Utah signs Kerfoot, Cole to 1-year extensions

The Utah Hockey Club signed forward Alexander Kerfoot and defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year contract extensions, the team announced Wednesday.

Kerfoot's deal has a cap hit of $3 million, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Cole's contract is worth $3 million total, with $2.8 million coming in base salary and $200,000 as a games-played performance bonus, reports TSN's Chris Johnston. Cole receives $50,000 at 40 games, another $50,000 at 50 contests, and an additional $100,000 if he reaches 65 games played next season, according to PuckPedia.

Both players were set to become unrestricted free agents this summer.

Kerfoot has seven goals and 16 points in 61 games this season. He tallied 13 goals and 45 points last year with the Arizona Coyotes.

"Alex is an important leader for our group with his versatility on the ice and leadership off the ice, and we look forward to having his continued contribution as we fight down the stretch to make the playoffs," Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said.

The 30-year-old is in the final season of a two-year pact signed in 2023. He currently has a cap hit of $3.5 million.

Kerfoot notched a career-high 51 points in 2021-22 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has 94 goals and 280 points in 585 career games.

Cole has 13 points and 53 penalty minutes in 61 games, and he's played a career-high 20:37 per contest. He signed a one-year pact with Utah last summer worth $3.1 million.

"Ian's championship pedigree, work ethic, and leadership on and off the ice are valuable assets to our group, and we're thrilled to have him remain with our organization," Armstrong said.