LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 23: Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche skates on the ice during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Check here for the latest 2022 NHL free agency news for the Colorado Avalanche.
The Colorado Avalanche have been busy since winning the Stanley Cup. While they had just two picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, selecting defenseman Chris Romaine and goaltender Ivan Zhigalov, they have been busy trying to work on contracts for their own in-house free agents. What will the team do during the 2022 NHL Free Agency?
A difference this time around is that it’s not just Joe Sakic’s time to shine. The team promoted Sakic to President of Hockey Operations and Chris McFarland to General Manager.
The biggest one so far is the extension for Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin has been a vital part of the Avalanche’s success since joining the team in 2019. He’s sticking around on an 8-year extension.
Another big move the team made was the re-signing of center iceman Andrew Cogliano to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.
What we are expecting the Colorado Avalanche to do…
The big thing that Avalanche fans will be keeping an eye on is the breaking news that the team agreed to a contract extension for Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon has said that he would take a discount to remain with the Avalanche, but as many have said, a discount for MacKinnon would actually be a pretty significant pay raise for most other players.
Other than that, we should not expect a major move as it comes down to other teams’ big free agents. They will likely just figure out a spot here and there.
2022 NHL Free Agency: Colorado Avalanche signings
The first move of the day just before free agency kicks off comes from Elliott’s Friedman, announcing that the Avalanche are keeping Andrew Cogliano for another year:
Could the Colorado Avalanche be preparing to move one of their veteran defensemen? The team has just signed Brad Hunt to a two-year deal. Hunt was most recently with the Vancouver Canucks:
Per @DhaliwalSports, Avs have signed veteran left shot D Brad Hunt to two-year deal
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 19: Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 19, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
Where Colorado Avalanche free agents end up if not re-signed…
The Colorado Avalanche appear to be moving on from Andre Burakovsky, with the Detroit Redwings, New Jersey Devils, and Seattle Kraken as potential landing spots.
Colorado did not make a qualifying offer to Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and now he has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs:
The Washington Capitals have signed former Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper was not expected back with the team after they traded for a goaltender and also traded one:
NEW TENDIE IN TOWN!
The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a five-year, $26.25 million contract.#ALLCAPS | @FTX_Official
On Thursday, former Avalanche forward Dylan Sikura decided to move back to his first NHL home, signing with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dylan Sikura is returning to the Blackhawks on a one-year deal, per sources. He played in five NHL games with the Avalanche last season and had 73 points in 60 games in the AHL.
