The Colorado Avalanche start free agency by re-signing one of their trade deadline acquisitions
According to a report from Peter Baugh of The Athletic, the Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward Andrew Cogliano to a one-year contract. The deal will run through the 2022-23 season and will account for a $1.25 million cap hit.
$1.25 million cap hit for one year for Andrew Cogliano, I’m told. https://t.co/mOnTE3Z6L5
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 5, 2022
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Cogliano was a factor in the playoffs for the Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche traded for Cogliano with the San Jose Sharks at the 2022 trade deadline. It only cost them a 2024 fifth-round pick in exchange. The deal paid off, as Cogliano played a role in the Avs’ 2022 Stanley Cup victory. In the playoffs, he scored three goals and had three assists for six points in 16 games. While not mind-blowing numbers, his role was more on the defensive side of things. He played on the fourth line, the grinder line for the Avs.
Cogliano also played a key part on the main penalty kill unit. The Avs’ penalty kill posted an 80.4 percent kill in the postseason, and a stellar 89.5 percent during the Stanley Cup Final. Cogliano blocked shots and did a great job in forcing turnovers. The Avalanche got exactly what they needed from him. Now he’ll get a chance to help Colorado defend their title.
What this means for the Avs’ free agency
With Cogliano re-signed, the attention now turns to other important free agents for the Avalanche. Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin, and Darcy Kuemper are the key names Avs fans are watching. Cogliano’s deal is very cheap and only for one season, so it shouldn’t have much weight on Colorado’s cap. This move just solidifies the bottom six for the Avalanche. Cogliano has proven to fit into that role just fine. He had good chemistry with linemates Logan O’Connor and Darren Helm.
The Avalanche still have to address restricted free agents Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Artturi Lehkonen, another deadline acquisition. This signing is one checked off the list, but there’s still work to do.