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Avs’ Oskar Olausson Joins OHL’s Barrie Colts

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Oskar Olausson is making a change to his development path. The Colorado Avalanche’s 2021 first-round pick is making the jump to North America after playing exclusively in Sweden to this point. And while Olausson, who signed his entry-level contract earlier this month, will likely be in training camp with the Avs, it is unlikely that he will play in the pros this season. Instead, the OHL’s Barrie Colts have announced that Olausson has signed with the team and the press release implies that they expect him to be on the roster this season.

Olausson, the No. 28 overall pick last month, was selected in the first round of the NHL Draft in July but actually slipped to Barrie in the second round of the CHL Import Draft in June. A top draft talent who played professionally for much of last season, including spending time in the SHL with HV71, most CHL teams likely felt that Olausson was not a realistic target to switch to the major junior route. The Colts’ gamble will pay off, as they add one of the best players of the draft class and arguably the best non-pro prospect that the Avalanche own. Olausson joins fellow first round pick Brandt Clarke (LAK) and recent overage selection Ethan Cardwell (SJS) on a Barrie roster that hopes to make waves in the OHL’s return to action.

A slick skater and creative offensive talent, Olausson’s ability is apparent. However, the 6’2″ winger also has size and adjusting to the North American game prior to being thrown into the pro fire could be a massive boost to his development. Olausson won’t be leaving Sweden behind entirely this season either; the top prospect is likely to star for his country at the World Junior Championships as well. If all goes well at NHL training camp, at the WJC, and in his debut season in the OHL, it may not be out of the realm of possibility that he lands in Colorado next season.

Colorado Avalanche, Dennis Gilbert Avoid Arbitration

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The Colorado Avalanche won’t be going to arbitration this season after settling their one case with Dennis Gilbert. The two sides have agreed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750K at the NHL level, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The deal will come with an AHL salary of $160K and means the hearing scheduled for August 21 will no longer be needed.

Gilbert, 24, played just three games at the NHL level this season, spending more time with the Colorado Eagles than the Colorado Avalanche. Acquired as part of the Brandon Saad–Nikita Zadorov trade from last fall, Gilbert has just 25 NHL games under his belt to this point. A third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, it’s hard to really project him getting much time with the big club this season thanks to a long depth chart in Colorado.

Even in terms of an injury call-up, Gilbert could be behind names like Jacob MacDonald and Roland McKeown, meaning he’ll be playing a lot in the minor leagues this season. The deal they settled on comes with a nice AHL salary, likely something his camp was pushing for knowing that he may spend the year there. What a one-year contract also does is take Gilbert to Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer, unless he somehow works his way into a full-time lineup spot this season.

There are of course also waivers, which Gilbert will need to clear in order to play in the minor leagues. That wasn’t an issue last year as he bounced up and down untethered, moving from the taxi squad to the minor leagues without issue. There is certainly a chance someone takes a flier on him if he is exposed to waivers, though claims at the end of training camp are still relatively rare.

Oskar Olausson Signs Entry-Level Contract

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Another first-round pick has signed, as Oskar Olausson inks his entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. The young forward was selected 28th overall in this year’s draft. CapFriendly reports the deal carries $832,500 in base salary every season with a $92,500 signing bonus, meaning a cap hit and average annual value of $925,000

Olausson, 18, made his SHL debut this season, suiting up at the highest level in Sweden for 16 games. He recorded three goals and four points in those matches, but filled the scoresheet at the junior level, adding 14 goals and 27 points in 16 games for HV71’s U20 squad. A talented skater, the 6’2″ forward can drive wide with speed or cleanly enter the offensive zone under control, shifting gears quickly to shake defenders. His overall game still needs polish, but that can be said about almost any player selected in the back half of the first round.

As a first-round pick, the Avalanche could send Olausson to the minor leagues or return him to Sweden for more development but did not reveal their plans in the press release. No matter where he plays, he’ll be a top option for Sweden at the World Junior tournament, given he took part in it last year as well. His role on that team should increase, as should his playing time in the SHL if that’s where he spends this season.

Ryan Murray Signs With Colorado Avalanche

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One of the top remaining unrestricted free agents is now off the market. Defenseman Ryan Murray, ranked No. 22 in PHR’s Top 50 UFA’s and the fourth-highest ranked unsigned free agent has found a new home, at least for the time being. The Colorado Avalanche announced that they have signed Murray to a one-year, $2MM contract.

Murray, 27, could be quite the bargain for the Avs, coming off of a contract that paid him $4.6MM annually. The 2012 second overall pick may not be the two-way dynamo that many expected when he was drafted, but he has developed into a strong defensive player who can contribute modest offense as well. Murray is a solid positional defender who blocks shots and wins puck battles with regularity and can move the puck up the ice, making him an easy player to hand significant ice time. In 395 career games, Murray has recorded 124 points and 663 blocked shots in over 20 minutes per game.

