SB Nation Denver - Avalanche Signs Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey To One Year Dealhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2011-09-09T13:57:02-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19299802011-09-09T13:57:02-06:002011-09-09T13:57:02-06:00Avalanche Sign D Kyle Cumiskey To One Year Contract
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> have finally signed all their restricted free agents <a href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=588051" target="_blank">after agreeing to terms</a> on a two-way deal with defenseman <span>Kyle Cumiskey</span>, just barely a week before the start of Training Camp.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_18861294" target="_blank">According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post</a>, the two-way contract is worth $708,000 while on the Avalanche roster, and $105,000 if he is sent down to the AHL Lake Erie affiliate.</p>
<p>Cumiskey is facing an uphill battle this upcoming season, as Colorado has turned away from the fast, light defensive style that was prevalent at the very beginning of last season. The roster now includes big, physical defensmen such as Ryan O'Byrne and <span>Erik Johnson</span>, along with free agent signings this offseason of players like <span>Jan Hejda</span> and Shane O'Brien. With Cumiskey's lack of size -- and significant injury history -- he likely represents quality depth for the season more than an impact player on the Opening Night roster. </p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/9/9/2415177/avalanche-sign-d-kyle-cumiskey-to-one-year-contractMuzia2011-07-13T20:14:40-06:002011-07-13T20:14:40-06:00Avalanche Sign D Shane O' Brien To One Year Contract
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<p><span>The <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Avalanche</a> continue to rebuild their defense -- an undersized unit last season, and a certain liability -- into a bigger, more physical front. Just days after agreeing to a one year contract with defenseman <span>Ryan Wilson</span>, the Avalanche have <a target="_blank" href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569282&navid=DL%7CCOL%7Chome">agreed to a one year contract</a> with free agent defenseman <span>Shane O`Brien</span>, 27, formerly of the <a href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nashville Predators</a> and <a href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vancouver Canucks</a>.</span></p>
<p>The contract is valued at $1.1 million.</p>
<p>O' Brien gives another second/third pairing veteran option for the Avalanche who suffered from a lack of defensive depth. The 6'3", 200 pound defenseman adds size and experience, and his signing likely portends another possible move, as O 'Brien plays a similar role to Ryan Wilson and Ryan O' Byrne -- who are both under contract. With <span>Erik Johnson</span>, <span>Kyle Quincey</span>, <span>Jan Hejda</span>, <span>Jonas Holos</span>, and <span>Matt Hunwick</span> already very likely to make the team (and top prospects <span>Cameron Gaunce</span>, <span>Tyson Barrie</span>, and <span>Stefan Elliott</span> close to NHL ready), at least one of these players is unlikely to make the Opening Night roster.</p>
<p>Defenseman <span>Kyle Cumiskey</span> was given a qualifying offer but has not yet reached a contract agreement. With the Avalanche move towards size, he appears likely to start the season in AHL Lake Erie. With the signing, Colorado is within $3 million of the salary floor, and will probably surpass it with a entry level contract to first round selection <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/13/2274816/avalanche-sign-d-shane-o-brien-to-one-year-contractMuzia2011-07-13T09:11:32-06:002011-07-13T09:11:32-06:00T.J. Galiardi Signs One Year Contract With Colorado Avalanche
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> are quickly coming to terms with their restricted free agents, <a target="_blank" href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569175&navid=DL%7CCOL%7Chome">as they have signed</a> winger <span>T.J. Galiardi</span> to a one-year deal worth $700,000.</p>
<p>Galiardi, a second round selection in 2007, was an impact player in 2009 during the Avalanche's surprising run to the playoffs. His versatile and gritty style, along with a tenacious forecheck, made Galiardi an incredibly valuable player. His 2010-2011 season was derailed by two separate wrist injuries and he only played in 35 total games (with limited effectiveness).</p>
<p>The Avalanche hope that Galiardi has fully recovered and can help bolster a very talented (but young) group of wingers, like first round pick <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span>, oft-injured <span>Peter Mueller</span>, new Swedish import <span>Joakim Lindstrom</span>, and <span>David Jones</span>. If healthy, this makes up one of the youngest groups in the NHL.</p>
