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Avs deal Berra for Grimaldi |
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Rick Sadowski
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The Avalanche on Thursday acquired forward Rocco Grimaldi from Florida for goalie Reto Berra.
Grimaldi, 23, is a highly skilled but small forward at 5-6 and 180 pounds. He was the Panthers' second-round pick (No. 33) in 2011. The Anaheim, Calif., native had three goals and two assists in 20 games with the Panthers this past season, with no points in two playoff games. He had 16 goals and 17 assists in 52 games with the Portland Pirates in the AHL.
Grimaldi played two seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he totaled 31 goals and 46 assists in 86 games. He was a member of Team USA's gold medal-winning team in the World Junior Championships in 2013.
Grimaldi has one year left on his entry-level contract worth $925,000, after which he'll be a restricted free agent.
The Avalanche acquired Berra, 29, from Calgary in March 2014 for a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. He went 5-8-0 in 14 games with Colorado this past season with a 2.41 goals-against average and .922 save percentage before sustaining an ankle injury while playing soccer before a game at the Pepsi Center.
Berra, who lost his backup job to Calvin Pickard, finished the year with San Antonio in the AHL. He went 7-7-0 there with a 3.39 average and .901 save percentage in 16 games.
Berra has one year left on his contract at $1.45 million, after which he'll be an unrestricted free agent. His overall record with the Avalanche was 10-13-2 with a 2.69 average and a 91.5 save percentage.
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Barring a trade, the Avalanche will have the No. 10 pick in the first round Friday at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
They have five picks Saturday: second round (No. 40), third (No. 71), fifth (No. 131), sixth (No. 161) and seventh (No. 191).
The Avalanche traded their fourth-round pick (and minor leaguer Colin Smith) in February to Toronto for forward Shawn Matthias, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
It's anyone's guess who the Avalanche will select with their first-round pick. As has been the case in recent drafts, they will take the player they deem to be the best available, regardless of position.
Some possibilities:
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6-2, 194); 11 goals, 38 assists, 51 penalty minutes in 62 games with Sarnia in the OHL; 2-6-8, 8 PIM in seven playoff games. Good skater, plays with an edge, son of former NHL defenseman Jeff Chychrun. His stock has apparently dropped some.
Center Logan Brown (6-6, 220); 21-53-74, 40 PIM in 59 games with Windsor in the OHL; 0-6-6, 6 PIM in five playoff games. Power forward, needs to work on skating; son of former NHL forward Jeff Brown.
Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (6-2, 221); 17-40-57, 56 PIM in 67 games with Windsor; 2-3-5, 8 PIM in five playoff games. Mobile, heavy shot. Probably won't be available, but you never know.
Center Clayton Keller (5-10, 165); 13-24-37, 14 PIM in 23 games with the U.S. Under 18 National Development Program. Small but skill and speed. Headed to Boston University.
Center Keiffer Bellows (6-0, 190); 16-16-32, 41 PIM in 23 games with U.S. Under 18 Team. Son of former NHL forward Brian Bellows, headed to Boston U.
Center Michael McLeod (6-2, 188); 21-40-61, 71 PIM in 57 games with Mississauga in the OHL; 3-6-9, 6 PIM in seven playoff games.
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Avalanche GM Joe Sakic is expected to meet with Tyson Barrie's representatives over the weekend in an attempt to sign the defenseman to a new contract. Barrie, 24, had 13 goals and 36 assists in 78 games.
For whatever it's worth, Keith Yandle, 29, just signed a seven-year contract with Florida that has a $6.35 million salary cap hit. The Panthers acquired his signing rights from the New York Rangers for a 2016 sixth-round pick; they'll also give up a fourth-round pick next year as a result of Yandle's signing. He had five goals and 42 assists in 82 games.
Alex Goligoski, 30, signed a five-year deal with Arizona with a $5.475 million cap hit. The Coyotes acquired his rights from Dallas for a fifth-round pick. He had five goals and 32 assists in 82 games.
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