The issue with Murray is health. The injury-prone blue liner has missed nearly 220 games in his career due to various ailments. However, at just $2MM Murray is well worth the gamble for the Avs. The team may have been looking for a veteran defenseman following the departure of Ryan Graves, but in reality Murray is a luxury for the team. With a top four of Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, Devon Toews, and Erik Johnson, budding youngster Bowen Byram, depth option Jacob MacDonald, and new addition Kurtis MacDermid, the Avalanche are more than capable of surviving a Murray injury absence.

Avalanche Signs Jordan Gross

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Colorado has added some depth on the back end, announcing the signing of defenseman Jordan Gross to a one-year contract.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports (Twitter links) that it’s a two-way agreement that pays $750K at the NHL level.

The 26-year-old was up with the Coyotes for all of last season but spent the majority of his time on the taxi squad before suffering a lower-body injury which cost him the final 14 games.  As a result, he only got into seven games with Arizona where he managed to pick up three assists.  With his age and lack of NHL experience (just nine career appearances), that qualified him for Group Six unrestricted free agency this summer.

Gross had been a productive piece from the back end with AHL Tucson in his first two professional campaigns, notching 25 and 27 points with the Roadrunners and it’s likely that element that drew interest from Colorado.  He’s likely to start the season in the minors but since he does have a little bit of offensive upside, Gross will be a candidate to be recalled whenever injuries arise.

Colorado Avalanche Sign Tyson Jost

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The Colorado Avalanche have checked off one of the final entries on their to-do list, signing Tyson Jost to a two-year contract. Jost was the team’s last restricted free agent at the NHL level. Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports that the deal will carry an average annual value of $2MM. GM Joe Sakic released a statement:

Tyson took a big step last year and was a key contributor to our team. He has worked hard to improve his game and earn a spot in our lineup. Tyson is a guy with a lot of character who competes at a high level day in and day out. We are excited to have him under contract for another two seasons.

Jost, 23, was the tenth overall pick in 2016 and though he is still waiting on an offensive breakout, the Avalanche trust him as a full-time bottom-six option that can help them moving forward. In 2020-21, he scored seven goals and 17 points in 54 games playing mostly with Valeri Nichushkin and Joonas Donskoi, a trio that unfortunately won’t be able to return for Colorado next season. Donskoi was snatched up by the Seattle Kraken in expansion, and after losing Brandon Saad to free agency, the Avalanche lines should have a slightly different look in 2021-22.

The biggest question is whether Jost, whose career-high is 26 points, will ever be able to step into a top-six role and succeed offensively. He’s already good enough in his own end to hold down a checking role, but there simply needs to be more scoring if he’s to become the next core piece in Colorado.

An offensive breakout would also benefit the young forward, as he’ll be an arbitration-eligible free agent once again at the end of this contract. In fact, he’ll be just a year away from unrestricted free agency, something he’s on schedule to reach at the age of 26 thanks to his early start in the NHL. It means these next two seasons are crucial from a financial standpoint, as the Avalanche hope to squeeze some extra value out of a $2MM cap hit while Jost hopes to set himself up for a big extension.

Colorado Avalanche Sign Dylan Sikura, Stefan Matteau

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After signing Darren Helm to help the bottom-six, the Colorado Avalanche have signed a pair of additional depth forwards. Dylan Sikura and Stefan Matteau have both inked one-year contracts for the 2021-22 season. Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports that Sikura will earn $800K at the NHL level and $450K at the AHL level, while Matteau will earn $750K in the NHL and $225K in the AHL.

Matteau, 27, was selected in the first round nearly a decade ago, but has just 91 NHL games and 11 points to his name. The 6’2″ forward has embraced his role as a physical fourth-line presence in recent years though and actually played 18 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season. Whether he gets that kind of opportunity in Colorado remains to be seen, but their depth chart at forward is a little deeper with him in the mix.

Sikura too had NHL experience this season, playing six games for the Vegas Golden Knights in the regular season and even suiting up twice in the playoffs. He spent most of the year with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL, scoring 22 points in 30 games, but could be an option if Colorado faces injuries this season. In 53 career NHL games, the Northeastern University star has 16 points.

The Avalanche did say goodbye to several players this summer, but the forward group remains deep and talented. With their eyes set on the Stanley Cup once again, the team may add even more of these fringe players to make sure that they have options if some of their higher-paid players are unavailable. Still, there is enough money left under the cap for Colorado to make another more expensive addition, after missing out on Philipp Grubauer. Even taking into account Tyson Jost’s expected deal, there’s a bit of wiggle room for GM Joe Sakic and the rest of the front office.