<p>With this signing, Colorado has now agreed to terms with all their restricted free agents with qualifying offers except for defenseman <span>Kyle Cumiskey</span>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/13/2273827/t-j-galiardi-signs-one-year-contract-with-colorado-avalancheMuzia2011-07-09T18:01:14-06:002011-07-09T18:01:14-06:00Kevin Porter, Ryan Wilson Avoid Arbitration, Sign One-Year Deals With Avalanche
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<p><span>Kevin Porter</span> and <span>Ryan Wilson</span> won't be going to arbitration with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> at the end of July after all. On Saturday, the<a target="_blank" href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568979&navid=DL%7CCOL%7Chome"> team announced</a> that they agreed to terms with both players on one-year deals.</p>
<p>Porter arrived in Colorado in March 2010 when the Avalanche trade <span>Wojtek Wolski</span> to Phoenix for him and <span>Peter Mueller</span>. He picked up two goals and an assist in 16 games that season. In the 2010-11 season, the forward tallied 14 goals and 11 assists, averaging nearly 14 minutes on the ice.</p>
<p>Defenseman Ryan Wilson enjoyed a solid sophomore season in 2010-11 for the Avalanche. Picking up 16 points, Wilson also picked up 68 penalty minutes and averaged just under 20 minutes each game.</p>
<p>Both will face stiff competition at their respective positions with a bunch of excellent talent making its way up the chain.</p>
<p>On Friday, the <a target="_blank" href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568924">Avalanche announced the signings</a> of goalie <span>Cedrick Desjardins</span> and forward <span>Evan Brophey</span> among seven total deals.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Avalanche and their offseason plans, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/">Mile High Hockey</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/9/2268100/ryan-wilson-kevin-porter-avalanche-newsRuss Oates2011-07-05T16:51:15-06:002011-07-05T16:51:15-06:00Avalanche's Ryan Wilson, Kevin Porter File For Salary Arbitration
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<p>July 5 was the deadline for restricted free agents to file for salary arbitration, and two members of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> have decided to take this route.</p>
<p>The Avalanche currently have four restricted free agents who are unsigned, but have received qualifying offers from the club. Defenseman <span>Ryan Wilson</span> and forward <span>Kevin Porter</span> have decided<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhlpa.com/News/Media-Releases/Details.aspx?R=C010CF4E-6796-4581-8F18-12BE5FD5DC42"> to file for a hearing</a> prior to the start of next season's camp. If the two sides cannot reach a salary agreement before their scheduled hearing, their case will be heard by an independent arbiter who will decide what their proper compensation should be for next season.</p>
<p>After the hearing, the Avalanche will have 48 hours to decide whether or not to accept the arbitration ruling. If they deem the price to be worthwhile, then Wilson or Porter will automatically be under contract for next season. But if Colorado doesn't like the named price, they are free to withdraw any rights claims and the player immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent.</p>
<p>Wilson, an undrafted defenseman, made great strides on the ice last season with his physical presence. But with the current glut of potential defensemen waiting in the wings, including top prospects <span>Cameron Gaunce</span>, <span>Tyson Barrie</span>, and <span>Stefan Elliott</span>, he faces fierce competition heading into camp.</p>
<p>Porter, acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes">Phoenix Coyotes</a> in 2009 (along with <span>Peter Mueller</span> in the <span>Wojtek Wolski</span> trade) had an inconsistent season. The former Hobey Baker Trophy winner has never quite shown the consistent scoring touch he had in college, but still figures to be a productive bottom six forward. Again, however, Colorado has quite a few young forwards pushing their way onto the roster. Players like <span>Joey Hishon</span>, <span>Mark Olver</span>, and <span>Ryan Stoa</span> all figure into Colorado's plans this coming season.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/5/2260331/avalanches-ryan-wilson-kevin-porter-file-for-salary-arbitrationMuzia2011-07-03T07:30:30-06:002011-07-03T07:30:30-06:00Washington Capitals Sign Tomas Vokoun After Trading Semyon Varlamov To Avalanche
