During an offseason that has been rough for the Chicago Wolves, any amount of good news is welcome. The team has already lost two critical pieces from their Western Conference champion team, and they might be losing a young Russian to the KHL for this season, so they could really use a win. They might have gotten one on Friday morning.
Before the Hurricanes officially revealed the news, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey announced that Viktor Neuchev was returning to the organization on a one-year, two-way deal. The extension pays him $850k in the NHL and $90k in the AHL. It's his first contract after his entry-level deal expired, with the Canes extending a qualifying offer to retain his signing rights.
Drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, Neuchev has spent his entire North American career in the AHL. He spent two seasons with the Rochester Americans and began the year in the Sabres organization before being moved to the Hurricanes in a small minor league move for Gavin Bayreuther in January.
His transition to the Wolves wasn't very smooth, scoring just nine points in 30 games with Chicago, but he ended the regular season on a three-game point streak, leading some to think that he could finally get rolling during the postseason. He nearly matched his production, scoring six points in 21 games, including the overtime-winning goal in Game 4 to extend the Calder Cup Final.
With Neuchev's contract handled, there are four players still listed as RFAs for the Wolves. Noel Gunler has signed in Sweden, leaving Justin Robidas, Cayden Primeau, and Ronan Seeley, whose arbitration date is set for July 29. There is still plenty of work for the team to do, with the forward group still looking very bare. Getting Neuchev was re-signed helps to improve that situation.
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