Collective exhale.
After months of personnel inactivity, Colorado Avalanche management finally inked restricted free agent forward Chris Stewart to a new contract. Not surprisingly, it's a two-year deal that will pay Stewart a modest $2.5 million in 2011 and $3.25 million in 2012.
Stewart is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which he tallied 28 goals and 36 assists along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-four rating in 77 games. He added three goals in six playoff games.
Given that they sat roughly $6.5 million under the NHL's $43.4 million salary cap floor, Stewart's new $2.85 million cap hit will bring them closer to that floor, as will still-unsigned restricted free agent Peter Muller's contract when he signs it.
If rookie Kevin Shattenkirk secures a roster spot, the $1.3 million cap hit that he carries will likely put the Avalanche over the floor. But if Shattenkirk struggles in camp, Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman may have to make a signing or trade before the season starts.
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Article written by James Crider
Chris Stewart: Colorado Avalanche Ink RFA Forward to Two-Year Deal
September 2nd, 2010 by James Crider Leave a reply »
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