Colorado Avalanche Extend Keaton Middleton

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Keaton Middleton to a contract extension by the 2024-25 season, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic. PuckPedia reports that the two-way deal will carry a mean annual worth of $775K within the NHL, $250K within the AHL, and features a minor league assure of $300K.

The 25-year-old was a fourth-round decide of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016. At 6-foot-6 and 240 kilos, Middleton is a robust, defensive defenceman who’s at the moment taking part in for the Colorado Eagles. He has scored three objectives and 20 factors in 57 video games this season, already setting profession highs in assists and factors in his fifth AHL season.

The Edmonton, Alberta native secures a two-year contract, giving him a bit of economic safety and profession stability as he continues to grind within the minor leagues. Middleton has performed in three NHL contests in his profession, suiting up for a trio of video games late within the 2020-21 season with the Avalanche. He has develop into one of the vital trusted defenders on the Eagles roster, and is only one level again of Brad Hunt for the crew lead in factors by a blueliner.

Given his age, Middleton would have certified for Group VI unrestricted free company this summer season. As an alternative, he’ll stick with the Colorado group and attempt to earn one other likelihood within the NHL.