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Colorado Avalanche Free Agency Profile: Magnus Paajarvi

By Nadia Archuleta

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 29: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) skates by the bench to celebrate a goal during third period National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 29: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) skates by the bench to celebrate a goal during third period National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche love to sign reclamation projects during Free Agency Frenzy. Might they give Magnus Paajarvi a chance?

The Colorado Avalanche have always loved to give players a second chance. Time and again, they sign players who had difficulty fitting in with other teams, hoping they might be a better fit. When GM Joe Sakic first took over, he handed out three-year contracts, and those came back to haunt the team.

In recent years, he’s been better about handing out one-year show-me contracts. Maybe this year he’ll offer one of those to forward Magnus Paajarvi, who’s a pending unrestricted free agent from the Ottawa Senators.

Let’s see what Magnus Paajarvi brings to the table.

Magnus Paajarvi

Age: 27
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 208 lbs.
Position: Left wing
Shoots: Left
Previous Contract: 1 year, AAV $700,000

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Previous Team: Ottawa Senators, picked up on waivers from St. Louis Blues

Left wing Magnus Paajarvi is a perennial reclamation project. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2009, tenth-overall. We all know how the Oilers are about drafting.

The Oilers traded Paajarvi and a second rounder to the St. Louis Blues in July 2013, in exchange for left winger David Perron, currently of the Vegas Golden Knights. The Blues placed Paajarvi on waivers twice — the second time, in January 2018, the Ottawa Senators claimed him.

Paajarvi, who hails for Sweden, was once scouted as a “speedy and skilled winger.” He’s known for having “top-notch” acceleration and a drive to the net. He was also scouted for his agility, stick skills, and “above-average” hockey sense.

In the NHL, he’s still known as an excellent skater with “both power and acceleration.” While he’s lacked consistency at the NHL level, he shoots effectively at high speeds. What’s interesting is he’s got a decent amount of two-way play.

In 387 NHL games, Magnus Paajarvi has 105 points — 51 goals and 54 assists.

Magnus Paajarvi scores against the Minnesota Wild, of which I highly approve:

Magnus Paajarvi and the Colorado Avalanche

It’s almost like Magnus Paajarvi is Nail Yakupov 2.0. Like Yakupov, his best year was his rookie year (15 goals, 19 assists). Like Yakupov, Paajarvi is known for being inconsistent within his skill set.

And like Yakupov, Paajarvi is bound to come at bargain basement prices. His last contract was one year at $700,000. The Colorado Avalanche could well afford that.

I can see the Avalanche giving Paajarvi one of those one-year, show-me contracts. If they can squeeze him for some of his skill, which aligns so well with their vision, the team will be in a better place as they continue their rebuild.

And if Paajarvi turns out to be another bust? They risk little. Like Yakupov, he can ride the pine while the youngsters continue to develop.

Other Free Agency Profiles:

Free Agency Frenzy starts July 1. Last year Colorado signed four players on July 1st — goalie Joe Cannata, defenseman David Warsofsky, left wing Andrew Agozzino, and of course goalie Jonathan Bernier. They also signed Nail Yakupov on July 4.

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