Coyotes sign Stone to 1-year contract worth reported $4M, avoid arbitration

The Arizona Coyotes and defenseman Michael Stone have avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract.

The deal is worth $4 million, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Stone, 26, appeared in 75 games for the Coyotes this past season, recording a career-high 30 assists and 36 total points. He also led the team with 143 blocked shots.

A restricted free agent prior to the new agreement, Stone carried an average annual valuation of $1.15 million in each of the past three seasons.

An arbitration hearing was scheduled for Aug. 4.

With Stone at 1 yr @ $4M, #Coyotes have $6.34M in cap space with roster of 11F/8D/2G + Datsyuk, Pronger.https://t.co/CpmyBFl7uZ

- General Fanager (@generalfanager) July 28, 2016

Tobias Rieder remains Arizona's lone restricted free agent.

Copyright (C) 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.