Avalanche Sign Goaltender Budaj, Forward Koci to One-Year Deals

The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have signed goaltender Peter Budaj and left wing David Koci to one-year contract extensions. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Both players would have been unrestricted free agents on July 1. In 15 games last season with the Avalanche, Budaj posted a 5-5-2 record, one shutout, a 2.64 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. Koci appeared in 43 games with the Avalanche last season, scoring one goal and adding 84 penalty minutes. These aren't bad depth signings for the Avalanche. Even though he struggled as the starting goaltender, Budaj has been fairly steady as a backup in Colorado. Along with starter Craig Anderson, the team has a fair amount of talent in goal for next season. Koci is a very tough and gritty forward who will stand up for his teammates. Look for him to continue to play the enforcer role in Colorado next season, but don't expect a lot of offensive production from him.