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<p>Remember right before free agency that it appeared the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> had a ton of interest in goalie <span>Tomas Vokoun</span>? And recall that the team would need to open up its checkbook to do so (hey, the Avalanche do need to reach that salary floor, right?).</p>↵<p>Well, <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/5/11/2165939/nhl-offseason-2011-avalanche">free agency started</a> and the Avalanche said, "Hey let's trade with the <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/1/2254748/semyon-varlamov-avalanche-washignton-capitals-trade-nhl-free-agency-2011">Washington Capitals for Semyon Varlamov.</a>" We'll need to wait until 2012 to see how that trade works out since the Caps received a 2012 first-round pick and a conditional second-rounder in either 2012 or 2013. Are the Avs giving up a lottery pick in a deep 2012 draft? Certainly the Caps appear to believe that is what they received.</p>↵<p>Oh, and Vokoun? Yeah, he signed a <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/ESPN_Burnside/status/87281223717756930">one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Capitals</a>. Kind of funny how things work out, right? I guess the team isn't that confident in either <span>Michal Neuvirth</span> or <span>Braden Holtby</span>. Vokoun and Neuvirth will be the team's Opening Night goalies while Holtby waits in the minors for another season or for an injury.</p>↵
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/3/2256606/tomas-vokoun-washington-capitals-goalieRuss Oates2011-07-02T19:20:22-06:002011-07-02T19:20:22-06:00Semyon Varlamov, Avalanche Agree On Three-Year, $8.5 Million Contract
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<p>After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> completed a trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> for goalie <span>Semyon Varlamov</span>, there were early reports that the team signed the netminder to a two-year, $5.5 million dollar deal. However, those contract details proved to be erroneous. On Saturday it was revealed (<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/capgeek/status/87231549292027904">via Capgeek</a>) that both sides agreed to a three-year, $8.5 million deal.</p>
<p>Varlamov will make $2.5 million in 2011 before taking in $3 million in each of the following seasons. His cap hit for each season will be $2,833,333. </p>
<p>Varlamov will enter training camp as the projected starter with recently-signed <span>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</span> his backup. The Avalanche traded <span>Craig Anderson</span> in February and let <span>Peter Budaj</span> and <span>Brian Elliott</span> (received in the Anderson trade) leave via free agency.</p>
<p>On Saturday, the goalie did <a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/post/statement-from-semyon-varlamov/2011/07/02/AG339suH_blog.html">issue a statement through his agent</a>, thanking the Capitals for his time there and wishing them best of luck. This came after Varlamov flirted with moving to Russia to play in the KHL after the Caps decided they didn't want to offer him a starter-level contract.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Avalanche and their offseason plans, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/">Mile High Hockey</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/2/2256586/semyon-varlamov-avalanche-contract-tradeRuss Oates2011-07-02T06:45:18-06:002011-07-02T06:45:18-06:00Tomas Fleischmann, Peter Budaj Leave Colorado Avalanche Via Free Agency
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<p>On the first day of the 2011 NHL Free Agency period, the <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/5/11/2165939/nhl-offseason-2011-avalanche">Colorado Avalanche made a splash by picking up four new players</a>: goalies <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> and <span>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</span>, winger <span>Chuck Kobasew</span> and defenseman <span>Jan Hejda</span>. Varlamov was acquired in a trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> for a 2012 first-rounder and a conditional second-rounder in either 2012 or 2013. He promptly signed a deal as a restricted free agent.</p>
<p>But those draft picks weren't the only things lost by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> on Friday. <span>Tomas Fleischmann</span> bolted for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> when presented with a four-year, $18 million deal. Fleischmann and the Avalanche had unfruitful talks about a new deal after his shortened season due to a blood clot. He had 12 goals and 31 points between the Avalanche and the Capitals.</p>
<p>The Avalanche also let both of their goalies at the end of the 2010-11 season leave through free agency. The team failed to offer a qualifying deal to <span>Brian Elliott</span>, who went 2-8-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 12 games after he was acquired in the <span>Craig Anderson</span> deal. He signed a one-year deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a> to back up Jan Halak. <span>Peter Budaj</span> (15-21-4, 0.895 SV, 3.20 GAA) signed a two-year, $2.3 million contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> to serve as <span>Carey Price</span>'s backup.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Avalanche and their offseason plans, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighhockey.com/">Mile High Hockey</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/7/2/2255404/avalanche-free-agents-2011-peter-budaj-tomas-fleischmannRuss Oates