Avalanche blue line takes shape with Graves signed, Toews in fold
Less than 24 hours during the tail end of NHL free agency, the Avalanche improved its defensive corps by losing some size, signing a key player and adding end- to- end skill.
Between trading 6- foot- 6, 235pound defenseman Nikita Zadorov to Chicago on Sunday and trading for defenseman Devon Toews from the New York Islanders
on Monday afternoon, Colorado signed defenseman Ryan Graves to a three- year contract, worth $ 9.5 million, according to a league source.
Graves, 25, made $ 735,000 in his breakout season of 2019- 20 and his excellent play made Zadorov expendable. Zadorov was traded to the Blackhawks for winger Brandon Saad in a fourplayer deal including two minorleaguers. Saad effectively solidifies the Avs’ top- six forwards.
After signing the 6- 5, 220pound Graves from restricted free agency, Colorado traded for Toews — who ran the Islanders’ No. 1 power play last season — to finalize the last of its top six defensemen. The 6- 1, 196- pound Toews, 26, is in need of a contract as a restricted free agent.
“Devon is a smart, two- way, puck- moving defenseman who plays 20- plus minutes a night,” Avalanche general manager Joe
Sakic said in a release. “He is a durable defender who is excellent in transition.”
The trade, which cost the Avs a pair of second- round picks in 2021 and 2022, appears to be an indication the team doesn’t believe young playmaking defensemen Conor Timmins and/ or Bo Byram are ready to become full- time NHLers. Timmins, 22, played just two regular- season games and two playoff games for the Avs. Byram, 19, was the first defenseman selected in the 2019 draft ( No. 4 overall) and is the NHL’s top prospect, according to The Hockey News.
Sakic, speaking on a Zoom call while Graves’ contract was being announced Monday, indirectly said his blueline will be fine without Zadorov’s size. Graves led the Avs in blocked shots and was second in hits last season.
“Ryan’s a big guy. He’s a defender. We feel with him, Erik Johnson, Ian Cole — they give us a physical presence,” Sakic said. “Cale Makar, he can play a physical style, too. You don’t want him banging out there, but he’s a strong kid ( and) doesn’t shy away.
“We feel like our defense is going to be fine.”
Graves and Makar were Colorado’s top- pairing last season and Graves led the NHL with a plus- 40 rating, highest ever by an Avs defenseman. Graves also led the Avs with 150 blocked shots, sixth- most in the league, and was second on the team with 112 hits.
Johnson was paired with Sam Girard most of this past season and Cole was often paired with Zadorov. Toews could now be in the mix with Cole.
In addition to Timmins and Byram, the Avs also have newcomers Dennis Gilbert, 23, and Kyle Burroughs, 25, who were acquired from the Blackhawks and Islanders, respectively, last weekend, plus Colorado Eagles regulars Jacob McDonald, Josh Anderson and Daniel Renouf. The Avs will need to sign another defenseman, or two, but those possible moves could be depth for the Eagles.
Footnote. The Avs have begun contract- extension negotiations with left wing and team captain Gabe Landeskog, Sakic said. Landeskog can be an unrestricted free agent after next season. Makar is a pending restricted free agent after 2020- 21 and he, too, can begin extension negotiations with the club.