Colorado Avalanche: Evaluating Potential Contracts for Kerfoot and Compher

The Colorado Avalanche will have to decide what level of contracts to offer to their two main RFA forwards, Alexander Kerfoot and JT Compher.

The Colorado Avalanche have a lot of expiring contracts this year. They have a mixture of both unrestricted and restricted free agents coming up.

Two of the latter, RFAs, are Alexander Kerfoot and J.T. Compher. Unlike some of the other pending free agents, I believe their immediate futures are with the Avalanche. In other words, I believe Colorado will — and should — make qualifying offers to both.

Now, what might those qualifying offers look like? Well, interestingly, A.J. Haefele of BSN Avalanche thinks one or both will go to salary arbitration. I don’t have a feel for that situation either way, but I will mention that it’s worked out quite well for Matthew Nieto twice.

Anyway, let’s look at what each player brings to the table and what he might receive in return.

Alexander Kerfoot

Position: Center
Age: 24
2018-19 Stats: 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 78 games; 3 points (3 assists) in 12 playoff games
All-Time NHL Stats: 85 points (34 goals, 51 assists) in 157 games; 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 18 playoff games.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired Alexander Kerfoot in free agency in 2017. He was drafted by New Jersey in 2012, but after completing four years of college, he became an unrestricted free agent.

Kerfoot has shown some improvement in his advanced metrics. His CorsiFor% was 48.2 his rookie season and 51.7 last season. He went from 1.3 to 2.7 in CorsiFor Relative.

Kerfoot has been a reliable forward for the Avs, having scored 40+ points both years. He has the speed, hockey IQ, and overall playmaking that the team favors. The coaches have even moved him up and down the lineup, thus showing their confidence.

Current Contract: 2 years ELC, $925,000 cap hit, $1,137,500 AAV
Expected Contract: 3 years Standard, $1.8 to $2.25 million

I looked at the Columbus Blue Jackets since that’s a team the Avs like to model after. Josh Anderson is a comparable player, and he’s currently under a three-year contract with a $1.85 million cap hit.

I also looked at comparable contracts on Cap Friendly. Players such as Ryan Dzingel and Melker Karlsson are similar type players who are in that contract range.

JT Compher

Position: Left wing
Age: 24
2018-19 Stats: 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 6 games; 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 12 playoff games
All-Time NHL Stats: 60 points (32 goals, 28 assists) in 156 games; 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 18 playoff games

More from Mile High Sticking

The Colorado Avalanche acquired the rights to then-college player JT Compher as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade. Compher completed three years at the University of Michigan before signing with the Avs after the 2015-16 season. He spent the majority of the 2016-17 season with the San Antonio Rampage, though he played 21 games with the Avs.

Kerfoot is more of a flashy player than a solid stats guy. In his three seasons, his CorsiFor% is 47.6 and CorsiFor Relative is -2.3. Yet he’s the player who scores short-handed and overtime goals. He even has a Gordie Howe Hat Trick to his name.

I feel like Compher is more part of the Avalanche’s long-term plans than Kerfoot. He provides a more well-rounded game, especially on his defense. Compher sees time on both the penalty kill and the power play.

Current Contract: 3 years ELC, $925,000 cap hit, $1 million AAV
Expected Contract: 3 years Standard, $1.8 to $2.25 million

I went into this post thinking JT Compher might make a bit more than Kerfoot in his new contract, maybe as high as $3 million. I’m just not sure his stats support that. I think it will depend on how the team views his future with the team.

If I had to guess, I’d say this might be the contract that goes to arbitration, though hopefully both sides settle before the hearing.

Kerfoot Steps in for Rantanen. dark. Next

I feel confident in having Alexander Kerfoot and JT Compher as part of the Colorado Avalanche’s foundation moving forward. I believe the Avs’ front offices will feel the same way.

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