The Avalanche have sent left-shot defenseman Corey Schueneman back to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, per a team release. Doing so frees up a roster spot for the Avs, who now have 21 out of the maximum 23 players on the NHL roster and have exactly $2MM remaining in their LTIR pool.
Colorado signed Schueneman to a one-year, two-way contract when free agency opened on July 1. The undrafted defender spent most of last season in the minors but saw seven games of NHL ice with the Canadiens in the back half of 2022-23. Those appearances brought his NHL total to 31 after he appeared in 24 games on the injury-decimated blueline for the Canadiens in 2021-22.
Schueneman did not make the Avs’ opening night roster this year, clearing waivers almost a week before rosters were due. The 28-year-old played just two games for the Eagles before getting a recall to the NHL roster last weekend to serve as extra depth on a three-game road trip on the East Coast. He didn’t get into a game during his recall, though, instead serving as a healthy scratch for all three contests against the Islanders, Penguins and Sabres.
Over his 31 NHL contests, all with the Canadiens, Schueneman has two goals and five assists for seven points. He’s averaged 16:10 per game and struggled to control possession relative to his teammates, posting an even-strength Corsi share of 45.1% and a relative Corsi share of -2.3% despite receiving favorable offensive zone usage. He did post a respectable 23 points and +13 rating in 62 contests with AHL Laval last season.
Schueneman, who’s due a guaranteed salary of $450K this season, is slated for UFA status in 2024.