Avalanche Bring Back Young Depth Forward

Colorado Avalanche have re-signed promising young Mikhail Maltsev to a one-year, $800,000 two-way contract. He will make $200,000 at the minor level.

Maltsev was a part of the trade that sent Ryan Graves to the New Jersey Devils to prepare themselves for the Seattle expansion draft. He may need a little more time to adjust to the NHL, but it appears as though he may not be able to transfer his game from the AHL level to the NHL level.

In 18 games with the Avalanche last season he didn't record a point after scoring six goals and nine points in 33 games with the Devils the season prior. Maltsev was very good in the AHL in 2021-22 though, scoring 17 goals and 48 points in 56 games. You will sometimes see players who have large roles in the minors struggle to find their role and contribute in the NHL, so it's tough for them to stick around.

The Avalanche lost Andrei Burakovsky and likely Nazem Kadri, so Maltsev will have his shot to stick around as he will compete with the likes of other promising prospects in Lukas Sedlak, Sampo Ranta, Martin Kaut, and Ben Meyers.

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