AVS, BURAKOVSKY AGREE TO 1-YEAR DEAL
The Avalanche agreed to terms with forward Andre Burakovsky for the 2019-20 season. The 24-year-old Austrian, who was acquired in a June 28 trade with Washington as a restricted free agent, will collect a $3.25 million salary and be a pending RFA next summer.
In a bottom-six role, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Burakovsky had 25 points (12 goals) in 76 games for the Capitals last season. He is expected to get a top-six opportunity with the Avs, who are in need of more secondary scoring.
The Avs obtained Burakovsky for minor-league forward Scott Kosmachuk, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft and a third-rounder (previously acquired from Arizona) in 2020.
“We are excited to be adding a big, fast, skilled winger like Andre,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said on the day of the trade. “He already has a lot of NHL experience at a young age and is a Stanley Cup winner who has performed well in the playoffs. At just 24, he is entering the prime years of his career, and we feel with an added role, he will be a great addition to our team.”
The Avalanche still has a handful of restricted free agents in need of contracts, including all-star right winger Mikko Rantanen, who is bound to become the club’s top-paid player. The other RFAs include forwards J.T. Compher, Vlad Kamenev, A.J. Greer and Sheldon Dries.
Denver to host MLL championship weekend.
For the first time in Major League Lacrosse’s 19-year history, the league’s championship event is coming to Denver. MLL announced Denver as the host city for its championship weekend in October.
The University of Denver’s Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium will host the two semifinal games Friday, Oct. 4. The first game begins at 5 p.m., and the second will be played shortly after the conclusion of the first.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City will host the championship game, which will be played at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, and will be televised live on ESPN2.
Former Nugget Smith released by Cavs.
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ND» J.R. Smith’s nevera-dull-moment run with the Cavaliers is over.
Cleveland released the colorful shooting guard, who played for the Nuggets from 2005-11, before his $15.6 million contract for next season became guaranteed. The Cavs had been trying to trade Smith for months, but the team was unable to find the right deal even after he agreed to extend his guarantee date from June 30 to July 15.
By waiving Smith, the Cavaliers will open salary cap space and will move under the luxury tax threshold for next season.
The 33-year-old played in just 11 games last season after he stepped away from the team in hopes of being traded or released. It was a mutual decision because he wasn’t happy with his role and the Cavaliers didn’t want him to be a negative influence on their young players.
Sixers, Simmons agree to $170M deal.
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» The Philadelphia 76ers and star guard Ben Simmons agreed to a $170 million, five-year contract extension, a source said.
Simmons, 22, will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. His salary for the next season will jump to about $29.3 million and rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25.
Giants suspend safety Moore.
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Giants suspended safety Kam Moore amid charges he punched a woman, stepped on her neck and rendered her unconscious.
The alleged incident took place Thursday. Moore appeared in state Superior Court in Union County on Monday to face charges of third-degree aggravated assault.