Report: Utah signs Vejmelka to 5-year, $23.75M contract

The Utah Hockey Club signed goaltender Karel Vejmelka to a five-year contract carrying an average annual value of $4.75 million, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Vejmelka was a pending unrestricted free agent, and his new deal is a notable jump from the $2.725-million cap hit he's carried the past three seasons. The 28-year-old is in the midst of a career year, posting a .910 save percentage in 38 appearances while ranking eighth among all goalies with 20.97 goals saved above expected, per Evolving-Hockey.

Utah also employs Connor Ingram, who was the team's primary starter last season, under contract through 2026. Utah's now projected to have over $17.25 million in financial flexibility this offseason.

Vejmelka was a fifth-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in 2015. He signed with the then Arizona Coyotes in 2021 and has played 178 NHL games since. Each of his first three campaigns featured save percentages under .900.

Utah is four points back of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 21 games remaining.