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25 Years Old • Male

Meet the New Avs

Posted 7:53 PM ET | Comments 2
July 1st 2014 began very horribly for Colorado Avalanche fans as they found out Centre Paul Stastny signed a 4 year (overpaid) contract with rival St. Louis Blues.

As the day went on, the Avalanche made a few moves that could be questionable yet could turn out to be great.

What Colorado got:

Jesse Winchester, 30, had 18 points (9g/9a) in 52 games for the Florida Panthers this past season. He is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound center that has appeared in 285 career NHL games between the Panthers and Ottawa Senators, recording 70 points (20g/50a). He has a very good up side to his defensive side of the game, making him decent on the P.K.

Zach Redmond, 25, appeared in 10 games for the Winnipeg Jets this past season, notching three points (1g/2a). Originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the seventh round (184th overall) of the 2008 Entry Draft. Redmond has seven points (2g/5a) in 18 career NHL games with the Jets.

Bruno Gervais, 29, has appeared in 418 career NHL games, in those 48 games he has 87 points (16g/71a) with the New York Islanders (2005-11), Tampa Bay Lightning (2011-12) and Philadelphia Flyers (2012-13).

Ben Street, 27, played 13 games for the Flames last season obtaining 1 assist. In 19 career games, Street has 2 assists and 0 goals.

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The biggest name landed was that of Iggy!

Jarome Iginla, 37, celebrated his 37th birthday today by signing a 3 year contract that lands him an avg. of 5.3 mil per season. The former Calgary Flame captain has appeared in 1310 games notching 560 goals, 607 assists and 1167 points. He has appeared in 80 playoff games tallying 67 points (36G/31A.) Iginla carries 15 - 20+ goal seasons, 12 - 30+ goal season, 3 - 40+ goal seasons and 2 - 50+ goal seasons. Along with that he is a 2-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard, 1-time Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson (Ted Lindsey), King Clancy memorial and Mark Messier Leadership Award Trophy winner. It is safe to say Colorado has obtained a leader than has almost done is all.... (Next Mission 16)

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Prior to ANY of this Colorado made a few trades, the first of which had some unhappy fans:

Colorado Avalanche trade P.A. Parenteau and their 5th round pick in 2015 to Montreal for Daniel Briere.

Parenteau departs Colorado with 291 Career games played, 73 goals 132 assists and 205 points. He received the first 7 playoff games of his career with Colorado against the Minnesota Wild where he scored 1 goal and added 2 helpers for 3 points.

5th Round Pick - TBD

Who we got back:

Meet Daniel Briere aka Danny Briere, 36, will be 37 in October, Briere is a former captain of the Buffalo Sabers who acquired Danny from the Phoenix Coyotes in 2002-03. Since he was drafter 24th overall in 1996 Briere has had 4 - 30+ goal season and 7 - 20+ goal seasons. He has skated in 916 career games posting 684 points (299G/385A.) It is safe to say the Briere's 300th career goal will come in a Colorado Avalanche uniform. Danny also has 124 career playoff games with nearly a point per game, 116 points - 53 goals and 63 assists. Colorado adds another Vet with experience in all the league, regular and most importantly post-season.

THE SECOND TRADE:

This trade saw the Avalanche send their 2nd round 2016 and their 6th round 2017 draft picks to San Jose in exchange for former Sharks captain Brad Stuart.

Brad Stuart, 34, Stuart is the only pick up as of July 1st 2014 to bring with him a Stanley Cup ring - which he received after winning with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. Stints with San Jose, Boston, Calgary, Los Angeles and Detroit have Stuart at 985 career games played seeing him land 322 points, (77G/245A.) He brings a veteran presences to the blue line along with 142 playoff games and 40 points, (10G/30A.) A former 3rd overall pick that Colorado hopes can help their young defense.

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Yes the Avalanche lost P.A Parenteau and Paul Stastny but they gain some grit, determination and a ton of leadership.

Combine the Avs shed 829 games played, 233 goals, 430 assists, 663 points in the regular season and 29 playoff games played 9 goals, 12 assists, 21 points. Yet they gain, 3211 games played, 936 goals, 1237 assists, 2173 points in the regular season and 346 playoff games played, 99 goals, 124 assists, 223 points. The experience of these 3 players along will build winners in Matt Duchene, Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and the rest of your Colorado Avalanche. Is it still biter? It should be, but when Colorado shocks the NHL again, do not forget how it happened. Sacrifice.

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Colorado is nearing the cap level and still need to sign RFA's; Ryan O'Reilly, Stefan Elliott, and Tyson Barrie. All three will want decent contracts so watch to see if maybe Colorado makes another move that could land another experienced D-man or some future draft picks. With O'Reilly more than likely getting $5.25M for at least 1 season the Avs will be flirting with about 5 million to sign the other two kids they have. Maybe Sakic works some magic and signs all three but only time will tell. Hearing the Marty Brodeur is still out there, which could still have the Avalanche interested.
July 2, 2014 9:33 AM ET | Delete
Avs fans all say "overpaid" because they could re-sign Stastny. Sour grapes are unprofessional.
July 2, 2014 10:15 AM ET | Delete
Hahaha, look at the lack of production by Stastny who makes more than Toews, Kane, Kopitar, etc. only guys that really make more are Crosby, malkin and ovechkin. Stastny is NO WHERE near as skilled as those guys much less as big a leader. Overpaid, yes by far.
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