts pen to paper on a new contract, barring some extenuating circumstance that's usually the last you hear about it. But there are always exceptions to that rule. Today a rather strange situation surfaced after a veteran contract was announced to have signed a new contract.

Should Kinkaid have been able to sign 2 contracts?