The Colorado Avalanche were active on July 1st, making four signings and completing a big trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their most significant move of the offseason is yet to come though, as they still have Mikko Rantanen to resign. Here’s a recap of their day and a short write-up on each player.
- Joonas Donskoi, F. Donskoi was signed to a four-year contract worth $15.6 million ($3.9 million AAV). In 80 games played for the San Jose Sharks last season, he recorded 14 goals and 23 assists. He also appeared in 12 playoff games for the team, in which he tallied one goal and two assists. Drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, Donskoi has appeared in 283 career NHL games, during which he has produced 45 goals and 77 assists. The 27-year-old right wing is leaving the only organization he has known over his four-season NHL career in the Sharks.
- Colin Wilson, F. Wilson was resigned to a one-year, $2.6 million contract. In 65 games for the Avalanche last season, he produced 12 goals and 15 assists. He also appeared in 12 playoff games for the team, tallying four goals and four assists. Drafted seventh overall of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators, Wilson has appeared in 623 career NHL games, in which he has recorded 113 goals and 169 assists. The 29-year-old center is on his third organization over his ten-season NHL career.
- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, F. Bellemare was signed to a two-year contract worth $3.6 million ($1.8 million AAV). In 76 games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season, he tallied six goals and nine assists. He also appeared in six playoff games for the team, but he put up zero points in them. Signed by the Philadelphia Flyers as an undrafted free agent before the 2014-15 season, Bellemare has appeared in 385 career NHL games, during which he has produced 29 goals and 36 assists. The 34-year-old center is on his third team over his five-season NHL career.
- Nikita Zadorov, D. Zadorov was resigned to a one-year contract worth $3.2 million on July 5th. In 70 games played for the Avs last season, he recorded seven goals and seven assists. He then appeared in 12 playoff games for the team, but he put up zero points in them. Drafted 16th overall of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Zadorov has appeared in 292 career NHL games, during which he has produced 18 goals and 44 assists. The 24-year-old defenseman played for the Sabres for two seasons before coming over to Colorado, where he has spent the past four seasons.
This post will be updated if and when the team makes any more signings.
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