The Butcher. The Baker. The Unrestricted Free Agent Maker.
Welcome to the Butcher shop.
According to Adrian Dater, Will Butcher, the star defender from the University of Denver, has officially decided to test the UFA market in August 15.
“We informed the Avalanche of that decision,” Butcher’s agent, Brian Bartlett told BSN Denver.
“We appreciate what Colorado has done, and we’re not ruling out the Avalanche as a potential destination. But we just feel there will be other opportunities that should be explored too, and therefore we’re going (to the 15th).”
Joe Sakic and the Avs still have exclusive negotiating rights to Butcher until August 15.
The process is the same as that which was followed by Jimmy Vesey last summer.
Butcher will entertain all offers from NHL teams. There are expected to be several interested teams vying for Butcher's services. Colorado can still woo Butcher, however, it's not likely that the 2017 Hobey Baker will sign a contract with the Avalanche.
Butcher was selected by Colorado with the 123rd pick at the 2013 NHL Draft. The Avs had made contract offers to Butcher, however, he has declined to accept their contract offer.
Butcher was the engine that pulled the DU Pioneers to the 2017 NCAA men's ice hockey championship.
Butcher is a swift skating modern defenseman who plays the uptempo style that is popular in today's NHL. I see a lot of Anaheim Ducks star Sami Vatanen in Butcher. Nashville Predators D extraordinaire Ryan Ellis plays a similar style as Butcher.
Butcher can make the puck dance with his quick stick. At 5'11" and 190 lbs.
A product of the U.S. National Development Program, Butcher played four seasons at the University of Denver. In 158 career games with the Pioneers, Butcher scored 28 goals and 75 assists for 103 points.
In 2016-17, Butcher set career personal best for points (37) and games played (42). Butcher scored 7 goals and 37 assists last season.
Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley plays a five man attack system that features the D jumping into the rush and supporting the puck below the face off circles in the offensive zone.
Sabres GM Jason Botterill would be wise to hard sell Butcher an the benefits of playing for Housley in Buffalo.
Housley coached Butcher at the 2012 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo.
Butcher played with Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons at the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Butcher also played with Sabres Jack Eichel, Hudson Fasching and Sean Malone at the USNP.
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