Avalanche Re-Sign McLeod, Jones, Hunwick

The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have re-signed right wing Cody McLeod to a three-year contract worth $3.5 million, right wing David Jones to a four-year contract worth $16 million, and defenseman Matt Hunwick to a two-year contract worth $3.2 million.  McLeod's deal will average out to $857,000 per season, while Jones' contract will pay him $4 million per season.  Hunwick's deal will average out to $1.6 million per year.  All three players would have been unrestricted free agents on July 1.  In 75 games last season, McLeod had six goals and five assists for 11 points and 164 penalty minutes, while Jones had 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points in 72 games.  In 33 games last season, Hunwick had three goals and three assists for six points.  He was a healthy scratch for much of the 2011-12 season.

These aren't bad moves for the Avalanche, as all three players will add some depth to the team.  McLeod will continue to bring lots toughness and grit to the forward lines, while Jones brings plenty of offensive depth and goal scoring ability to the team.  However, $4 million per season for his skill level is a bit high and will likely set the bar in free agency for players of similar skill.  Hunwick has some puck-moving ability and will likely play as a sixth or seventh defenseman over the next two years.

Avalanche Sign David Jones to One-Year Contract

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have signed right wing David Jones to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 77 games last season, he had 27 goals and 18 assists for 45 points. Not a bad signing for the Avalanche, as Jones was one of the top offensive producers on the team last season. He brings plenty of offensive and goal-scoring skill to the team, as well as some versatility. He will likely play a top-six role on the Avalanche once again next season.

Avalanche Sign Forward Haydar, Re-Sign Five Others

The Colorado Avalanche added a slew of depth players to their roster on Monday by signing right wing Darren Haydar to a contract and re-signing right wings David Jones and Brian Willsie, left wings Chris Durno and Matt Hendricks, and goaltender Tyler Weiman to new contracts as well. The exact length and financial terms of all five deals were not disclosed. Haydar did not appear in any NHL games last season and spent the entire season with the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. In 79 games with Grand Rapids, he scored 31 goals and 49 assists for 80 points. In 22 career NHL games, all with the Atlanta Thrashers, Haydar has one goal and seven assists for eight points. Jones appeared in 40 games last season for the Avalanche, scoring eight goals and five assists for 13 points. He missed the last 34 games of the 2008-09 season with a shoulder injury. Willsie appeared in 42 games for the Avalanche last season, scoring one goal and three assists for four points. In 376 career games with the Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and Los Angeles Kings, he has 52 goals and 56 assists for 108 points. Durno appeared in two games last season with the Avalanche, scoring no points. He also played in 76 games with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, scoring 18 goals and 27 assists for 45 points and 131 penalty minutes. Hendricks appeared in four games with the Avalanche last season, scoring no points. In 43 games with Lake Erie last season, he scored 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points and 71 penalty minutes. Weiman did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 44 games with Lake Erie. He posted a 21-20-2 record, eight shutouts, a 2.46 GAA, and a .915 save percentage.

Aside from Jones and Weiman, these are all really just depth signings for the Avalanche. Jones has lots of offensive potential and could become a top-six forward for the team one day. For now, he will likely provide offensive depth to the third or fourth line. Haydar has been a tremendous player at the minor league level, showing off some impressive offensive and goal-scoring skills, but has been unsuccessful at applying those skills at the NHL level. In the long run, he will likely be just a fourth line depth forward at the NHL level. Willsie will provide plenty of veteran experience and depth to the Avalanche’s fourth line, but don’t expect to see much offensive contribution from him, as his production has been in decline for the past few seasons. Durno and Hendricks have been very physical forwards who can jump into the play offensively at the minor league level, but are nothing more than physical fourth line forwards at the NHL level. They likely won’t play many games for the Avalanche next season, but if they do, it will be because of an injury. Weiman wasn’t too bad last season with Lake Erie, playing solidly when called upon. He has the potential to be a back-up at the NHL level, and could start challenging Peter Budaj for that role as early as next season.