Avs add depth at F, sign Rodrigues for 1-yr., $2M

DENVER — The Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche added extra depth at ahead by signing Evan Rodrigues to a one-year, $2 million deal on Monday.

The transfer comes on the heels of dropping Nazem Kadri in free company to Calgary. The Avalanche are banking that Rodrigues may also help fill the void.

Rodrigues arrives within the Mile Excessive Metropolis after a season in Pittsburgh, the place he set profession highs with 19 objectives and 24 assists. Rodrigues was the lone Penguins participant to skate in each recreation final season.

“We’re excited so as to add a two-way participant with Evan’s versatility to our group,” Avalanche normal supervisor Chris MacFarland mentioned in a press release. “He’s coming off his greatest offensive season and has proven he can play in quite a lot of roles and assist a lineup in some ways.”

It has been a busy offseason for the Avalanche since beating the Tampa Bay Lightning within the Stanley Cup Remaining in June as they hoisted the trophy for the primary time since 2001. Among the many strikes, they introduced again defenseman Josh Manson, together with signing left wingers Artturi Lehkonen and Darren Helm. In addition they signed proper winger Valeri Nichushkin to a contract extension, retained ahead Andrew Cogliano and traded for goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.

Rodrigues, 29, has performed in 316 profession NHL video games in his time with Pittsburgh and Buffalo, the crew that signed him as a free agent in April 2015. Earlier than turning professional, he performed at Boston College, the place he helped the Terriers to the 2015 NCAA championship recreation earlier than dropping to Windfall.

After spending time hanging out with the Stanley Cup all summer season, the Avalanche get again to work this week with rookie camp.