Darren Helm Inks Deal With Colorado Avalanche

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Longtime Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm has signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the deal carries a $1MM cap hit.

Come October, Helm will be playing his first NHL game outside of the Detroit Red Wings organization. After 14 seasons in Detroit, which included 744 games and a Stanley Cup ring, Helm will be departing for Denver for what could be his last season in the NHL. Helm’s dealt with constant injury issues, mainly concussions, throughout his career. He’s still managed to tally over 100 goals and 250 points over the course of his career. Last season was a career-worst for the 34-year-old, however, scoring just eight points in 47 games.

Helm carries limited upside for the Avs, but brings a gritty veteran presence to what is shaping up to be a very youthful and inexperienced bottom-six forward group. While his scoring ability is non-existent, Helm’s still been a good defensive forward on a team that hasn’t played much defense in recent seasons. He likely slots in as the team’s fourth-line center, possibly a direct replacement for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. It looks to be a solid bet for the Avs, who gain a dependable defensive presence to aid their youth.

Colorado Avalanche Acquire Darcy Kuemper

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The Colorado Avalanche missed out on retaining their starting goaltender when Philipp Grubauer decided to sign with the Seattle Kraken, but have found a replacement. The Avalanche have traded defenseman Conor Timmins, a 2022 first-round pick and a conditional 2024 third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Darcy Kuemper. 

The Avalanche can likely afford a price like that, given how many good young defensemen they already have in the organization, but it’s still a lot to pay for a goaltender under contract for just one season. There’s obviously a chance he will sign an extension with Colorado, but until he does, the Avalanche are pushing a few important chips to the middle after losing the bidding on Grubauer. During today’s TSN coverage of the trade deadline, Pierre LeBrun explained that Frederik Andersen was Colorado’s backup plan if they couldn’t re-sign Grubauer, but the former Toronto Maple Leafs netminder couldn’t wait and ended up with the Carolina Hurricanes when a strong offer was tabled.

There was really no other option for the Avalanche after the goalie carousel had stopped spinning today. The team needed a strong, experienced option that could potentially help them contend for the Stanley Cup, and those weren’t readily available on free agency or the trade market. Kuemper was the obvious choice, given his strong play over the last few years and overall NHL resume.

In 242 appearances, the 31-year-old netminder has posted a .917 save percentage, including a .922 in his three years with Arizona. He finished fifth and seventh in Vezina voting the two years previous to this season, and recently led Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship. He will now be asked to carry a heavy load for the Avalanche, splitting time with Pavel Francouz but being the obvious starting option. Kuemper’s never really had this kind of a dominant team in front of him, except perhaps for the start of 2017-18 when he served as the backup for the 45-29-8 Los Angeles Kings. During that 19-game stretch, he posted a 10-1-3 record with a .932 save percentage, numbers the Avalanche hope repeat now that he’s on a Cup contender in Colorado.

For Arizona, today played out perfectly as they waited to move Kuemper until a team was in a desperate situation. The team will not only add another high pick to their overflowing cupboard–they will now pick seven times in the first two rounds of 2022—but also bring in Timmins, a legitimate defense prospect that could very well slide in on the top pairing beside Jakob Chychrun. It’s not that Timmins projects to be that high on most depth charts, but the Coyotes only have a few NHL-level defensemen on the books.

The team has been desperately needing an influx of young talent and GM Bill Armstrong has done exceptional work this offseason to bring it in. The team has used cap space several times to add assets, while also flipping their most valuable pieces for future talent. Kuemper was unlikely to be in net the next time the Coyotes were competitive, so why not move him now when the price is so high.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider was first to report the trade

Colorado Avalanche Sign Roland McKeown

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Some defensive depth is heading to Denver. After a season spent overseas on loan in Sweden, former Carolina Hurricane Roland McKeown has signed with the Colorado Avalanche. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that it is a one-year, two-way deal for the two-way blue liner at the minimum $750K NHL salary and a $225K AHL salary.

A 2014 second-round pick, McKeown has yet to really pan out in the NHL. Seemingly always on the cusp of a job with the Hurricanes, the 25-year-old only actually has ten NHL games to his credit, all coming back in 2017-18. A plus player at every level with good AHL scoring numbers, as well as now a decent season in the SHL, plus a valued right-handed shot, McKeown seems like a player that would have earned more NHL opportunity, but it has not occured.

While the easy excuse is to cite Carolina’s impressive defensive depth of late, that isn’t going to change in Colorado. The Avalanche are well-stocked on the blue line as well, in both the NHL and AHL. It would seem that he would be no better than ninth on the depth chart to begin the year. However, that is not considering the fact that he is one of only three right-handed defenders with NHL experience in the organization. If McKeown can get off to a strong start and injury befalls a righty, such as injury-prone veteran Erik Johnson, perhaps McKeown will finally get his shot.

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