Penguins forward Josh Archibald signed a two-year, one-way contract Wednesday that guarantees him a yearly salary of $675,000, the most he’s ever made as a professional hockey player.
It won’t be the best thing he’s done this summer.
Archibald and his wife, Bailey, are expecting their first child on Aug. 13. They’re choosing to be surprised by its sex and they’re spending the summer in Omaha, Neb. — they met at the University of Nebraska-Omaha — so Bailey can remain close to her doctor.
There’s been a consistent level of excitement for the young parents-to-be, and it got turned up a notch when Josh signed his new deal.
“It’s definitely a relief,” Archibald said by phone on Thursday afternoon. “To be able to get that one-way contract and have some guarantee-ness in your life … you don’t necessarily know where you’re going to be, but to have that amount, it’s pretty nice.”
The contract comes after Archibald, 24, played 10 NHL games this past season and four more in the postseason. One came in the Stanley Cup final, so he’ll get his name on the Cup.
Archibald scored three goals this season and provided a speedy, pain-in-the-rear presence on the fourth line. You can almost think of him as a poor man’s Carl Hagelin, although he’s significantly less poor after this deal.
Despite being listed at just 5 feet 10 inches and 176 pounds, Archibald plays a fairly physical game. That and his speed are two reasons why he’s a good bet to challenge for a top-12 role out of training camp, especially with the departure of Chris Kunitz.
“I’m pretty happy with what I’ve shown,” Archibald said. “I think they know what I bring to the table with my speed and tenacity. I don’t like to give up on too many things.”
Being stronger on the puck has been a focal point this summer for Archibald, in addition to improving his explosiveness.
“For me, maybe to be a little bit more consistent, be a little bit stronger on the puck, that will come,” Archibald said. “Hopefully it can get better, and hopefully I can improve on what I need to improve on.”
Growing his game has happened for Archibald under the tutelage of newly named assistant coach Mark Recchi. Along with Daniel Sprong, Archibald might be among the most qualified to speak about Recchi’s recent promotion.
To put it simply, Archibald is psyched.
“You just look at what he’s done as a player, let alone in the organization,” Archibald said. “There’s a reason he’s getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the best players — in my opinion — to ever play.
“Look at how he’s helped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Look at how many guys stepped up into the NHL and contributed right away. He had a factor in all of those guys in my opinion, working with them.
“For him to be up there and working with guys, I think it’s a good thing.”
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: July 13, 2017, 5:40 p.m.
